Poll: Dare to be Different?

[NeutralMunchHotel]

What do you think about people who want to be different in terms of taste in music, tv, film and games?

Some people just bug me in the way that they will absolutely refuse to listen to any band whose Youtube videos have recieved more that 25,000 views.

But then, to a certain extent, I subscribe to this idea of being different. About a year ago, Vampire Weekend were practically unheard of here in England, and I was one of the first people in my school and my social circle to listen to them. Then, at around the start of this year, A-Punk was released and everybody knew of them. Now it's not as though I absolutely boycotted them and refused to listen to them again - I still listen to their album and love it, just not as regularly as I did. Now I've moved on to Modest Mouse (another nearly unheard of band in England) and am safe in my bubble of difference.

But I was wondering what are your views on trying to be different for the sake of being different, and have you ever been put off a band or a TV show because it suddenly became popular?

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I'm the most out of place person in my town. I *technically* lived here all my life, and *technically* the yonger generation. Unlike most, I have Honour and Morals.

 

[WrongSprite]

I dont try to be different, which is why I've voted no, but I've ended up being different by accident. I can usually fit in if I want to though.

 

[Stevepinto3]

It's a moderation thing. Breaking away from the status quo is good. No advancements have ever been made by repeating whats already been done.

On the other hand though there's the people that insist on being so different they end up just being crap. But it's experimentation, and that's a good thing usually.

 

[Zacharine]

Being different just for the sake of being different is simply stupid. You are still defining yourself and your likes by what other people like. You simply choose the opposite.

People sohuld just be themselves, different or not.

 

[notsosavagemessiah]

I think that if a person is doing something just to try and be different, they are in fact conforming. It's become the new societal norm *at least in the U.S.* to try and be different from everybody else. Consequently, the only real way to rebel is to fit yourself within classic societal values, as everybody else is trying to eschew them. But i digress, if a person is unwilling to listen to something just because a lot of other people like it, that's just stupid, just because a lot of people like it doesn't inherently make something shitty. However, that's not to say that a lot of people don't like things that are in fact, inherently shitty.

 

[Erana]

I dont try to be different, which is why I've voted no, but I've ended up being different by accident. I can usually fit in if I want to though.

And you got angry at Bob for stealing your post...
*sighs*

Of course, I do kinda like being different, but not too different. I wear black mostly for the practical reason that graphite stains don't show up on it, but I also like having that little degree of difference among those I hang out with.
And colors always get me compliments. XD

Still, though, while I mostly keep myself pale for the sake of my health, it was nice when Twilight came around and made it OK for me to be pale.
Well, at least at a women's college riddled with Twilight fans...

And of course, I differentiate myself from the pale people garbed in black by being friendly.

 

[Phenakist]

I tend to do the opposite of the local chav population, which is the "dominant stereotype" around my area, so yeah.

But I've always been against the whole "jumping on the bandwagon" thing, for example, my cousin has changed "supporting" about 6 different football (soccer) over the past 2 and a bit years, that just disgusts me if I'm honest. Nothing has ever been achieved by blending in with the flock.

 

[Captain Pancake]

Ironically, I usually wear jeans and a t-shirt and now i'm one of the only nonconformists in my school...

damn those pink fluorescent tops, they look so silly. especially on a guy.

 

[Randomeaninglessword]

Where I live, I don't know why, but I'm considered so different almost everybody either ignores or hates me. I'm not bragging, I'm just saying it's annoying.

 

[Perwer]

I've always thought this whole business about being different is bullshit. You can't fabricate a personality that deviates from the norm and then claim to be different, it's just stupid. In the end you are doing so in an attempt to be accepted and acknowledged by a group of people, which leaves you different in what way excactly?

 

[Daezd]

If I'm different it's only because of my preferences. No ulterior motive for "individualism."

 

[Bigeyez]

So when something gets popular you all of a sudden don't like it? Oh yeah way to show your individuality right there! *rolls eyes* Being different just for the sake of being different is ironically you just conforming to the group of people who think you like you; The "oh it's popular lets all hate it" crowd.

Real individuality is you sticking to your own preferences and likes whether or not it's popular, unpopular, made fun of, etc, etc.

 

[LetheanLilith]

Being different intentionally is just trying to do what everyone else doesn't do, which is a lot like conforming.
Personally, I consider myself oblivious to what is "popular" and what isn't - I don't judge what I like based on how other people feel towards it.

 

[historybuff]

I don't worry about it. To purposefully try to be different is just a different style of conforming. To conform is a human condition.

So it doesn't really bother me. I do what I like. And if other people things it's weird/different--well, ah well.

 

[bodyklok]

I don't even know what is and isn't differen't any more. I'm a fairly reserved and introverted, but I can't say that's different because there are millions of people like that. I'd say I'm differen't from most of the people I know, but, that's more to d with appearances and outlook than anything else.

I guess I'm just saying what everyone else is about there are so many people there must be someone else like you out there. Which I guess proves my point.

 

[Skeleon]

To loosely quote South Park:

"To be one of the non-conformists, all you have to do is dress just like us and listen to the same music we do."

I try to find my own style but I'm not desperately avoiding anything mainstream.

 

[Kajt]

I don't try to be different, I just am what I am.

 

[Faps]

I do what I want and screw everyone else

 

[azurawolf]

I remember trying to be the same as everyone else when I was younger because I wanted to be accepted but I found that to be a complete waste of time. I eventually started to just be me and found that I was naturally different and there was nothing wrong with it. I listen to what I want, watch what I want, and do what I want. Sure I get looked down by some of my choices but who cares?