Are you an individual?

**mllebrie** · 11-05-2011, 04:03 PM

Who here thinks that they're unique? That you stand out from the crowd? What is it about you that accomplishes this?

I would say I am. I have an offbeat sense of humor, I listen to classical music and oldies, I read history books for fun, and I wear mismatched socks. Half of the people who claim to be individualistic, however, are nothing of the sort, and just blend into some sort of "individualistic" herd.

Who thinks they truly are different? And why?

**Bisclavret** · 11-05-2011, 04:05 PM

I don't even know where to start...

---------- Post added 11-05-2011 at 07:15 PM ----------

Here's some random facts:

- I listen to music from various eras, from long before I was born to modern samples. I also like music from cultures outside of my own, even when they are sung in languages that I do not understand (i.e. Japanese).
- I question everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, especially myself. I don't see the same level of introspection and self-questioning in most people.
- I am anti-traditional, anti-nationalist, and non-conformist (no I do not conform to counter culture).
- I have a "mind of my own" (I believe what I believe for my own reasons and not because any outside force tells me so).
- I don't party, drink, eat out, watch tv, or partake in any "normal" activities for my age group.
- I am highly imaginative (I write).
- I wear urban military garb even though I am "anti-war".
- I am a pluricultural individual.
-etc.

I realize however that these traits don't translate into any form of individualization, they being more of a reflection of my internal sense of individuality. The traits alone mean nothing, it is what they signify which give them importance.

I realize too that all people vary from one another to some extent, therefore it would be wrong for me to assume that nearly everyone is the "same" and that I alone am "unique". I feel that the impression of being out of the norm that I have about myself pertains moreso to the notion that I haven't met many people like myself (which the specific combination of traits and preferences that I possess). I aware however that many of the facets that make me "me" are possessed by other human beings as well. All the same, I am that I am; I am an individual.

**Distance** · 11-05-2011, 04:20 PM

Similar culture socialisation cookie cuts similar individuals. From this point of variable homogeny, individuation efforts will vary.

As far as the questions asked, are they even significant? The questions assume it's the outwards that defines the inwards, without external valuation there is no value within. A very shallow view of the purpose for individuation.

**Still Standing** · 11-05-2011, 04:29 PM

A person doesn't have to stand out from the crowd to exist as a distinct, separate entity. Some just avoid the crowd and do their thing without getting noticed.

	Originally Posted by Distance To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	The questions assume it's the outwards that defines the inwards, without external valuation there is no value within. A very shallow view of the purpose for individuation.

Yeah, that's sort of what I meant. But anyway, as I've said several times here, I'm a nudist and a lifelong minimalist (i.e. not a hoarder nor a big consumer of anything,), as well as a near-vegetarian, and I disagree with many of the precepts in the nudist, simple living and vegetarian movements.

I listen to (and play) mostly classical music and I work odd hours. When I was a bit more artistic (in my early 20s,) I'd make a type of texturized abstract art I hadn't seen elsewhere, as well as figurative images with postage stamps.

I'm estranged from the few extended family members I have left and I'm not about to have a family of my own. I don't believe any opinion or theory is ever completely right or completely wrong. I've never met anyone like me.

**kari** · 11-05-2011, 04:53 PM

technically everybody is unique as unique just means one of a kind, and however similar many people seem to be, no two people are identical.

as for standing out in a crowd...it depends what crowd youre in. some you are going to stand out less than others. for example...you say you listen to classical music, you might think that makes you stand out from a majority of people, and it very well may...but in attendance at a professional orchestra concert, it doesnt really set you apart at all.

**CaelestisPeste** · 11-05-2011, 05:00 PM

I don't believe an individual should merit the judgment of exclusivity by his or her interests and appearance alone. I'm an individual in consideration to Descartes', "Cogito ergo sum".

**deckard** · 11-05-2011, 05:01 PM

I used to, but not anymore. Unless looking haggard and disheveled counts. I don't listen to pop music, but then I'm sure it isn't all as popular as they claim anyway. The only thing that seems to set me apart, would be my boundless capacity to be and do life the alone way.

**Nelwyn** · 11-05-2011, 05:22 PM

I guess everyone is by definition an individual, but in large groups attributes average out. If "truly different" means to be not that average in one or more attributes...well, everyone will diverge from the average anyway to begin with. You might be of the opinion you're much different in one or more aspects, then I recommend you to keep the following in mind:


	Closely related to overconfidence is the “above average” effect. People perceive themselves as being better than others on most desirable attributes, including honesty, cooperativeness, health, intelligence, managerial skill, and even driving ability (Babcock & Loewenstein, 1997; Larwood & Whittaker, 1977).

From the very good article "What have we learned from our mistakes?" published in a book about decision analysis (
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
). Overall people are pretty bad in personal statistics and the encounters you have through you're life won't have (in most cases) a significant relevance in regard to statements such as "I've never met someone who did this or that like I do".

I'm different and I never met anyone like me, but I don't expect me to be far from average...that's okay with me
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

**what yeah okay** · 11-05-2011, 05:26 PM

I'm unique, because I'm actually a living collective of anarcho-syndicalist nanobots.

**deckard** · 11-05-2011, 05:41 PM

	Originally Posted by deckard To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I used to, but not anymore.

Oh great, now I'm not an individual. This is not going to look good on my portfolio.

**BellaBianca** · 11-05-2011, 05:51 PM

Frankly, I have no idea what's going on within the others, and therefore I cannot accurately judge how much alike or how different I might be.

I do, however, quite often hear that I'm so - called "different".

**Distance** · 11-05-2011, 06:15 PM

	Originally Posted by deckard To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Oh great, now I'm not an individual. This is not going to look good on my portfolio.

"We" or "deckard" are usually frowned upon when referencing self.

**Wilderness** · 11-05-2011, 06:32 PM

I'd say I'm an individual because I just do what I want regardless of whether it's part of the culture, counter-culture or something else. And trust me, there are a lot of things that fall into the "something else" category, lol.

**nowt** · 11-05-2011, 06:41 PM

The iniquity of uniqueness obliquely diversifies experience. Asocialism.

**gecko** · 11-05-2011, 07:07 PM

The intensity of collection, directly pursuing.. socialism.

**INTJV** · 11-05-2011, 11:42 PM

Yep. Aren't we all?
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

For a little less flippant answer - in my current work environment, I am an individual. Place me in a record store or at a metal concert and I'm one of the gang.

**JTG** · 11-06-2011, 04:59 AM

We're all made of the same decaying organic matter. Death and taxes are assured. Nobody gets a free pass. Etc.

**Sethis** · 11-06-2011, 05:31 AM

Umm...don't they say that everyone is unique? Or it's not true?

What if I wear shoes on my hands and try to walk on them? I will probably fail but I'll surely become something out of nothing.

But wait...now I'm the other herd...The herd of people that act like they're individuals.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

**silvercrystal07** · 11-06-2011, 09:07 AM

I don't think there's anything about me that nobody else shares. So I wouldn't say I'm all that unique in any significant way.

**JC22** · 11-06-2011, 09:28 AM

I am as unique as my DNA permits me to be.

But I think we all have qualities that stand out to different people.

**Senseofrelief** · 11-06-2011, 09:32 AM

I tire of the 'this is what I believe' statements.....to answer this lies in what you do, what can be proven, what is tangible..

**Sethis** · 11-06-2011, 09:35 AM

	Originally Posted by JC22 To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	But I think we all have qualities that stand out to different people.

Like penguins as avatars? Is it becoming a trend? Gee, I'm getting popular.
To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

I am thinking of growing a 'stache too. I wonder if it will catch on.

**spect** · 11-06-2011, 09:54 AM

yes

sometimes to a fault, because if i perceive i am not, will reinforce and reward myself until i think i am again. its habitual at times, maybe a side effect of breaking out of complacency and stagnation, perhaps other times its a needed affirmation of a self-esteem issue, perhaps being creative, maybe reinventing myself from a previous self i wore out or outgrew... many reasons.

so 'why' and 'how' dont matter much to me, its going to change.

**Sk8ordude** · 11-06-2011, 10:05 AM

Beyond the tweak of individual life experiance, I've never done anything somebody else hasn't done before.

**Tocsin** · 11-06-2011, 10:16 AM

Meh... it's been done before...

To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

(the last bit is classic!)

11-05-2011, 04:03 PM	#1
mllebrie Member [37%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,510	Who here thinks that they're unique? That you stand out from the crowd? What is it about you that accomplishes this? I would say I am. I have an offbeat sense of humor, I listen to classical music and oldies, I read history books for fun, and I wear mismatched socks. Half of the people who claim to be individualistic, however, are nothing of the sort, and just blend into some sort of "individualistic" herd. Who thinks they truly are different? And why?
mllebrie is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 04:05 PM	#2
Bisclavret Veteran Member [62%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 2,509	I don't even know where to start... ---------- Post added 11-05-2011 at 07:15 PM ---------- Here's some random facts: - I listen to music from various eras, from long before I was born to modern samples. I also like music from cultures outside of my own, even when they are sung in languages that I do not understand (i.e. Japanese). - I question everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, especially myself. I don't see the same level of introspection and self-questioning in most people. - I am anti-traditional, anti-nationalist, and non-conformist (no I do not conform to counter culture). - I have a "mind of my own" (I believe what I believe for my own reasons and not because any outside force tells me so). - I don't party, drink, eat out, watch tv, or partake in any "normal" activities for my age group. - I am highly imaginative (I write). - I wear urban military garb even though I am "anti-war". - I am a pluricultural individual. -etc. I realize however that these traits don't translate into any form of individualization, they being more of a reflection of my internal sense of individuality. The traits alone mean nothing, it is what they signify which give them importance. I realize too that all people vary from one another to some extent, therefore it would be wrong for me to assume that nearly everyone is the "same" and that I alone am "unique". I feel that the impression of being out of the norm that I have about myself pertains moreso to the notion that I haven't met many people like myself (which the specific combination of traits and preferences that I possess). I aware however that many of the facets that make me "me" are possessed by other human beings as well. All the same, I am that I am; I am an individual. Last edited by Bisclavret; 11-05-2011 at 05:25 PM.
Bisclavret is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 04:20 PM	#3
Distance Core Member [410%] MBTI: eNTj Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 16,437	Similar culture socialisation cookie cuts similar individuals. From this point of variable homogeny, individuation efforts will vary. As far as the questions asked, are they even significant? The questions assume it's the outwards that defines the inwards, without external valuation there is no value within. A very shallow view of the purpose for individuation.
Distance is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 04:53 PM	#5
kari Member [26%] MBTI: ISTJ Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,042	technically everybody is unique as unique just means one of a kind, and however similar many people seem to be, no two people are identical. as for standing out in a crowd...it depends what crowd youre in. some you are going to stand out less than others. for example...you say you listen to classical music, you might think that makes you stand out from a majority of people, and it very well may...but in attendance at a professional orchestra concert, it doesnt really set you apart at all.
kari is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 05:00 PM	#6
CaelestisPeste Core Member [143%] MBTI: INXP Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 5,735	I don't believe an individual should merit the judgment of exclusivity by his or her interests and appearance alone. I'm an individual in consideration to Descartes', "Cogito ergo sum".
CaelestisPeste is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 05:01 PM	#7
deckard Member [46%] MBTI: IsTJ Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,840	I used to, but not anymore. Unless looking haggard and disheveled counts. I don't listen to pop music, but then I'm sure it isn't all as popular as they claim anyway. The only thing that seems to set me apart, would be my boundless capacity to be and do life the alone way.
deckard is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 05:26 PM	#9
what yeah okay Member [17%] MBTI: ENTP Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 686	I'm unique, because I'm actually a living collective of anarcho-syndicalist nanobots.
what yeah okay is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 05:51 PM	#11
BellaBianca Veteran Member [66%] MBTI: INTP Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,675	Frankly, I have no idea what's going on within the others, and therefore I cannot accurately judge how much alike or how different I might be. I do, however, quite often hear that I'm so - called "different".
BellaBianca is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 06:32 PM	#13
Wilderness Member [29%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 1,171	I'd say I'm an individual because I just do what I want regardless of whether it's part of the culture, counter-culture or something else. And trust me, there are a lot of things that fall into the "something else" category, lol.
Wilderness is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 06:41 PM	#14
nowt Suspended MBTI: iNtj Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 9,345	The iniquity of uniqueness obliquely diversifies experience. Asocialism.
nowt is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 07:07 PM	#15
gecko Member [40%] MBTI: INFP Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 1,603	The intensity of collection, directly pursuing.. socialism.
gecko is offline post a comment

11-05-2011, 11:42 PM	#16
INTJV Member [04%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 190	Yep. Aren't we all? To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. For a little less flippant answer - in my current work environment, I am an individual. Place me in a record store or at a metal concert and I'm one of the gang.
INTJV is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 04:59 AM	#17
JTG Core Member [246%] MBTI: INFJ Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 9,844	We're all made of the same decaying organic matter. Death and taxes are assured. Nobody gets a free pass. Etc.
JTG is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 05:31 AM	#18
Sethis Member [23%] MBTI: iNTj Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 954	Umm...don't they say that everyone is unique? Or it's not true? What if I wear shoes on my hands and try to walk on them? I will probably fail but I'll surely become something out of nothing. But wait...now I'm the other herd...The herd of people that act like they're individuals. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Sethis is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 09:07 AM	#19
silvercrystal07 Member [22%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 897	I don't think there's anything about me that nobody else shares. So I wouldn't say I'm all that unique in any significant way.
silvercrystal07 is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 09:28 AM	#20
JC22 Core Member [112%] MBTI: xxxx Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,509	I am as unique as my DNA permits me to be. But I think we all have qualities that stand out to different people.
JC22 is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 09:32 AM	#21
Senseofrelief Banned MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 885	I tire of the 'this is what I believe' statements.....to answer this lies in what you do, what can be proven, what is tangible..
Senseofrelief is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 09:54 AM	#23
spect Veteran Member [56%] MBTI: inxx Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,249	yes sometimes to a fault, because if i perceive i am not, will reinforce and reward myself until i think i am again. its habitual at times, maybe a side effect of breaking out of complacency and stagnation, perhaps other times its a needed affirmation of a self-esteem issue, perhaps being creative, maybe reinventing myself from a previous self i wore out or outgrew... many reasons. so 'why' and 'how' dont matter much to me, its going to change.
spect is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 10:05 AM	#24
Sk8ordude Veteran Member [59%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,385	Beyond the tweak of individual life experiance, I've never done anything somebody else hasn't done before.
Sk8ordude is offline post a comment

11-06-2011, 10:16 AM	#25
Tocsin Core Member [118%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 4,730	Meh... it's been done before... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. (the last bit is classic!)
Tocsin is offline post a comment