Why Be Normal?

[GeistFaust]

Opposing questions to an original question sometimes have as much to do with an innate dichotomy between whether a thing is or not normal. That said we must remember our questions are the result of other questions and end up resulting in other questions.

The thing is the validity of being normal or not depends on how much advantage it can give you to be normal or abnormal socially. I do not think it garners one advantages when they conform to the standard or norm imposed by the Masses. It would be more advantageous socially to define normal or abnormal not based on popular or public opinion but from a rational perspective.

That said it depends on the situation and the possible advantages that can be gained from being abnormal or not and we also need to factor in that since the definition of normal and abnormal is not always going to be determined by common sense whether or not it is profitable to act in a certain way under a certain set of rules in an abnormal or normal way is simply relative.

[Raskolnikov]

The concept of normality is based on a confusion between is and ought, or what is statistically average and what one ought to do or be. Each is meaningful on its own but those who confuse these two kinds of normality fall into a trap of arguing that everyone should be closer to average than they are.

Conversely, they will use the word "deviant" as a negative trait, the opposite of normal, confusing what is rare with what is wrong. They forget that the genius is the ultimate deviant. Do they really think that we all should conform to a herd and limit our culture to the lowest common denominator?

Why be normal? Why not?

Well, speaking of what's normal for my life, here and now, what is normal is pretend to be "abnormal", "deviant", "not part of the herd" or "the masses", to be a "genius", not to "conform". Every idiot was told this. Now what?

You're "somewhat atypical", right? Well, since we're speaking of priding abnormality, since you brought it up - are you, really?

[Boudica]

I don't consider myself normal, normal is boring, if some one were to tell me that i'm "average" or "normal" then I would think that I need to change something.. People need to have a certain thing about them, that makes them abnormal, because it's beautiful and interesting.

[Raskolnikov]

Don't forget to fake insanity.

[Pallantides]

What Charlie Sheen would have said "Normality is for fools and trolls"

[ariaka]

A person shouldn't try to be normal and they shouldn't try to be deviant. They should just be themselves and if it happens to be normal its normal if its deviant its deviant and if its a combination of the two its that.

[Logan]

Should you lack the abilty to have empathy for or give respect to others, then you are abnormal. Abnormal is not a desirable condition. Otherwise you are on your own.

[Aces High]

People need to have a certain thing about them, that makes them abnormal, because it's beautiful and interesting.

Stop watching MTV.

[rhiannon]

Normality can bite me.

[Laudanum]

It's funny, I wouldn't consider myself a normal person at all. I often wear different clothes, I listen to different music and I like different things, yet most people I know say I am one of the most ''normal'' persons they know. It's probably because I really am myself. I'm not putting on an act to just ''be different'' from other people. I am who I am, and therefore people consider me ''normal'' and respect me.