Doesn't conformity grow out of everyone trying to be an "individual"?

Question

I was just thinking, if everyone is trying to stand out, then everyone is trying to do the same thing, but if everyone is trying to do the same thing, then everyone is conforming to the ideas of everyone else, right?

Answer 1

Whoa dude! You are such a deep thinker! You are awesome, totally like an Einstine or sumthin!

Answer 2

I'm not seeing enough people trying to be individuals. What I am seeing is a whole lot of people conforming to the ways of one political party or another. I am seeing people hiding behind their religions - and behind their lack of relgions. I am disgusted at seeing both parents in a two-parent household never seeing their children--because they have to conform and have everything their neighbor does.

People are conforming to the dress codes of others, the morality codes of others, the mind-altering codes of others. Few stand alone as individuals, and this is truly a sad thing.

Answer 3

People have different ideas of success. Personal success is what we strive for. Professional success is secondary. You have to conform to the rules of your chosen profession for better or worse. Where is with personal success you completely govern your choices. No ones idea is going to match an others on a personal level. Professionally general consensus rules.

Answer 4

In action, yes, we would all be conforming by trying to be individuals... Interesting point. But in the actual standing out part -through use of unique speech, clothing choice, sense of humor, preferences, relationships, etc. -- we would still be individuals. :)

Answer 5

To an extent. But I think you're playing with semantics here.
Everybody needs to do some conforming, or no one would understand the words coming out of your mouth-
or keyboard.

Answer 6

In a sense, yeah, but no!!