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I have never been one to believe in something just because 'everyone else' does. I don't follow fashion, I'm not religious, I'm not into popular reality TV shows, I don't worship celebrities, and I'm not a dog person though I live with my fiance who is all that and then some (he's also very conservative but I won't get into that here). I'm happy to be my own person and not one of the sheeple!
I like to think that I make up my own mind about many things. But I really take issue with calling others "sheeple." It is insulting. It is as if you are putting yourself up as specially insightful and smart.
I know very few extremely special people. Most everyone I know, including me, is pretty ordinary in most ways. And many people hold conventional views about some things, and unconventional views about other, surprising, things.
I like to think that I make up my own mind about many things. But I really take issue with calling others "sheeple." It is insulting.
It may not be a nice word but it does identify a fairly common trait - people are easily led. I guess it's never been a secret, which is why references to people as 'sheep' and 'flock' are abound.
In 1967, there was an interesting social experiment conducted at a California high school by a history teacher. In an effort to illustrate how easily people could fall into a social movement like Nazism, he started a version of that movement as part of his classroom exercises. It got so popular so quickly that he had to shut it down. So, yeah, whilst we do pride ourselves on being independent, it doesn't take much for us to join the flock, which is why it pays to recognise that trait, for although harmless at most times it can lead in all sorts of unsavory directions.
I like to think that I make up my own mind about many things. But I really take issue with calling others "sheeple." It is insulting. It is as if you are putting yourself up as specially insightful and smart.
I know very few extremely special people. Most everyone I know, including me, is pretty ordinary in most ways. And many people hold conventional views about some things, and unconventional views about other, surprising, things.
I agree. Sheeple is derogatory. I don't use it. Does that make me a contrarian to those who use the word sheeple?
There is a saying that comes to mind: "He who goes against the fashion is himself its slave." You're just reacting in a opposite way solely to BE opposite.
If you are being contrarian just to be contrarian, it seems that there is no more thought behind one's outlook beyond, "Look at me. I'm special, I'm DIFFERENT".
Well...no, you're not. If the mindset is to fancy oneself as different from everybody else, you're pretty much the same.
There is such a thing as Oppositional Defiance Disorder.
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