A Discussion of Being a Unique Individual

There is this thing that exists that can receive moving images and matching sound through some sort of magical and/or mystical means and display them on various rectangular screens. Some people call this television. I rather refer to it as "moving images and matching sound received via some sort of magical and/or mystical means and displayed on various rectangular screens". But for the brevity of this post I'll use the vernacular of the peasantry and henceforth call it "TV".

Anyways, so I was watching this television program on the TV (years ago, I don't recall exactly when) and it was discussing how people respond to peer pressure in different situations. For example, they took some average fellow and placed him in a room with some other folks who were part of this experiment. This group were going to be shown some objects on a screen and they were to respond by saying how many objects they see. The people planted in this group were instructed to always be wrong about the number of objects but always agree with each other. There may be ten dots on the screen but they would all say fifteen, for instance. Obviously the one guy who was not in on it would be very confused as there were blatantly ten items and he would begin by responding with the correct number regardless of what any of the other people said. He would even look around at them with incredulity no doubt wondering if they were just joking.

This would continue on for quite some time. The man would seem to go through phases. At first it was easy for him to defy the rest and give the correct answer but the whole time he was confused with his brow furrowed, attempting to understand the situation. After a time he would quietly begin checking with those sitting near him, asking what was going on and if they were sure of their answers. As were instructed the rest of the group responded with nods and expressions of "of course we're sure. It's obvious."

Soon enough, even though the man was still defying the convention and giving the correct answers it began to show that he was becoming quite uncomfortable. He would only briefly look at the screen to determine the correct answer and look away before giving his response. The consistent strain of being the one out of many that stood out with a different response was wearing on him. His shoulders appeared slumped, his voice became low and finally he gave in. Having shortly glanced at the amount of objects on the screen he put his head back down, waited to hear what wrong answer the rest would give and then, he too, said the wrong answer.

It was quite interesting. If the situation were more subtle he may have not been so confused. But it showed that even when the answer is so obviously wrong the human mind can be made to see it as right, or at least convince itself that it is right to see it that way. There is only so much resistance to fitting in. 

One aspect I found particularly interesting in this experiment was that it was tried on several different people with differing personalities. One such fellow stated in a pre-recorded interview mentioned that he was a unique individual and actually went out of his way to stress that he marches to the beat of his own drummer. This self identification was emphasized by things like his clothing and his satisfaction at the self-concept he described. 

The funny part came when it was shown what happened when this man was subjected to the test. Upon the very first round of questions as to how many objects were on the screen and having heard all the wrong, yet consistent answers from the rest of the group, this man did not flinch in joining with them to give the incorrect answer. He sat proud and unwavering in his belief that the amount of objects on the screen were whatever everyone else said they were.

Does this mean that proclamations of uniqueness among many is actually an attempt to stifle insecurity in a profound way? The outward expression of individuality is proportionate to the deep desire to, surprisingly, be one of the many?

Yeah, probably.

Finally, at the close of this program another experiment was demonstrated. In a crowded area an actor was to act injured or in distress. Several other actors were instructed to walk on by and give the poor fellow no attention. Upon doing this it was found that the majority of real people happening upon this, though often expressing concern in their facial features, would also walk on by. It was showing a group mentality. The first one to remove themselves from the normal proceedings would, quite obviously, have attention focused on them. Even for a good cause such as this; helping someone in need. The desire to remain with the pack superseded this. 

However, the interesting thing is when someone did finally stop to see if they actor needed assistance there were no negative repercussions. Despite the invisible barrier of social conformity. In fact, when one stopped several others did as well. The seal had been broken and a new pack of those compassionate individuals could form. They could check on this man by leaving the group that was ignoring him to join the group checking on him. Since they weren't the first to break away, there was no downside. Even though none existed in the first place. 

Can we learn anything from these experiments? Maybe. It's possible we're too entrenched in our attempts to fit in to recognize ourselves in these examples. But we're probably in their somewhere. We're fitting in with something, somewhere. The truly unique individuals in the world are rare and probably thought of as odd by everyone. Because they are. 

But, upon being made aware of these things, and taken with the crazy concept of stopping and thinking about situations we're in, perhaps we can try to recognize that the only thing holding us back from doing the right thing or expressing the obvious truth is nothing but non-existent, terrible, horrible repercussions made up in our minds.