I think I might be a nonconformist or maybe I conform to nonconformity. I don’t purposefully refuse to conform, nor do I do those things which are considered nonconformist for the purpose of being a nonconformist. Therefore, I would conclude that I am a real nonconformist.
What is a nonconformist? According to Merriam-Webster a nonconformist is “a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action.” That sounds fine, but I was taught in school never to use the word I’m defining in the definition. The definition uses ‘conform’ which means that we need to know the definition of the word ‘conform’. I know, most people know what it is to conform, but humor me in my anal attempt to be accurate. Again using Merriam-Webster, ‘conform’ is an intransitive verb which means “to be similar to identical … to be obedient or compliant to … to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs” (i) Wow, to not do that does sound like me. I just don’t refuse to conform on purpose. Well, most of the time I’m not purposefully a nonconformist. When I do refuse to conform, I generally have a good reason.
I truly believe that my nonconformity does not come from purposely, or even unconsciously, being contrary to the prevailing standards or customs, even though I must confess to a true dislike for our current society and culture. I just don’t agree with much of the current standards and customs. As an independent thinker who comes to his own conclusions and acts accordingly, I find that my attitude toward or resulting behavior is my norm and therefore is only nonconformist in the eyes of one who approves of and find pleasure or fulfillment in the current standards and customs. My suspicions are that most people see the nonconformist as ones who purposely act contrary. In the 1960s nonconformity was almost a cult. The “nonconformist” had recognizable dress, speech patterns and world views. It was really a conformity to a set of behaviors and standards labelled as “nonconformist”. To me, that really isn’t being nonconformist and that isn’t me. So, let’s stick to a strict interpretation and agree that true nonconformity isn’t a purposeful act but the natural result of a rational decision that the current standard or custom to which we refuse to conform somehow violates our personal moral code or belief system.
It is always easier to conform. Of course that’s what the social systems (ii) – religion, government and capitalism – want us to do. To conform may, in some cases, actually be physically safer. It is definitely emotionally, socially and financially safer. However, the biggest problem with and danger of conformity is that it is actually defined and/or applied by social systems as obedience and total compliance. This ultimately means that those who conform do not think for themselves and abide by the direction and wishes of the elite who control the social systems. This, in turn, means that the conformist will ultimately do those things which they may actually recognize as illegal, immoral or contrary to their own well-being. Modern day Republicans in the US are a good example of this self-destructive conformity.
Conformity gives the social systems power and control. For example, the government wants everyone to have a sticks-n-bricks (nomad speak for “house”) address. They call it a permanent address and it seem quite innocuous. Don’t let that kid you. If you are tied to a single location the government has more control. They can include or exclude you by gerrymandering and other techniques. Nomads, who also violate conformity to capitalism by our minimalist life-style which means reduced consumption and opting out of the normal work-to-death life, can easily be excluded from participation in government to which we are entitled as tax paying citizens and benefits for which we have paid.
Even though people have been indoctrinated to believe that they must keep capitalism functioning, the truth is that the only people to suffer more than short-term inconvenience if capitalism were to fail is the elite capitalists. You eek out a living. They get filthy rich from your labor and by your over-consumption. Not long ago I was visiting family in a large Midwestern city and walking down the street of their suburb. Almost every house had their garage doors open. They were all filled with “stuff” leaving no room for an automobile. Such excessive consumption is necessary for capitalism to continue but the price is extremely high; viz. the number of hours a couple must work to pay bills and buy all the things they are told they need to buy, and the damage such consumerism does to the environment, just to name two examples.
Conformity, in an of itself, isn’t really the problem. I conform to a rather ridged moral code and set of principles. I did not conform because it was expected of me. I conformed because I considered that moral code and those principles and determined that they were true, valid and worthy of my compliance. If the behavior to which I am asked to conform is logical, realistic and purposeful, I am going to comply. For example, some of the greatest conformist in the United States are screaming about the violation of their right because they are required to conform to wearing masks due to of COVID-19. I don’t want to die of COVID and I don’t want to be the cause of someone else dying. I want to see us get this virus under control as soon as possible, and the best way anyone has found to do that is wearing masks and practicing social distancing. This being the case, I will gladly conform. Isn’t it ironic. The nonconformist is the first one to conform.
What we quickly learn is that conformity is simply a behavior which, for the most part, is by our choice. It is when it is forced upon us, as in a fascist state, or we conform as a result of the pressures and indoctrination of social systems, that conformity becomes a dangerous proposition. Under those circumstances conformity becomes a killer. It kills the soul, destroys independent rational thought and castrates a virile species. Such conformity is what puts people like the current occupant of the White House in power, and makes way for fascism, which is defined by the Father of Fascism as the combination of the power of the corporation and the power of the government. (iii) Conformity without rational thought and consideration is the foundation of social systems which are controlled by an elite few and benefit only those few. Conformity without rational consideration is the death of independence and critical thought. Without independence and critical thought any chance of a free and egalitarian civilization is dead. We become like animals in a zoo, bred for a purpose decided upon by those who run the social systems and spending our lives working for their wealth while our lives and souls shrivel and disappear like the scrotum of a castrated dog.
I guess I really am a nonconformist. I don’t refuse to conform just to be contrary. I refuse to conform when conformity is neither in my best interest or that of my fellow beings. I refuse to conform when conformity enslaves me, attempts to manipulate or control my life, and takes away my independence and individuality. I refuse to conform when conformity destroys the environment and nature upon which all life is dependent for the sake of an elite few whose motivation is only self and more wealth. I refuse to have my life defined, described and controlled by social systems. If I must forfeit my life it will be on my terms not for one who sees me as nothing more than an asset to amass greater wealth. That’s the difference between a conformist and a nonconformist.
FOOTNOTES:
(i) https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/
(ii) https://oldconservationist.blogspot.com/2020/03/what-constitutes-social-system.hThe tml
(iii) Mussolini, Benito and Giovanni Gentile. (1932). La Dotrina del fascismo. Enciclopedia Italiana. Rome.
http://www.worldfuturefund.org/wffmaster/Reading/Germany/mussolini.htm
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