Quit The Herd, Overcome The Shadows, And Be A Leader

[Gypsyflamme]

I wanted to share this.....taken from one of my Myspace Blog subscriptions........

Civilization of Zeros

Human beings, like many other species, tend toward group behavior. If you think about all of the different groups, or stereotypical cultures, in society then you can clearly see this tendency toward collective consciousness at work. People, rather naturally, gravitate toward particular herds, or flocks, according to their specific geographical location(s), talents, and, largely genetic, personality dispositions.

In a previous post, I have picked upon one kind of social group; namely the Gothic group. And, in singling out this group, I proceeded to show how I believe that the face of this specific culture, where darkness, doom, and gloom shines, has a biological origin. I believe the culture of doom and gloom comes from a bipolar biological disposition, a state of mind where the left hemisphere dominates the right side. If you wish to learn a bit more along this line then you may read the blog entitled: The Occult Identity Crisis. Now I want to make it clear that our whole society shares this bipolar disposition, and the collective consciousness of the Gothic culture simply gives a face and a voice to that bipolarity.

And, just as the Gothic culture sucks in a certain kind of people who have a predisposition to doom, gloom, and other manifestations of bipolarity, there are plenty of other cultures that work in a similar way. For instance, the culture of sports fanaticism, or the hippies, or the hip-hop culture, or the corporate cubical business world, all suck in the individual to a kind of herd behavior. And each of these kinds of herds often have their own corresponding biological bases.

If you look around society, in light of all the different demonstrations of herd behavior, then you can see that it may be easy, and more popular, to belong to a group rather than develop individuality. We see people gravitate toward herd behavior in every walk of life: from careers to fashions to forms of spirituality. In life, so few people express authentic individuality, and so few people have a voice of their own, that we may safely call human society a 'civilization of zeros'.

And the biological basis for this may be simple: the left hemisphere dominant brain may be responsible for collective, rather herd, consciousness. In most people, this part of the brain exclusively develops at the expense of the right brain. The intense development of this left hemisphere may serve some practical, rather adaptive, purposes: for instance, in times of crisis it may be important for people to freeze and gel together; for, for most people, survival seems more imminant in a group rather than alone. And many kingdoms naturally demonstrate this kind of herd mentality, where most members of the species are simply members of the herd, hunters, gatherers, consumers, and only very few command or oversee that herd.

As far as I know, most people are content belonging to the herd; for there may be less responsibility and less to think about as a follower rather than a leader. These cells of people, who would rather not think, evolve at a slow, snail-like, pace.

At this particular point in history, I believe that leaders are on the rise. I think our world has enough consumers and enough ready followers for a new generation of lions to emerge. Psychologically, this emergence of leaders means the birth of free thinkers. Biologically, the birth of leaders has to do with the end of the left brain dominant culture and the conception of a new culture built upon the foundations of right brain functioning. And, in the near future, as leadership becomes increasingly popular, and as the herd mentality becomes increasingly gross and unpopular, you will witness a, rather revolutionary, change in our education system; where we will begin to recognize how to break our dependence on the left brain and free the latent creativity and individuality pent up in the right hemisphere.

If you want to evolve, come to power, grow, and become an individual, then I suggest familiarizing yourself with brain science. And I am giving you some hints about how the left hemisphere currently dominates most of our attitudes; and how it may be possible to resurrect a great deal of brain power through concentrating upon awakening the potential of the right brain.

The voice of unison, the essence of your individuality, resides there, in the right hemishpere. Power, compassion, and spirituality are the focal qualities. If you are wise then you will do everything you can to pull yourself together and literally get in your right mind.

Quit the herd, overcome the shadows, and be a leader.

V

[jadnifer]

Is this article saying that most people that belong to a sub-culture or a specific group of people have a biological chemical brain imbalance eg. gothic people are bi-polar? Please correct if I am misreading the article.

[ttogreh]

Essentially, the article writer is convinced that Gothic types are depressive-manic clinical types? Great. That, and goths like to shoot up malls and schools.

IT'S MUSIC AND FASHION!

Christ in a boxcar...

[phee]

So... do depressed and bipolar people become goth and then shoot up malls and schools? Or does being goth make you bipolar and depressed and then when that occurs to you, one goes crazy and shoots people. Or is it that acting bipolar and depressed helps someone get goth chicks, and when they break up with you, one becomes ACTUALLY bipolar and depressed and shoots people... and this somehow ties to Marilyn Manson I guess

[jadnifer]

So... do depressed and bipolar people become goth and then shoot up malls and schools? Or does being goth make you bipolar and depressed and then when that occurs to you, one goes crazy and shoots people. Or is it that acting bipolar and depressed helps someone get goth chicks, and when they break up with you, one becomes ACTUALLY bipolar and depressed and shoots people... and this somehow ties to Marilyn Manson I guess

Yeah I guess so. I am bi-polar so does that mean that I was predestined to be goth. Or I am goth because I am bi-polar. I guess the whole reasoning of the article just doesnt make any sense to me.

Good thought process on it, Phee.

[Head Wreck]

humans are not loners, they are pack animals and need a sense of identity. sociopathic personality disorder is the exception to this.

other than them everyone cares what people think of them. a friend and i had a chat of late as to why he felt hurt after i boycotted his site for a while (was for me to cool off before my temper exploded on site, putting him in an aukward sityu) without explaining why, he thought it was something against him personally, i dint realise this at the time.

i'm not bipolar, i have mood swings yes, but that's because i go to work when its dark, and go home when its dark during winter and my vitamin D levels drop.

i just like goth because i'd like to conform to a particular subculture, and that its hard to live with someone when thier fassion sense and music tastes drive you up the wall

[jadnifer]

humans are not loners, they are pack animals and need a sense of identity. sociopathic personality disorder is the exception to this.

other than them everyone cares what people think of them. a friend and i had a chat of late as to why he felt hurt after i boycotted his site for a while (was for me to cool off before my temper exploded on site, putting him in an aukward sityu) without explaining why, he thought it was something against him personally, i dint realise this at the time.

i'm not bipolar, i have mood swings yes, but that's because i go to work when its dark, and go home when its dark during winter and my vitamin D levels drop.

i just like goth because i'd like to conform to a particular subculture, and that its hard to live with someone when thier fassion sense and music tastes drive you up the wall

So are you saying that people who are goth AND loners are sociopathic???

[ttogreh]

Well, four per cent of the population are sociopaths, Jadnifer. It is quite possible that some goths somewhere, some time, are sociopaths.

However, I highly doubt that the rate of sociopathy in Gothic subculture is any higher than that of the population at large.

[Gypsyflamme]

Here's the original Blog Check it out...all about the Science behind the "gothic culture" I found it interesting to say the least.....

[jadnifer]

Quote: "I am not preaching a fashion change. The vampire look works for people who are bipolar or those who are psychological vampires; it's fitting in essence. My point is that if people train to see the trend underneath the surface then they can become free from that trend. I have nothing against dressing up, acting, and embodying the sorrow of the right brain. Yet I think people can use some perspective on why they have arrived at an identification with suffering; people can use such perspective to grow beyond the confines of that identity. " End Quote.

This paragraph right here states that the vampire look works for people that are bi-polar. It seems as if its saying that its a trend that our brains are confused on and our brains can work themselves out and we can be free from what goth is intended to mean.

Please dont get me wrong, I am not trying to start any arguments whatsoever, I am just REALLY trying to understand this author's viewpoint. I understand that they are using scientific facts about the brain, but I really dont think that a whole sub-culture of people have something wrong with them per se.

And why would someone want to grow out of their identity? Isnt that what makes us individuals?

Is the author of this blog goth? I would think that if they were it wouldnt make much sense unless that person is bi-polar or is a psychological vampire and is trying to justify a reason as to why they belong to the gothic sub-culture.

As I stated before I myself am bi-polar but Im not going to run around telling everyone that that is why Im goth.

Sorry but it's not.

[Head Wreck]

So are you saying that people who are goth AND loners are sociopathic???

thier conforming to a subcultural archetype, and maybe the fact they are loners shows that they are worried by what people think of them.

a lot of sociopaths are not dangerous, just indifferent, and a few are quite popular.

when people hear of sociopaths they think of the cases which have developed moral structures that are squif and are generally to indifferent by thier sociopathic personality traits to correct this.

[jadnifer]

thier conforming to a subcultural archetype, and maybe the fact they are loners shows that they are worried by what people think of them.

a lot of sociopaths are not dangerous, just indifferent, and a few are quite popular.

when people hear of sociopaths they think of the cases which have developed moral structures that are squif and are generally to indifferent by thier sociopathic personality traits to correct this.

Yes loners can be afraid of what people would think of them. Its sad that people have to think that way. I did at one time but the fact of the matter is I can only be ME and if someone doesnt like that...then TOO damn bad!

[Head Wreck]

yes, but do you genuinely mean that?

[jadnifer]

yes, but do you genuinely mean that?

Oh yes. I have realized that life is too short to worry about the people that arent going to like me for who I am and I have also realized that they arent worth my time and I would much rather spend my time with people that are and if that makes me a loner than so be it.

[torn asunder]

i have no comment to the article, but the title struck me...

"quit *your* herd, change your nature, and join *our* herd!!"

well, that's what i read, anyway...

[Onyx]

Here's the original Blog Check it out...all about the Science behind the "gothic culture" I found it interesting to say the least.....

That statement looks so funny to me. Science?

How about the science of the country music culture or the motocross culture?

I think he needs to get off the computer, quit thinking so hard about goofy subjects and go dancing and have some fun.

(Come to think of it, so do I).

[Gypsyflamme]

That statement looks so funny to me. Science?

How about the science of the country music culture or the motocross culture?

I think he needs to get off the computer, quit thinking so hard about goofy subjects and go dancing and have some fun.

(Come to think of it, so do I).

Well yes...the "science" behind the gothic subculture......he is trying to put a theorize scientifically WHY certain people in the Goth community are the way they are. He theorizes that we are the way we are due to Bi-polar disorder and other brain imbalances. He says that people's brain chemistries and that alone lead us to the different lifestyles we choose. Kinda like, how scientists are trying to see if homosexuality may be caused by brain imbalances. I thought this to be an interesting theory being that I AM bi-polar, and throughout my life I have questioned if being imbalanced in my brain made me choose certain lifestyle choices. I mean don't get me wrong, I LOVE the way I am and who I am, and wouldn't change it for the world, but I have seen certain friends of mine, who were coincidently goth, and bi-polar, get on medication, and then step away from the lifestyle. I was just curious if they did a study, would they find that the majority of people in the gothic lifestyle had similarities in brain chemistry, and is that what makes us who we are. I don't know, just a thought!

[Troy Spiral (13)]

The core, but unstated idea of encouraging people to read, research and learn new things and take on new ideas and new responsibilities. Expand and find out about new opportunities other than what the latest mindless TV program is, would be a different way to make what i think is the underlying point. Branch out, think about things in new ways, explore new ideas and develop a sense of wonder about your roles and goals in life, not just things within your "comfort zone".

There are plenty of clueless leaders, and plenty of rebels without a clue that go against the grain just because it seems cool or they like to look down on the more social types, for no constructive reason. Being a "freethinker" doesn't necessarily mean your a leader. Nor does being a leader mean your necessarily a freethinker. (Freethinking generally means basing your ideas / opinions based on rationality and science rather than emotions / authorities / traditions etc)

Humans are social animals , that doesn't necessarily mean by being social , your being stupid or close minded. In fact being social is a skill well mastered, the benefits of social behavior are many. The benefits of looking down on and avoiding being social are few. Often the social nature of communications helps germinate new ideas and free thought just as often as it might close off such ideas. Even this post, forum and subject discussion are all benefiting from "the herd" a.k.a being social within a social "group".

Nor is "going against the herd" necessarily a good decision. Often people cling to unpopular opinions that are just wrong, because their ego and/or they are somehow conditioned to think that anything popular must be wrong or somehow is inherently unintelligent. That in and of itself is "not thinking" just on the part of the more loner-ish types rather than the more social.

Take ideas as they come, analyze them based on their own merit , regardless if they are the "herds" ideas or not. Assuming the majority are all wrong can also be a mental trap blinding one to truth that may be unavailable because its right in front of ones face.