NationStates Jolt Archive

What exactly is a non-conformist? The word seems to mean what it implies, meaning someone who does not conform to anyone but himself... but frankly, all the nonconformists are alike in more ways than not. It's almost like nonconformatism has become the new standard in the MTV generation :P

I guess you could call me a non-conformist... I mean, break it down! I am opposite of what is promoted in the media, I belong to a strange religion, I wear clothing of a different standard, Heck, I guess you could say I strive to live in the world, without being of the world.

The same deal goes with so-called open-minded people... to be considered open-minded, you have to live by certain conceived ideals and live a life of bigotry where you think everyonbe else's ideas have gone out of style or whatever the crap they believe... I don't really even care.

Comments?

Everyone conforms to something. Everything's been done. The hippies used the term to pressure their peers into conformity to their standards. Nothing changes. :wink:

non-conforming to "traditional" ideas is just causeing a new tradition

Everyone conforms to something. Everything's been done. The hippies used the term to pressure their peers into conformity to their standards. Nothing changes. :wink:lol I know, I just think there are a ton of incorrect terms that need to be replaced!

non-conformist=alternative conformist :P
open-minded=a close-minded person on the left wing
liberal=thief? :P

ok, maybe the last on was outta line :P

non-conforming to "traditional" ideas is just causeing a new traditionin the words of that episode of South Park where Kyle turned Goth:

"To be a non-conformist, you have to dress like us, wear dark make-up like us, listen to the same music as us, and write depressing poetry like us." :P

non-conforming to "traditional" ideas is just causeing a new traditionin the words of that episode of South Park where Kyle turned Goth:

"To be a non-conformist, you have to dress like us, wear dark make-up like us, listen to the same music as us, and write depressing poetry like us." :P

"You have to drink coffee if you want ot be a Goth"



I grew up knowing that the term 'non-conformist,' were churches who rejected the Anglican Church. Like the Methodists. I may be getting the term wrong, but I've never been any good with labels anyway.

i've been called "non-conformist" by a lot of people. i think it's mostly because i had an unusual upbringing that left me pretty clueless about a lot of the social rules and norms in America. for example, i never imprinted traditional gender roles, so it took me a long time to understand things like why women don't keep their own names and why men don't think it's okay for them to cook or sew. my parents also raised me to several different religious traditions, so i never understood why other people think any one religion is better than the others...i still don't really understand that one sometimes.

i don't know if i am really "non-conformist," since i try to be a part of my world and the social setting i am in. i certainly don't try to be different, i just do what seems right to me or what i think is fun. and i sure as hell don't wear black makeup and compose lousy poetry. :P

Just out of curiosity, is there a difference between non-conformists and and anti-conformists? I had always been associated with the latter term.

On the other hand, your using a rather subjective term. I would suggest you first set up a good definition first.

As an example, the definition I use around here for anti-conformists is someone who:

Is extremely cynical

Wears no brands or labels, and refuses to associate with any stereotype

Rejects anything thats popular or mainstream culture.

Tends not to care about mainstream culture, or any of the local culture or social networks.

Does not support the media, the authorities, or any othe prominant mainstream organization.

Tends to be more spiritual than religious

Usually wears practical, plain clothing

Is usually very well-informed and erudite

Usually takes obscure or uncommon interests

Tends to hang out with other anti-conformists, usually in sheltered, hidden locations.

etc, etc.

The Great Leveller is right. A non-conformist used to be a Protestant but not an Anglican, ie Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterians.

On old censuses you can see the number of 'non-conformists'.

I guess you could call me a non-conformist... I mean, break it down! I am opposite of what is promoted in the media, I belong to a strange religion, I wear clothing of a different standard, Heck, I guess you could say I strive to live in the world, without being of the world.


What's your strange religion, if i may ask?

i believe thr phrase "i was uncool b4 uncool was cool (refering to gothic/druggie b4 it was 'cool')" could be used here. you are only a non-conformist if u do something juct because u feel like it, not because it is somthing other people have done and popularized

There are "conformists", there are "nonconformists", and there are "anticonformists".

"Conformists" and "anticonformists" are two sides of the same coin--both refuse to think for themselves; conformists do things because they are trendy, while anticonformists categorically refuse to do such things.

Nonconformists, on the other hand, decide for themselves what to do, and do not care whether it is trendy or not.

Non-conformity isn't defined by WHAT you do, but by WHY you do it.

non-conforming to "traditional" ideas is just causeing a new traditionin the words of that episode of South Park where Kyle turned Goth:

"To be a non-conformist, you have to dress like us, wear dark make-up like us, listen to the same music as us, and write depressing poetry like us." :P
That was Stan not Kyle

But you're right about the rest of it though. :P

Actually non-conformists are those who either stick out in groups or choose not to be in groups at all. Unless what I just describes is expected behavior. In which case the non-conformists conforms, which creates a paradox. And since no paradox exist in reality there is no such thing as a non-conformist.
__________________________________________________
Out of all the demons in this world, none is more frightening than man

What exactly is a non-conformist? The word seems to mean what it implies, meaning someone who does not conform to anyone but himself... but frankly, all the nonconformists are alike in more ways than not. It's almost like nonconformatism has become the new standard in the MTV generation :P

I guess you could call me a non-conformist... I mean, break it down! I am opposite of what is promoted in the media, I belong to a strange religion, I wear clothing of a different standard, Heck, I guess you could say I strive to live in the world, without being of the world.


It's all relative.

I'd say you conform to your upbringing very much. you are indeed a model member of your immediate social group. That makes you a conformist. The fact that your group is not representative of the greater societal norms notwithstanding.

I mean - who does conform in an every way to some arbitrary standard of statistical normalcy?

Noone!


The same deal goes with so-called open-minded people... to be considered open-minded, you have to live by certain conceived ideals and live a life of bigotry where you think everyonbe else's ideas have gone out of style or whatever the crap they believe... I don't really even care.

Comments?

To equate the definition of "open minded" to "bigotry" is about the most asinine thing I've heard in a long while.

You want to be allowed to be forthright with your opinions but deny others the same right without labelling them as bigots and following "conceived ideals"?

That is almost too funny.

But nice to see that you want comments on something you don't care about....

-Z-

I'm a non-conformist. Everyone thinks it's odd how I oppose capitalism and government and don't rich women with small butts are hot.

-----------------------------------------
"But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality."
Free your mind! (http://dwardmac.pitzer.edu/Anarchist_Archives/bright/berkman/comanarchism/whatis_toc.html)
I like big butts!

http://www.angelfire.com/mo3/terrapvlchra/images/steatopygia.jpg

There are very few people who are actually non conformists, thes days.
everyone..especially in their teen-age years, tends to find a social group to belong to.
Thus..they conform to that sub-cultures dress codes and habits.

You want non conformists? Look for mountain men, living in a shack in the wilderness.....

Ughhh.. why do you bother Raysia?

Do you post these threads to troll on purpose.. or do you really not see it? I can't figure out if you're aware of your trolling or not.. let me give you an example ok..

non-conformist=alternative conformist
open-minded=a close-minded person on the left wing
liberal=thief?

ok, maybe the last on was outta line

So, since you knew the last one was out of line.. why didn't you take it out before you hit the submit button? Therefore I must conclude that you did know you were trolling.

I gave you a warning about a week ago for flamebait in another thread. So consider this your second warning. 3 strikes and you're out.. so please *think* about what you post before you post it please.

In case you don't know.. this is what we consider "trolling"

Trolling: Posts that are made with the aim of angering people.


Thank You,
Stephanie
Game Moderator

eep, I had no idea... I thought you guys could take a joke... nevermind :) I'll be more careful

I'm a non-conformist. Everyone thinks it's odd how I oppose capitalism and government and don't rich women with small butts are hot.

No people just hate your sig because its too big and contains more information than most of your posts.

Besides being a "non-conformist' is the same oxymoron as following an "anti-trend'.

Open minded means TOLERANT, not leftist closed minded. Ie: i'm liberal, but i'm open to both pro- and anti- bush arguments. I'm jewish yet i condemn the violence on BOTH sides, and realize both sides arguments.

Conformists...i dunno maybe you guys are right.

My Amish friends are nonconformists as they stand out in a crowd, and intentionally resist modern trends.

As a group of course they conform to rather strict standards of dress and behavior.

Open minded means TOLERANT, not leftist closed minded. Ie: i'm liberal, but i'm open to both pro- and anti- bush arguments. I'm jewish yet i condemn the violence on BOTH sides, and realize both sides arguments.

Conformists...i dunno maybe you guys are right.*claps* Congratulations! You fall into the minority of liberals who actually ARE open-minded! ^_^ In the same light, I'm tolerant, and I view everything objectively (and then take a side after weighing both views). I just happen to tend to choose the right-wing side most of the time, simply because it seems to tend to be... well, right :)

So, although I am not 100% uninhibitedly open minded, I manage to make it into the area of conservatism far to the left of rednecks, and just to the right of G.W. :P (G.W. is a Conservative with liberal tendancies)