Why do people so strongly want me to conform to society?

Question

It is my nature to see everything from an innovative, out-of-the-box approach. But when I question long-standing traditions, governments, schools, theories, etc. with unconventional, new, innovative ideas, I found great pressure to conform to those ideas which are considered normal, civilized, accepted, or politically correct.

Why do people object so strongly those who chose the harder path of pioneering new ideas? Why are people so eager to silence and hide, banish, or even kill those who depart from their sense of social acceptability? What is so threatening about new ideas?

Buttons and Space_cadet both have good points about people wanting to be right and thinking that innovation is for wierdos. I see that in people's responses to me.

Intel_knight has a good point about weeding out ideas to a manageable size, but my experience with promoting my ideas seems to strengthen others' initial reactions; more in line with Space_cadet's assessment.

I'll provide a couple of examples hoping that they do not distract from the original question.

On a current event, I question the health (mentally and physically) of the celebration of Halloween. That said, I support "trunk-or-treat" parties (last Sat) as the costums, activities, and environment are much more positive, social, and controlled for my children. "Normal" people take strong issue with my health concerns regarding the traditional practices of their holidays.

On psychological diseases, I have long questioned the disregard for spiritual methodologies and the use of medicine to suppress the functions of the mind. Also, the qualifications of normal people to exclude themselves from these groups of people both socially and philosophically. I have long speculated how similar "normal" people are to "abnormal" people. Normal people naturally are uncomfortable with the idea that they also see unreal things on a more "normal" level.

Answer 1

People tend to think that an idea that is not theirs is simply wrong. Personally I hate when people are politically correct, or close-minded. Since most people shoot you down let me tell you to keep thinking like you are! Don't let anybody change your thoughts.

Answer 2

I am pretty much an original thinker and not at all opposed to unconventional ideas. At the same time, however, there is - in reallity - often things about traditions that have some value in them. The person who doesn't see the value in some of them may be more ready to toss them out than the person who has seen the value in them. Sometimes what is lost by tossing out some traditions is too costly.

When it comes to what is considered "normal" there are, in fact, some things that show a normal, well adjusted, individual, whether or not he/she thinks conventionally or not. There is a range of what is established as normal (by people in fields such as psychology) and people with conventional or unconventional thinking who go outside that range would not be considered "normal".

What is civilized is the same kind of thing as tradition is - There are benefits from a certain degree of being civilized, and someone who doesn't see those won't understand why, for example, people aren't allowed to, say, stand on tables in restaurants.

Political correctness: While political correctness can at times get a little out of hand, the fact is I discovered that I've grown up being pretty politically correct long before the rest of the world discovered it. What happened was I was raised by old fashioned parents who taught their children to respect all other people, to take care of the Earth and not waste resources, not to smoke, to eat healthy food, that girls can be anything, that boys have feelings too, that its awful to kill animals for their fur, and any number of beliefs that have to do with respecting oneself and others and the world. I was living my life, minding my business, and suddenly I realized that our culture had started to catch on to the things I'd been taught years ago as a child and just grew up believing. My point is that there is something to be said for a good percentage of political correctness because it means our culture has improved its values in many ways. As with everything, though, some people are not able to reason out some of the gray areas and take it too far. If, however, something isn't "politically correct" there is also the chance it is not respectful or understanding or caring enough of other people or the Earth.

Socially acceptable: There are things that are socially acceptable because they are things that are positive and that contribute to, or at least don't take away from, society. Generally, what is socially acceptable is also what is considered well adjusted; so all the arguments for well adjusted apply to socially acceptable as well.

So, having attempted to establish that "normal", "civilized", "socially acceptable" and "politically correct" are generally good things; I'd just like to make one other comment on tradition before moving on: An example of a tradition that may seem stupid or meaningless is the tradition of celebrating holidays. Some people find them stupid or meangingless, but sometimes people who don't even believe in whatever the original meaning of a holiday is will celebrate it because a life of having one day run into another and one month run into another without ever taking time to have something a little special isn't mentally/emotionally healthy for people in the long run (or for a society as a whole). Taking some time to get family or friends together is nurturing to human souls. So is a bunch of holiday flowers on a table or sharing some special food. What is gained from something like holidays really is a very healthy thing both for individuals and society - and that's why they have survived.

Some things - like literary classics or classical music - survive because they have some value that many people see.

Having said all that, when it comes to innovative ideas that may contradict existing theories or otherwise rock boats people do tend to be very negative about what is new and different. Many people do not have "rock the boat" mentality, and they are actually nervous about anyone doing or saying anything that may rock boats. Sometimes people have more at stake than boat-rocking as well. Sometimes if people believe what the innovative thinker proposes they will have to also believe that what they've thought all along has been wrong, and sometimes if they face that they will also have to face some painful consequences that have resulted from their being wrong. Sometimes its just too much for people to be able to face having possibly been wrong.

People who are not very creativie or innovative thinkers may have less of a "picture" to see than the innovative person has. If they saw a bigger picture the new idea wouldn't look as wacky as it does; but with the small picture they see there just isn't room for any new ideas.

I tend to think that the innovative, out-of-the-box, idea that is also socially acceptable, civilized, and normal may be a more impressive thing; because it is really pretty easy to think up "out-of-the-box" stuff that just breaks all the rules. Proving that an existing theory may be wrong is one thing. Proving that behavior that isn't socially acceptable should be acceptable is another.

You are correct that people are eager to silence or banish others who think differently, and what may be the worst thing is that the person who has socially acceptable, normal, civilized, ideas may still get a lot of crap from people who don't want to consider new ideas. That definitely goes on, and its sickening.

I do think, though, that the fact that you brought up the particular group of words you have ("normal", "civilized", ......correct') that there may the the chance the ideas you have in mind may actually be less innocuous than you may believe they are. Just a thought.

Answer 3

well most people who have out-of-the-box theories about the world are weirdos. you have to fight that preconception off the bat. and if your questioning long held beliefs by definition people will disagree and if you do it strongly and repetitively people may think less of you.

can you give us an example of one of your theories?
i'll start with one, perhaps offensive.

the high divorce rate in the US may be linked to the obesity problem in the US.
I have many more theories also. haven't been criticized for any of my theories quite yet.

Answer 4

this is a process of filtering out useless ideas - only the best ideas survive.

society is does not have resources or time to try all ideas, so a weeding out process is necessary.

And if you're not willing to work to promote you ideas, why should anybody else care about them?

Answer 5

If your approach is so " out of the box ", why would you even take notice of this great pressure to conform? Real " out of the boxer's" operate oblivious to others.

Answer 6

Maybe because your individuality threatens them...they cant cope with things outside the ' norm ' Sad for them...

Answer 7

It's natural tendency, they feel it's "what humans do" you being human you must do it too. It's natural for their minds to think that way, but it's also natural for you to do your own thing if you so chose to.

Answer 8

I am a nonconformist, nothing makes people madder,

Answer 9

I hear you pal.