An unoriginally original individual

[Tadd]

Calling all psychologists!!!

Why do people do it!? Why!!??
Why is it when I see a post on any internet forum, a post that contains a perfectly fine question: "What is your favourite band?" "What is your favourite game?" "Who is the most influencial role-model of the 20th century?" and then they give a list of several choices for you to choose from; why do most people choose "other" or claim that their choice is not on the list, or give a completely obscure and unheard of answer!?

It is something that has always bugged me. Are such people so afraid of following trends that they avoid it even on a forum? Just choose a frikkin' option from the list!

"My choice isn't on the list. The best band is Natharian's Scapregoat, they are the greatest band in the world. My God, you haven't heard of them?"

Do you have any friends that strive to be original and go out of their way to steer clear of the bandwagon? How do you deal with such people? Do you dislike music or games, just because everyone else likes it? Do you often play the Devil's Advocate?

I'm probably unaware of the irony that this topic is also unoriginal... I'm sure it's been done before. Be nice to me, I'm new to these forums and I'm sorry for the semi-rant.

 

[pntaylor]

As Furburt has already intimated some people genuinely do listen/watch/read etc to bands or people who aren't well known or popular. That's not saying you don't have a point as there are people who strive to be original by deliberately listening or watching obscure bands or movies but that's their own choice. As for me personally I don't deliberately dislike anything just because it's popular I dislike things on merit (or lack thereof).

 

[fd18e3d0-816e-11e4-b4a9-0800200c9a66]

I don't understand why people who make those posts even bother making it a poll. Surely it would create a better discussion if your not limited to set of options which will most likely be based on the Original Posters opinions

 

[Layz92]

Incidentally, considering this is your rant, would this music be considered weird?

You are gonna get hit with advertising on that band soon hehe.

On topic I listen to some obscure stuff because they are usually a little different to the untold thousands of samey bands out there. That 1 Guy being my usual example.

 

[no one really]

People have different veiws.
You can't force others to like everything you like in any way.
If you are going to make a big deal out of someone ordering supersize-milkshake at MD, instead of coke at BK, you technically can't live in any society.

Thats my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

 

[rabidmidget]

Because usually a poll doesn't have every possible answer, besides, there is usually more discussion involved when people select 'other'.

 

[Koganesaga]

Hate music games, and I'm generally a strange person which is a form of originality. Also I don't buy ridiculously popular mainstream games that aren't innovative, but that's just my plight to support games that want to bring new air into the industry. Also unless the poll is expressing all of the possible answers to the question, the other rightfully deserves to be there, as no everyone has identical tastes.

 

[stok3r]

Calling all psychologists!!!

Why do people do it!? Why!!??
Why is it when I see a post on any internet forum, a post that contains a perfectly fine question: "What is your favourite band?" "What is your favourite game?" "Who is the most influencial role-model of the 20th century?" and then they give a list of several choices for you to choose from; why do most people choose "other" or claim that their choice is not on the list, or give a completely obscure and unheard of answer!?

It is something that has always bugged me. Are such people so afraid of following trends that they avoid it even on a forum? Just choose a frikkin' option from the list!

"My choice isn't on the list. The best band is Natharian's Scapregoat, they are the greatest band in the world. My God, you haven't heard of them?"

Do you have any friends that strive to be original and go out of their way to steer clear of the bandwagon? How do you deal with such people? Do you dislike music or games, just because everyone else likes it? Do you often play the Devil's Advocate?

I'm probably unaware of the irony that this topic is also unoriginal... I'm sure it's been done before. Be nice to me, I'm new to these forums and I'm sorry for the semi-rant.

I listen to what I think is good, read what I think is good etc etc..

I don't particularly care how popular it is, i like what i like and that's final. Nothing more to it.

I do avoid the radio like the plauge, not because I enjoy being different (I do, btw) but because 99% of the stuff on it is complete and utter shit. The only way I get to listen to stuff from the radio is when a friend recommends it.

 

[thePyro_13]

Just because lots of people like something, doesn't mean that everybody does. Who's to say the random bands you listen too aren't the weird ones?

Their is an important difference between liking the same thing as another person and following trends.

I like TF2, it provides fun for me. I don't care that other people like or dislike it. I do.

I dislike battlefield. it shits me up the wall. the game pisses me off and makes me regret playing it. so I don't play it. and I don't care if everyone else is still playing it. I could follow the trend and play it anyway, but that would be a waste of my time(and patience).

People can do whatever they enjoy. It's the ones who are supporting something just because everyone else is that confuse me. It's not hard to decide for yourself if you like something or not. Because everyone else is doing it isn't a good enough reason to like something.

minirant over.

 

[Crystal Cuckoo]

I actually listen to other music (or rather, really unpopular music).

So I don't bother listening for fear of a potential flame war.

 

[Brotherofwill]

Snip

I tend to just say what I want and not care what others have thought about the subject or if I'm following a sort of trend. Group mentalities are a strong bond and the need to rebel against them is just natural for young adults, no need to get angry about it. It's not like anyone on the internet is going to congratulate you for your original opinion anyway, so you might as well stop trying.

Because lot's of topics have millions of possible outcomes (like what's your favourite game?), 8 or so answers just won't do it to satisfy every possible taste, ofcourse you'll get lots of people checking 'other'.

PS: Is that you in your avatar? That person kind of looks like a cross of the guy from Dawson's Creek and AVGN. I don't mean to insult, it's a rather cool look.

 

[Vern]

I for one apologize on behalf of all of humanity. I am sorry we're not part of your hive mind, and we don't all think alike. Everyone thinks differently, and has different opinions of what they like, or who they respect. I think polls are biased in and of themselves, because they force people to choose in a very constrained perspective. My favorite musician is Tom Waits, my favorite videogame is Doom, and the President I most respect is Richard Nixon. Not choices that will show up in most polls. Don't be surprised when people pick 'other' when they don't agree with your obvious choices. It's not people being difficult, or trying to be different, it's people showing that their opinions can't be boiled down to three to ten choices on a poll. Politicians, take note.

 

[Generic Difference]

Hello, my username is Generic Difference.

I wanted to have a name that was linked to me and would be unique enough to stand out, unlike people who just pick a word and add numbers on the end.

After discovering that almost every possible name I wanted was already taken on the various sites/games I frequent I decided that it would be nigh impossible to find that unique name.

But, I figured that everyone wanted that unique name so I my search was no different. I wanted to be different, just like everyone else. By wanting to be different on the internet I, ironically, was no different. The same is said about everyone, no matter how obscure your taste, views, opinions or humour are there is always someone else who is the same.

Therefore I am Generic Difference.


Gendif, for short.

 

[SmartIdiot]

I just really think more people's lives would be enriched if they embraced Rolo Tomassi.

 

[Cherry Cola]

Yay, the OP made me think he's a douche almost instantly!

Seriously, what are you talking about? Is it so hard to understand that people have different taste? You have to blame it on them being unoriginal? I can't pick my own choice, it has to be from the poll?

 

[2xDouble]

It's known as "fanboyism". Oddly enough, it is a real, recognized sociological phenomenon. Whenever there are differences of opinion, any side will defend it's position vehemently due to each individual's personal investment in the item/game/music/whatever. Its an attempt to justify the investment of time, money, and energy. Artworks like music and video games are especially difficult because there are nearly infinite possibilities and no single poll can cover every contingency. Naturally, there will be some that find their ideas to be absent.

There are individuals who will reject any sort of categorization on principle due to another sociological phenomena (who's name escapes me...). The theory is this: When joining or being cast into a social group, the individual loses his or her individuality and adopts the identity of the group. It's an easily observable group mentality, and a terrifying concept (and part of what makes The Borg so scary).

In short: People suck, but it could be worse.

 

[Onyx Oblivion]

I don't avoid it because its popular...I avoid it because of its fanboys.

Things I would enjoy, but now avoid, only because the fanboys ruin it for me, by linking enjoyment of the subject with the fanboys in my mind:

The Beatles
Valve Developed Games
Final Fantasy 7 and 6
Anime/Manga

 

[Dapsen]

dude, it really sounds like you need to accept that no 2 people are the same.

it sounds like what you're saying is "everyone likes the trends, some people are just afraid to admit it - why?"

the thing is that some people just dont like any of the options, and have their own alternate option that they'd pick over the given ones.

its like if e.g your favorite band is the Foo Fighters, and someone comes over to you and asks: "so who is your favorite musician? britney spears or kanye west?".
you tell him that your favorite band is Foo Fighters, but he denies it and says: "No thats impossible, you can only like Britney Spears or Kanye West, because they are the only good musicians IN THE WORLD!".

You see, the thing is called an "Opinion". there are thousands of them, and everyone can choose the one that they want.

 

[Rararaz]

I could kind of understand your rant if you were complaining about people saying other or trying to be obscure and different when the question is "what is your favorite from these bands/films/other" but what you are saying is that you want a robotic society where everyone likes the same things.

My gaming and film loves are fairly to very mainstream because my true passion is music. I listen to a lot of pop (here meaning music that is popular, not just chart sort of stuff) but I also listen to even more stuff that is not. My favorite band is my favorite band because they make the music that I identify with and enjoy the most. Have many people hear of them? maybe not. Do I care that other people like other things and have different favorites? No.

I do think that too many people go against what they enjoy becasue they see it as to popular but that is their loss.

 

[Mozared]

Because I do genuinely not listen to that type of music/play that game/ do that whatever?

Furbie hits the nail on the head again.

It's not because I don't want to follow a trend, but simply because I disagree with all the given options. Sure, I can pick the band I like best, but that's not what the topic is asking about. Besides, how fucking boring would this forum be if a poll gave you four options and EVERYONE would pick one of them? The main discussion and interesting points in such threads come specifically from people putting forth their own bands.