The ideology of individualism - when will it be gone?

Hey there,

Not sure where to post this, but anyway, since we live in a society based on individualism, and it has been like that for some time - and I ask, when do you think the whole system of individualism will be banished and/or abolished one day? I myself think that the more amount of corruption rises, and it can kill this system.

What do you think that would cause to bring down this ideology? WW3? WW4? 1984-society style? You be the judge.

Any input is appreciated.

[edit on 3-1-2008 by TheoOne]

reply to post by TheoOne


when? hopefully very soon. we are not based on an ideology of individualism anymore. The counter culture of individualism has been exploited into another trend, pop-culture posing as counter-culture, isolationism is being sold as individualism.

I'd actually say we've devolved from a higher social dynamic into a lower one, where everyone is on their own, compared to the tight communities of history.

That's the one thing that the powers that be fear...the human spirit. Individuality can never die, and there's no power in the world that can stop that no matter what restrictions you try to enforce. It's like trying not to drop the soap in a prison shower by holding onto it as tight as you can.

They could try for years and years, but I know they could never break me and I am damn proud of it. It's a comforting fact to know that one is not alone in this ideology either. Oh wait, is that the death of individualism?

Crap, I started it myself.

reply to post by scientist


That's not necessarily true for everybody, though...and that's an encouraging thought.

Thanks for the incoming replies.

Are you suggesting that individualism is already dead, scientist? Hmm, I don't know...you make interesting point, though.

That's a great post, Sacreligion. I agree with you there, it can exist forever mentally and inside of you, knowing yourself for who you are....but well, I'm talking about on the term of social means. Or perhaps it's slowly dying? BTW, if you hold the soap too tight, won't it jump off outta your hand?

precisely! the more you pressure people the more you drive them away.

i hate to take a quote from a cheesy movie like men in black, but this statement is true:

"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it. Everything they've ever "known" has been proven to be wrong. A thousand years ago everybody knew as a fact, that the earth was the center of the universe. Five hundred years ago, everybody knew that the Earth was flat, and fifteen minutes ago, you knew that humans were alone on it. Imagine what you'll know tomorrow."

all it takes is a couple pebbles in the pond to make a big enough ripple to weaken the surface. i still have faith in humanity, although i've seen plenty of the evils it's capable of. wherever there is light there is dark...just don't be fooled into thinking that if there's only dark, that no light can find its way through.

[edit on 3-1-2008 by Sacreligion]

Capitalism and its baggage promotes individualism and fosters a better than/worse than attitude among many. It does create classes, there should be little doubt of that.

Historically, communism/socialism has worked well to promote the spiritual side of humans. Not having attention drawn away from the mind to persue material wealth and gain... perhaps we sometimes confuse material wealth/gain with utility to open the mind to new ideas and experiences.

Is there a spiritual aspect to becoming intimate with technology? Fire, houses, medicine - these are all primitive technologies from our current perspective. Technology is the manipulation of nature and its forces, and even the most basic cultures manipulate nature - even chimpanzees manipulate nature by crafting simple tools from what nature provides.

What definition of individualism are you referring to, anyway?

1. pursuit of personal goals: the pursuit of personal happiness and independence rather than collective goals or interests

3. belief in importance of individual: the belief that society exists for the benefit of individual people, who must not be constrained by government interventions or made subordinate to collective interests

These definitions appear to be in contrast to one another on the surface, do you think they contrast?

Does a society cater to the individual, or does the individual cater to society?

The ideal would be both, correct? Where do you propose a balance?

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" is still individualism in a sense.

If you seek to end individualism as it is known to you, do you not accept that *you* are the starting point?

Other than that, is it not human nature to want and to desire? to be selfish?

If it is not our nature, then why are so many acting as if it is?

Do you think that humans are inherently prone to manipulation, and that their true nature can be hidden?

It appears that through reason, we can create a model of efficiency for our own race - a way to forego our own nature in order to progress more efficiently.

Is this what you contend?

Originally posted by TheoOne

Are you suggesting that individualism is already dead, scientist?

i guess that depends on your definition. I tend to think of "individuals" as isolated people too scared to form bonds with others, as opposed to a true individual.

I mean.. when everybody is an individual, it's a bit of a farce. It's like that saying "everyone is unique, just like you." If you look at every single marketing campaign these days, it's always geared to "make you more of an individual." When big business tries to sell me a certain lifestyle, it throws up a red flag right away. Divided we stand, united we fall.

reply to post by TheoOne


i think individualism will be gone when we run out of individuals. it's that simple, whenever each person stops being unique in some way, we'll stop having individualism... but that will only happen when everyone is dead.

Im guessing by individualism, he means the ability of a person being Sovereign to him/herself. Look at society today, we're all dependant on another (being someone else). and it's shifted from being a mutual-feed relationship to more of a parasitic drain in this monetary system. Individualism now is very abstract in todays world. The only culture i can think of that really encorporated individualism would be the Native Americans.

to simply answer the question, if majority keeps handing power over to the very few. You can expect Individualism to be dead and buried in a Hive Society by 2070-2100 on our current path. A Generation without knowing themself. Its a scary thought.

/traveling to the future
"Hey Sir, How's Individualism doing?"
" In-di-vid-ual-ism? What is this Individualism? I have never heard of this before. I don't see your code tag, are you not registered with the hive of the divine master? I strongly suggest registering If you are in this patroled zone, the overseers may find such acts against human law. Now If you excuse me i must return to my permanent post in the industrial sector of the divine city. 352711-Out."

[edit on 4/1/08 by Obsurion]