Do we realize how crazy we are?

[Glirdan]

Yes, it does make us different, uniquely differnet at that. But tell me, who here doesn't like being differnet? If we weren't all different and everybody acted and look the same, this world would be a boring place! I perfer being differnet then being the same as everybody else. I love expressing my individuality and telling people how much I like LotR. I like dressing differently because that also expresses what kind of person you are inside. So for me, when I'm on this site, I act pretty much the same way I do when I'm around my friends. CRAZY!!! The only thing that's different is that I'm writing to you guys and I'm not using abreviated words like I would when I'm on MSN.

Again, you seem to have a different idea of general conformity than I do. The majority of people I know, while conforming to fashion and music and the such-like, manage to stay out of trouble. Do I simply live in some sort of Utopia?

That's quite possible TGWBS. But what I meant is that if to be "cool" you have to smoke, then I'd rather not do that. I'd do the complete opposite and express myself. And yes, you're right. Smoking doesn't automatically make you a conformist, idiot or delinquent.

[Estelyn Telcontar]

There might be those who think that the study of Tolkien's works could encourage smoking...

Thanks, tgwbs, for the reminder that different does not necessarily mean better or worse, just different!

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by Bethberry

Every community creates its own identity.

The idea of communities and how they form fascinates me, but even more interesting are the 'rules' which are then created. We do have unwritten rules here, such as accepted ways of writing posts (and there are several), how to approach the issue of someone is basing an argument on incorrect information etc. We also get to know one another, and learn when it is acceptable to have a joke about another member and when they will not tolerate it. For myself, it was a gradual learning process; I was cagey at first and then gradually eased myself into the 'Downs culture. Others pick up the culture much more quickly.

Originally Posted by tgwbs

Non-conforming doesn't automatically make them good, though. I don't think our lack of normalcy makes us any better than people who all, for example, avidly follow Big Brother. It just makes us different.

Everyone has their obsession, even the so-called 'normal' people have 'em, whether it be following footie or watching soaps. In fact, I'd worry if someone didn't have a passion for something other than themselves!

Now, about actually trying to be 'different' - it doesn't work in my opinion. You could decide you will follow a particular 'alternative' way of life or fashion but inevitably someone else will be following it too. And you could to all outward appearances be entirely 'ordinary' but have extraordinary interests. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is just to be yourself, as we only get one shot at life (unless you believe in reincarnation of course) so we may as well be happy.

Originally Posted by Esty

There might be those who think that the study of Tolkien's works could encourage smoking...

If I was to quit (which will be an inevitable thing at some stage ) I'd have to quit reading about Hobbits for a while or I'd go spare reading about all that lovely pipeweed.

[Gurthang]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Now, about actually trying to be 'different' - it doesn't work in my opinion. You could decide you will follow a particular 'alternative' way of life or fashion but inevitably someone else will be following it too. And you could to all outward appearances be entirely 'ordinary' but have extraordinary interests.

Exactly. I said earlier that I didn't like it when people went with the crowd. I guess it's not so much that they go with the crowd, it's that they go with it just to be in the crowd, aka doing the 'in thing'. If people happen to do the 'in thing' because that's seriously what they enjoy, then more power to them. It's the people who are being fake and do what everyone else does just to fit in. It just doesn't work; people see through you and know you're fake.

So I guess conformity is not wholly a bad thing. Conforming to the Downs is a very fun thing, because I truly enjoy posting here. So it's really about motive rather than action.

[alatar]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Now, about actually trying to be 'different' - it doesn't work in my opinion. You could decide you will follow a particular 'alternative' way of life or fashion but inevitably someone else will be following it too. And you could to all outward appearances be entirely 'ordinary' but have extraordinary interests. The best thing to do, in my opinion, is just to be yourself, as we only get one shot at life (unless you believe in reincarnation of course) so we may as well be happy.

Just a thought: Sometimes the whole 'different' thing is just a way to protect oneself. When you act strangely, weird or 'counter,' you might be using that to keep people from approaching you. People can be scary (I'm told that all of the time, right before they reach for the pepper spray...), and so by being odd, you can keep the world at a distance.

Not that that's all bad, yet you don't want to be so different as to always be alone. Sure, you can do it, but life's more fun with someone (is somemany a word?) with whom to share it. One of the cool things about this time is that you can find others easily who are different like you. Imagine wanting to 'talk Tolkien' without access to the internet! That could be one of the reasons that there're voices in my head...

Anyway, be yourself, be with others with whom you can be yourself, and don't be afraid to show people your differences as they might be Tolkien nuts too, but they just might not know it yet.