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We talk about working together, solving problems that affect all Americans, blah blah, etc etc.
It's all BS.
How are we supposed to work together when individualism is king here?
You know... I get mine, you get yours, and the hell with people I don't know. Why should I have to pay for you? I didn't vote for it, so why should I contribute?
If a problem is identified in America and it doesn't affect one personally, instead of working together to solve the problem, Americans have an "every man for himself" mentality.
It's makes cooperation and solving problems together very difficult indeed.
The growth of individualism is a lie. As far as I am concerned individualism is almost non-existent. Collectivism is the root of everything in work, family, religion, and in the university. I saw the growth of collectivism in high school. It all started with "group work", what they meant was "groupthink". If you don't contribute to groupthink and herd-mentality then something is seriously wrong with you, and that philosophy is ingrained into every human starting at a very young age.
Now, it is getting out of hand. The first experiences with collectivism for most humans is in religion and politics. Both groups mold or shape "individuals'" thinking and behaviors to be similar to a prototype and it is always collectivist-focused. They want you to think for "the greatest good" but never for yourself and never consider what you really think as valid, because what you think isn't special or useful and you are not important as an individual, you only matter when you are part of a team or a group. They are so indoctrinated that they actually think that they are thinking for themselves, when they are clearly not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyDaysCopenhagenSkoal
We talk about working together, solving problems that affect all Americans, blah blah, etc etc.
It's all BS.
How are we supposed to work together when individualism is king here?
You know... I get mine, you get yours, and the hell with people I don't know. Why should I have to pay for you? I didn't vote for it, so why should I contribute?
If a problem is identified in America and it doesn't affect one personally, instead of working together to solve the problem, Americans have an "every man for himself" mentality.
It's makes cooperation and solving problems together very difficult indeed.
The growth of individualism is a lie. As far as I am concerned individualism is almost non-existent. Collectivism is the root of everything in work, family, religion, and in the university. I saw the growth of collectivism in high school. It all started with "group work", what they meant was "groupthink". If you don't contribute to groupthink and herd-mentality then something is seriously wrong with you, and that philosophy is ingrained into every human starting at a very young age.
Now, it is getting out of hand. The first experiences with collectivism for most humans is in religion and politics. Both groups mold or shape "individuals'" thinking and behaviors to be similar to a prototype and it is always collectivist-focused. They want you to think for "the greatest good" but never for yourself and never consider what you really think as valid, because what you think isn't special or useful and you are not important as an individual, you only matter when you are part of a team or a group. They are so indoctrinated that they actually think that they are thinking for themselves, when they are clearly not.
EXACTLY!
Good job, artsyguy...
The truth is that most of the 'problems' are conceived (or created out of whole cloth) to either excuse each other, or to blame a nebulous group of enemies, so that no one has to take individual responsibility for their own actions and lives. Individuals can solve problems, can be innovative, creative, and productive, and can work together with other individuals on a fair and equitable basis to do so. Those who think that some group or elected body can solve all of their problems are not merely lazy fools, they are dangerous ones, because they inhibit those who can reason, think and solve.
We talk about working together, solving problems that affect all Americans, blah blah, etc etc.
It's all BS.
How are we supposed to work together when individualism is king here?
You know... I get mine, you get yours, and the hell with people I don't know. Why should I have to pay for you? I didn't vote for it, so why should I contribute?
If a problem is identified in America and it doesn't affect one personally, instead of working together to solve the problem, Americans have an "every man for himself" mentality.
It's makes cooperation and solving problems together very difficult indeed.
I see it like this---we all wear pants, just not the same pair.
I think thast in mordern society individaulism is stronger than ever.One example is the neighborhoods;now days to get people to keepup their prpoerty its normal to have a contract called a HOA. Even fmilioes are less a co-operative group and the coutrs are full of claims aginst each other.We may co-operate for certain things but the indivdual is alive and well in this country.Even taxes are individual;otherwise all would owe the same amount to support the group that are able bodied. There are more and more that contribute nothing to the group called society and in fact are dependents.
There is nothing inherently wrong with individuality/individualism. It's just another 'life philosophy.' And just because one is an individualist, it doesn't mean he/she doesn't give a damn about anyone else. In fact, it's often quite the opposite. An individualist in the true sense of the word actually cares MORE about other individuals because he/she understands that the world is filled with individuals who have the same rights to their dreams, aspirations, and pursuits that he/she has. One the other hand, a collectivist tends to not give a tinkers damn about what any one individual needs or wants. A collectivist has a 'one size fits all' mentality. It's a hand-holding mentality--a 'these are your needs, period' mentality. Problem is, we are all individuals, we are not a homogeneous collective. There are such groups, but not all of us are part of such a group. A true individualist works with other people just fine--in fact better than a collectivist, because he/she actually thinks for him/herself. A group thinker is totally dependent upon the groupthink mentality. Dissent and free-thinking is discouraged.
I think one amazing thing about the founders of this country is that they understood that. They gave us the right to self determination. If we wanted to be individuals, we were granted the right. If we wanted to be in a collective, we could do that as well (cooperatives)... all without any interference from the government. Now that is going away. Actually it's been almost gone for a long time--first threatened by large corporations and now by the one-two punch of large corporations and big government big brother BS. We are headed toward a 'one size fits all' mentality. I think it's very sad indeed.
As a final note to address the OP: Look, man, you are mistaking an individualist with a selfish pr**k. They are not the same.
There is nothing inherently wrong with individuality. It's just another 'life philosophy.' And just because one is an individualist, it doesn't mean he/she doesn't give a damn about anyone else. In fact, it's often quite the opposite. An individualist in the true sense of the word actually cares MORE about other individuals because he/she understands that the world is filled with individuals who have the same rights, dreams, and aspirations that he/she has. One the other hand, a collectivist tends to not give a tinkers damn about what any one individual needs or wants. A collectivist has a 'one size fits all' mentality. It's a hand-holding mentality. Problem is, we are all individuals, we are not a homogeneous collective. There are such groups, but not all of us are part of such a group.
I think one amazing thing about the founders of this country is that they understood that. They gave us the right to self determination. If we wanted to be individuals, we were granted the right. If we wanted to be in a collective, we could do that as well (cooperatives)... all without any interference from the government. Now that is going away. Actually it's been almost gone for a long time. Now we are headed toward a 'one size fits all' mentality. I think it's very sad indeed.
As a final note to address the OP: Look, man, you are mistaking an individualist with a selfish pr**k. They are not the same.
There is nothing inherently wrong with individuality/individualism. It's just another 'life philosophy.' And just because one is an individualist, it doesn't mean he/she doesn't give a damn about anyone else. In fact, it's often quite the opposite. An individualist in the true sense of the word actually cares MORE about other individuals because he/she understands that the world is filled with individuals who have the same rights to their dreams, aspirations, and pursuits that he/she has. One the other hand, a collectivist tends to not give a tinkers damn about what any one individual needs or wants. A collectivist has a 'one size fits all' mentality. It's a hand-holding mentality--a 'these are your needs, period' mentality. Problem is, we are all individuals, we are not a homogeneous collective. There are such groups, but not all of us are part of such a group. A true individualist works with other people just fine--in fact better than a collectivist, because he/she actually thinks for him/herself. A group thinker is totally dependent upon the groupthink mentality. Dissent and free-thinking is discouraged.
I think one amazing thing about the founders of this country is that they understood that. They gave us the right to self determination. If we wanted to be individuals, we were granted the right. If we wanted to be in a collective, we could do that as well (cooperatives)... all without any interference from the government. Now that is going away. Actually it's been almost gone for a long time--first threatened by large corporations and now by the one-two punch of large corporations and big government big brother BS. We are headed toward a 'one size fits all' mentality. I think it's very sad indeed.
As a final note to address the OP: Look, man, you are mistaking an individualist with a selfish pr**k. They are not the same.
I agree with your reasoning. However, I do feel like there is a requisite level of "forced collectivism" in order to ensure greater possibilities of self-determination. I think anarchy would be pure hell on earth and would limit each individuals potential.
Do you agree that there should be at least some level of "forced collectivism", for the greater good of the individuals within the society? For instance, making murder a punishable offense, would be an easy example of such a policy.
"Freedon of choice" and "forced anything" just don't go together. --You can never trust the guy doing the forcing.
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