Counter Culture - I HATE THE MAINSTREAM

Conformity. The widely perpetuated evil is combated by the sole entity known as the COUNTER CULTURE. The subversives, the nonconformists all salute proudly within their local Hot Topic the stop-motion works of Tim Burton before while quietly whining among themselves why others just can't see HIM as the greatest musician ever.

Now I know this is only one definition of counter culture, but paradoxically when such a concept becomes so ingrained into the mainstream, it does become the very thing it wishes to resist.

What is your idea of the counter culture? Do you feel that it is a paradox? Can the idea really stand on its own? Are you part of it?

How ya doing, buddy?

Uhh, everyone attempts counterculture. We all strive to be individuals and not identified as a group. But I think it's impossible, because once you find your own style which you like, more often than not someone else will also like that style. Then more people until that style is no longer unique and cannot be considered a counterculture. So yes, it is a paradox in the end and an idea can't stand on it's own for too long. You could always choose the vaguest most random style you want and not tell anyone. Technically then you can keep it to yourself and not conform to the rest of the world. But what human would do that?

Notice that punks, goths, emos, all who were originally a whole genre of people trying to go against pop culture and conformitiy are now considered mainstream? Rebelling against the mainstream is now ... mainstream. So wouldn't conforming be considered counterculture now? :P

Anyways, I do whatever is comfortable. Alot of the times, it conforms me into the mainstream, as alot of people choose the most comfortable way. But I hardly change for someone else, unless... well, gfs don't count biatch.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Counterculture, non-conformity and their supposed enemies are just memetics designed to keep the gullible and insecure in line and in herds.

Whatever happened to just "being"? Whatever is "is" . . .

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

I am very annoyed by the concept as well. Counterculture, in my opinion, does not truly exist. Every culture seems to want to avoid conforming to another aspect of another culture for the sake of purity. Perhaps I've never truly fit in anywhere because I've never conformed any one group or ideal.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Eleo

I am very annoyed by the concept as well. Counterculture, in my opinion, does not truly exist. Every culture seems to want to avoid conforming to another aspect of another culture for the sake of purity. Perhaps I've never truly fit in anywhere because I've never conformed any one group or ideal.

Didn't you used to have a Zero avatar?

I was speaking idiomatically.

For many months - perhaps more than a year total - yes. Why do you ask?

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

It was just a stark contrast to Hitler, or who I take to be Hitler, unless there is some deep connection between the two.

How ya doing, buddy?

I've never really cared about being mainstream and fitting in, but it's probably in human nature to feel "special", like we're ment for something grander than what we have. Because of this, many people feel the need to stand out from the crowd, like, for instance, goths, but they are doing quite the opposite, since wearing all black and broadcasting angst on all frequencies tells people that you have the need to fit in, to be with other people that share your views and feelings.

It might once have been a counterculture, but today it's just phase some kids feel the need to go through while maturing and developing a personality.

I never judge people by first impressions and they can dress in all black or listen to whatever tickles their fancy, but when we are talking about truly mass appealing events, like football or religion, I draw the line, because in these cases, common sense is usually out the window...sports and religion are like magnets for people with no individuality.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I knew someone back in highschool that wouldn't listen to any bands that more than 10 people liked. The minute an 11th person liked that band and they became "mainstream," they automatically sucked and were sellouts. Yes the numbers aren't exact, but that's pretty much how it went. It's ridiculous.

Originally Posted by mariusmyhre

sports and religion are like magnets for people with no individuality.

Hahaha... you have no clue what you're talking about do you?

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Many kids make their own style and try not to conform because they can't fit in with the "in crowd". They are alienated from them so they try to be excessively different so as to feel special or try to set themselves apart from the people who they can't be like.

The problem with this is that other people who were rejected from the "cool kids" usually will join in with these "non-conformists" because they are like a safe haven and can be people who they can connect with. Then we're back to square one, they become a cliche and basically act the same way the 'in crowd' did but to their standards.

The whole problem with everything is that someone always feels left out so they make a new style or cliche so they don't. Then the other people who get left out, either join up with a cliche or make their own, which starts the cycle again.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by mariusmyhre

I never judge people by first impressions and they can dress in all black or listen to whatever tickles their fancy, but when we are talking about truly mass appealing events, like football or religion, I draw the line, because in these cases, common sense is usually out the window...sports and religion are like magnets for people with no individuality.

So if I dressed in all black and only listened to music about the pain of life you wouldn't judge me. That wouldn't be fair. But because I watch hockey I have no individuality? I'm not my own person because I like to watch sports? Christ, imagine if someone watched sports AND was a practicing catholic! Then they'd really have no personal indentity. I mean completely disregard everything that makes them, them. Their hobbies, interests, thoughts opinions. Out the window because they caught a Rangers game after church one day.

Can you seriously not see the irony in you saying that people who have different beliefs/interests than you have no individuality?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Noncomformists are funny because they think they aren't conforming xp When you go out of your way to be different you're still letting society tell you what to do, or in this case what not to do. The only way to be a true nonconformist is to not give a damn whether you go with or against the flow. The way to not conform is to be yourself, regardless of how many or few people are like you.
Besides, when people start mimicking something about you it's ussually because they think what you're doing is really cool. Take the damn compliment xp

As for the sports and religious thing, how in the blue bloody blazes does an interest in sports or religion mean you have no individuality? There is simply no logic to support that. Technically if anything they add to one's individuality, such as some people like baseball, others like football, some cheer on the Padres, some the Indians, some people root for the Patriots, some the Falcons. Some people believe Christianity is the correct religion, others believe is Wiccan.
Sure there are people with no individuality that just say "wheee I believe what the church says because I dunno wheeee" but you get that with everything. Take wearing all black for instance. Some people wear it because they think it's cool, others because they're like "omg i r teh noncomformest becuz i r wearing teh blackx0r omg i r such teh noncomformest".

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by evergreen

It was just a stark contrast to Hitler, or who I take to be Hitler, unless there is some deep connection between the two.

Heil Hitler! The nigger lover!

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by mariusmyhre

I never judge people by first impressions and they can dress in all black or listen to whatever tickles their fancy, but when we are talking about truly mass appealing events, like football or religion, I draw the line, because in these cases, common sense is usually out the window...sports and religion are like magnets for people with no individuality.

Not me. I draw the line at fuckers who don't know what a period is.

Also people frequently discuss topics with mass-appeal when they do not know the other person very well. This is called social graces. It keeps strangers from thinking you're weird until they're no longer strangers.

You are a very stupid man.

Although it is presumptuous to discuss religion to near-perfect strangers. I'll grant you that.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Non confirming? Counterculture? Countering what culture, exactly? What is the culture of the mainstream?

The mainstream is so conflicted that there isn't much space for counterculture. So, just relax. Don't bother to classify yourself to as a comformist and rebel. There's no difference.

If we are weird in other people's eyes, so be it. If we are normal, so be it. How does it affect your daily operations other than you wanting to be different or have a sense of belonging?

FELIPE NO