So you're laying in your bed it's 3:00 A.M. and you haven't slept at all, why? well because you don't like going to school for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is the subject of my next column: Not Fitting In. Now what does it mean to "not fit in?" It can mean any number of things, including but not limited to:

1.Being socially underdeveloped(For more on this click here or here)
2. Being just plain disliked by peers.
3. Wanting be Different.


The third thing in that list is going to be my main focus today. When we think "different" we consider that someone who "goes against the grain," or violates practices that we consider to be normal. But as of late it has come to my attention that to be "normal" nowadays means to be different.....like everyone else. Now you're reading this probably saying, "But Myles that's an oxymoron, you moron!!!" Well kiddies let me explain what I mean and what better example to then Mr. Irregular himself Johnny Rotten of The Sex Pistols, here's a guy who with the help of a equally rebellious crew, fought normal for years in his music and public antics.

Now back to my point, back in his prime and even today Johnny is viewed as THE symbol for breaking the status quo, so kids everywhere look to him and people like The Ramones for guidance on being different, but unfortunately that "being different" has become the norm. Kids nowadays (I'm still a kid myself at 19 years old, so label me a hypocrite if you so wish) seem to have lost the respect for what these guys stood for and are wearing these t-shirts, and other apparel because it's considered "cool."

Now if these kids were (like me) raised on the music it's ok for them to preach the beliefs, etc. of these bands, but don't get me wrong I'm not lashing out at the new generation of kids who are exposing themselves to the music. I'm just saying that if your gonna do something at least know why, beyond the fact that it's "cool" to do so. Being different is no longer what it used to be, because we pride ourselves on it so much that it, in itself has become a form of conformism.

Now thats not to say it's impossible to be different that is simply conformism outside the box (ie. being raised as and praying at a Roman Catholic every Sunday, yet also devoutly following the teachings of Buddha at the same time,) people do that all the time. Why because to many (myself included) Buddhism is more than a religion its a way of life and I have found a way to blend my left-wing Liberal-Socialist/Leninist views with a very right-wing protective system that keeps my faith in a higher being (not necessarily god) grounded and in the same token I maintain an at times gory, brutal sense of honesty, and reality whereby I don't conform to one particular group, nor do I conform to no group at all.

Well, here's your spoonful of cocaine, come see me in one week
Signing-Off

Myles Taylor


Sources

Labels: all, conformism, funny, humans, opinion