I am probably being an egoistic prick over here but the longer I live the more I realize that I don't consider myself to be a part of any communities in the world. I just don't like the idea. For example, I don't eat meat at this point of my life (for 8 years now) but I am not comfortable calling myself a vegetarian. Why? I just don't want people to judge me because I am this or that. However, when I try to explain this theory of mine, it usually goes like this.
- I don't eat meat.
- So you are vegetarian.
- No, I wouldn't say so.
- But you don't eat meat, do you?
- No, I don't.
- So yeah, you are vegetarian.
-...
Seriously, this is a deeper problem, people. We are not able to see beyond some stupid templates which someone created and distributed to us. I mean, that's where all the prejudice comes from. That's where all judging comes from. Change vegetarianism with something more serious like spending time in jail, and see how people react to that. Yup, in most cases, everyone who spent time in jail is evil by default without a chance to redeem themselves. And all this stuff goes on and on and on.
That is why I don't consider myself to belong to any community in the world. I belong to myself and I do things my own way. And I always expect people to analyze my actions by looking at them but not "knowing" them from their past experiences. Oh, one more thing - this kind of thinking doesn't make you any less social. In contrary, you learn how to communicate with every single living soul in the world, because you stop categorizing everyone and simply interact with them in the real time. That's a rare thing these days...
Pretty straightforward. Well said :)
Thanks man!
Good photo, I am a photographer, it passes for my blog and sees my content, I hope that it should be of your taste, you have my vote :D greetings
Thanks, one of my all-time favorite photo of me! I am using it as my writer's avatar everywhere as it really gives that vibe of a writer. At least to me...
Vibe of a Listener also :)
I totally "get it" I am an introvert and have NO problem with it. I've noticed the problem seems to come from other people that either don't understand what an introvert is or don't want me to be one. :) So many people have some tragic notion of what it means to be an introvert. being an introvert is a nonstop deep-dive of inner thinking adventure. We are just very comfortable with solitude. We are OK with ourselves and get recharging from our own introspection while in solitude. People think we don't care or are anti socal. Couldn't be farther from the truth. Often we care very deeply. We just don't value surface level interactions that most extroverts enjoy. If you are an introvert as it seems, enjoy it , it's a deep diving thought adventure. People just often don't "get it". It's Ok. I get the feeling that you do. Thanks for the post. It was a pleasure. Though I'm not a vegetarian nor do I wish to be but that was NOT the point of the post was it? :) Thanks!
Thanks for your input! To be honest, I consider myself to be both extrovert and introvert. I mean, I am totally ok being alone in my thoughts, but when I meet people, I never shut up and always try to find myself in the middle of the action. I totally enjoy people and I love to interact with them. I just don't like to see groups of people identifying themselves as some sort of community because it so often creates a barrier between that group and the rest of the world. Also, it makes those people act unnaturally if I can say so.
I sometimes love to write pretty drastically and see how others react. By doing so, I try to find a perfect balance of my writing style - I try to make it both interesting and not pretentious. I am still learning, tho!
I wouldn't say
egotistical prick, but you do sound a bit alienated. I agree with some of what you say about templates, etc and it can feel safe being aloof in an ivory tower. I also think nobody stands alone, is an island. there's also no I in team to quote a corny but true motivational phrase. You are part of a commmunity.. of conscious beings, in among that you are a human, there's no escaping that, no matter how ashamed of them collectively or apart from the rest of humanity you may feel.
It's a lonely path
belonging to nothing. But you also have a choice. What I really think you want is to remove labelling. unfortunately we use labels for convenience and it can lead to a banality or complacency in judgement. excellent post and nice use of image. Anyone who can get me to write 2 or more paragraphs in response is worth following and you got my vote, so I consider you part of my community in one way or another. You area steemian and you belong to a community here. remember without people you are just blowing hot steam into the void !! :)
Nice answer, I appreciate it! To be completely honest, I am using those words like egoistic prick just to test how the people react to them. Also, I sometimes love to make things seem more radical on purpose for the same reason. I am testing and sharpening my writing abilities here, so I want to take some risks and see if people get me or think it's stupid. IMO, that's the best way to find my writing style.
As for the topic, I agree with you as well. I am part of many communities, including Steemit, and I enjoy that. It might not seem like that from my post, but I just love socializing and being part of any group of people. I think I intended to say that I don't ever become a radical, who follows the rules for the sake of it, just because other members of the community do that. Do you know what I mean? So in some strange way, I belong to all the communities because I am completely open-minded about things.
Thanks for your answer! I really enjoy when things get lively in the comment section!
yeah i get you. I think it's worthy to try and raise yourself above labels and in some way to try and elevate yourself above partisan thinking.. which is fine if you have a philosophy of your own. Our generations of young people are disconnected from meaningful debate in large swathes because anti-intellectualism is cool for the right. it serves very intelligent and callous people to denigrate other's contribution. keeps them in power. I think let other people decide if you are an egoP but I like the fact that you're testing the water, provoking reaction and refining your style ... onwards and sideways !
So interesting - people have been saying the secret to steemit is the communities. I don't belong in any communities. Literally. It's kind of hilarious. I am an artist - so I post in art - but my art is all about spirituality and magick and most people think of art as realism - so I find a few magick people but then I don't want to participate in group rituals because I am solitary...I like to write on philosophy but my interests are in alchemy and other occult topics, most of which seem downplayed in the philosophy tag - then I come upon your post -and I agree... I am a member of humanity - and that's it - I don't fit in anywhere except everywhere that I like to go and that's ok. I post. I am not wildly popular. OFW.
I understand you! This approach to life really makes you free and able to enjoy every place you are at the present moment I guess! And yeah, at the moment, when I am writing in Steemit, I wish that everyone who is on Steemit would be successful as well, but you know, but I am not part of this community, tho. Taking it even further, communities don't really exist apart the fact that people decided that it exist.
exactly! communities do not exist and they create conformity and group think UNLESS they are moderated by principles - which they usually are not.