To Blend or Be an Individual…that is the question

In today’s society, people are constantly pressured into fitting into a certain mold. Millions of kinds of pressure exist: pressure to have the latest electronic device, to own the most popular clothing brands, to have the most perfect skin or hair. Without even noticing, we change the way we are everyday based on influences from the media, from stores, and from the people around us.

Individualism versus Collectivism. A battle as old as time. Young people especially struggle to remain true to themselves. One may try to change his or her attitude in order to make friends or fit in with a certain clique or social group. Some might even try to change their appearances or the way they dress to be “acceptable” or “cool” to certain groups. One might begin to act differently online to get the most Facebook “likes” or Twitter “retweets.” I have even noticed myself falling into this trap in that I have almost bought something and then realized “I don’t even like this, I was just going to buy it because everyone else is wearing it.” You should never be fake in order to fit in with a crowd. The truth is, if someone doesn’t accept you for who you really are, they are not worth your time. You should never have to change the way you are inside to “be cool” to others.

In Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, a plot involving the Individualism versus Collectivism conflict unfolds. Two prominent characters, Peter Keating and Howard Roark, serve as foils to each other that represent each end of the spectrum. The two men attend the same architecture university, but Keating graduates in the top of his class while Roark is expelled just days before graduation. Keating goes on to become the most famous architect in America as “designer” of the Cosmo-Slotnick building, but strays from his personal vision in order to make the most money and please others. Roark does not find success, but he is full of self-worth because he stays true to his vision and does not change his beliefs in terms of architecture in order to please others. In this same way, sometimes in life we must choose if we want to change who we are and risk being unhappy in order to be accepted by others or ignore the doubters and be true to who we are.

 

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” ― Bernard M. Baruch