Is non-conformity a thing of the past?

[seveninchblues]

I recall a time when expressing an opinion that was contrary
to the views of society at large,
being anti-establishment and anti-government,
as well as rebellious against those with power and influence
was a feeling that many individuals embraced.

Now, expressing an opinion that is contrary to the views of society at large
is just fine, given that you do not offend any portion of that society.  Therefore, it is
extremely important, that if you are going to rebel in any way, to do so within the guidelines and rules of said society, to not offend any group or groups, to not ruffle any feathers.

As for being anti-establishment, that is fine as long as we are talking about an altogether unpopular presidential administration, but don't dare question the strategies of a popular president, for then you may be called names, and do not dare question the morals and values of the Hollywood actors and the pillars of the music industry and all of their millions and millions of dollars, for even though they may occupy stages and appear on screens fifty feet high, they are no better than you and me. 

It would seem to me that to be a true non-conformist these days, one would have to walk through an angry mob with a target on his back.

[psiberzerker]

It would seem to me that to be a true non-conformist these days, one would have to walk through an angry mob with a target on his back.

That was always the case.  Also, a "True nonconformist."  That's a contradiction like an Unpopular President.  If he was unpopular, he wouldn't have won the popular vote...

 

An unpopular first lady, now that actually happened.  There's different kinds of conformity, and therefore also non-conformity.  There's your Heretic, or Iconoclast who attacks cherished beliefs, and institutions, right or wrong.  That's the critical difference, is it right, or wrong?  You're not judged by whether you're conforming by everyone.  Some people think that's "Cool," and others -let's call them Conservatives- get triggered when someone deviates from the norm.

That's another term for a non-conformist, a "Deviant."  That's being judged by your Deviancy, and not whether it's right, or wrong.  If you're disrespectful of other people's feelings, then people are going to get hurt, and that's pretty much never been cool.  

A political example of Iconoclasty would be your garden variety Anarchist, who's against the State, and Statists, because they're the state, and statists (Whom they see as Conformist.)  However, there are also sub-classes of Anarchist.  For instance Anarcho-Capitalists who just want to keep the Money, but don't want to pay Taxes.  One way to look at them is that they see Taxes as wrong, and therefore resent the government that collects them, however this is with a Reason (Even if an unreasonable reason)  It's not just non-conformity for it's own sake, before it was cool, but against the specific thing they see wrong in the hegemony.  

;

I can go on, but that pisses people off.

[_priapism]

I think conformity is a thing of the past.

When I was a child, people largely fell in line, followed stereotypical roles, and made love on Saturday nights in the missionary position with the lights turned out.  We all went to church on Sundays.  We had three channels and all watched the same things.  Non-conformists were labeled, ostracized, and marginalized.

Today you can pretty much do whatever the hell you want, any way you want to.  And it’s largely accepted, or overlooked.  Yes, we still have a long way to go, but the rampant state imposed racism, sexism, and homophobia, is fading over time, Trump not withstanding. 

So to be a “non-conformist” there has to be a critical mass of “conformists.”  Not sure that is the case any longer.  Certainly won’t be in another 50 years.

[Jed_]

Non-conformity is the new conformity.  Which is why those keeping to traditional conformity feel so left behind.

[_priapism]

Non-conformity is the new conformity.  Which is why those keeping to traditional conformity feel so left behind.

They really get angry about it, don’t they?  I’m saying, “Look no one is trying to take away your right to be a stuck up, twisted, Bible beating white Anglo Saxon evangelical... just give up on teaching creationism in public schools.”  They don’t get it.  Never will.  When you are convinced that Jesus is returning to earth any day now, to slay the Anti-Christ and his demons, and impose a 1,000 year millennium rule of peace, it’s hard to be accommodating.

[Jed_]

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/warren-hurst-tennessee-white-men-rights_n_5daf2189e4b0f34e3a7d4b9d?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuaHVmZnBvc3QuY29tL25ld3MvcG9saXRpY3M&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACfNFtojigagyAx9FCo3T0F_NZVUkJO-6NkJJqEXFEuz2f0icxhRzOm4aOZau8oZ1Xj2tcZQ9hk4X13V2GJtc_QWGB9kVCcsP4R3sSdM-apSgJr0aDiEtBFEz-IrHxbKofC_PufFq2qKm0ZxeEaZf1Vd5xcYwqqNCgMEtkjYg9_U



At risk of moving it to 1408 and politics.