Oppressive society

[Wolfus]

Hi.

So, some days ago, I was with a classmate in a snack bar. I was complaining about how I hate using braces. Then, she asked "why do you use it?". Well, as a normal person, I answered: to fix my dental arch, as it would be very "incorrect" otherwise.

Then, she said " Who said it would be wrong? It's just the opressive society dictating that one's dental arch should be like that".

Isn't that just cute? Isn't it "awesome" how we got this new brand? The brand nowdays seems to be: If you're completelly useless or unable to fit one or more patternos of society, then, instead of "fixing" yourself, you simply say that society is opressing you, and BAM, you're the victim, and society is the evil monster, right?
And of course, those who also think like that and support that thought, well, they are heroes, right?

Basically, we're just keeping that old habit of blaiming everyone else for something instead of looking to ourselves first, and this time, we're literally blaiming everyone, right?

How stupid can humanity get? Oh, and if you think like that, you deserve to have your brain removed due to disuse.

Oh, and ironically, she once said that religious people are all dumb. Of course she can say that, she is a genious...

 

[Tingun]

Everyone wants to be an anti-gov hipster.

 

[Kaneki Kun]

When it comes to things like braces no, it's just common sense to know your teeth aren't supposed to grow with an overbite or underbite, etc.
Honestly whatever the majority agree with is what's considered normal and if your not part of the majority your looked as "weird"

 

[OMGitsShakra]

I believe you took her response a little personal. While she is right in a sense, we also do have scientific evidence to back up what is or isn't a healthy arch persay. If you were happy with how your teeth/mouth were, and didn't want them changed...then thats fine, and you will be fine with them looking the way they were suppose too. But, if you are unhappy with them, and you want them straighter or fixed....then thats your business, and you should do what makes you happy.

Its easy to put blame on others, obviously, its what we constantly do and seems like a natural human trait. But...that doesn't mean thats really the case. It doesn't matter if society thinks that your mouth should look a certain way, it all boils down to what you want your mouth to look like..and if what was wrong with it could have been life threatening.

 

[Disquiet]

I suppose my way of thinking can be considered hipster, or maybe not. I don't really care.

Though in my opinion, where most "hipsters" make their mistake at is believing that everyone who participates or conforms to society is wrong for doing so (which is not necessarily the case). An easily understandable analogy would be to give them their own world, hypothetically speaking. Would they keep everyone out of that world? Doubt it. Will people be wrong for wanting to participate in the fun and activities of their world? Doubt it. Will people be wrong for wanting that world to grow and prosper? Doubt it. Whether the creator is one person or hundreds of people, the individuals that make up that society isn't necessarily wrong for indulging in it.

However, if a person can not like or be apathetic toward one component of society (which would be considered normal to most people), there's nothing stopping them for disliking or being apathetic toward all of society. If I created my own world, I can't really blame those who dislike it completely, even if they're a minority. However, most people hate differences, and will try to degrade everything that's different or is in opposition with their views.

 

[China IL]

The ame way you have an opinion of how stupid he is, she has an opinion on society =_=

I agree with you though >.O

 

[6ari8]

You should watch

You must be registered for see links

. It's a great anime that talks about that issue.

 

[Wabbit]

I dnt think someone would be dumb idiot for just thinking like that. May be thats how she sees the society whatever you could have changed her opinion..It is ok coz sometimes you cant fit in everything but a fat guy saying that he should loose weight becase society wants him to loose weight and as you said saying oppressive society is dumb. I dnt think braces are big issue. I have irreregular dental structure and my parents didnt care because it is too expensive, So they didnt mind to care. XD
I remember from southpark that "Kim Kardashian is a FRAUD who's poisoning the minds of impressionable young women with photoshop"

 

[~Sky~]

Of course. When something goes wrong, naturally the last thing most people blame are themselves.

This anti-conformity towards society is just another part of society nowadays. So many people have this opinion that it's too popular to be considered thoughtful or original.

This disfunction also happens to be a main problem in society and causes quite a lot of distrust among people, and there's much more to blame then just one group. All this aside, I'm afraid there isn't much of a solution to this problem.

 

[NarutoB]

Get money get *****es and **** the government

 

[Disquiet]

Some of the posts here made me realize I missed something else. We (not just hipsters, but humans in general) do indeed, blame others or aspects of society rather than ourselves. We can blame religion or money for causing wars, but the truth is, it's human nature that causes wars.

"We can't change human nature, so there's no need to think about it."

That's basically admitting that the best system we can come up with is doomed to fail. Technological advancement conjoined with the stagnant nature of humans is a THREAT to society, in the long run.

Those stones aren't getting the job done? How about bow and arrows?

No? How about a gun? Still quite not destructive? How about a missile?

How about biological weapons?

Don't know how to construct explosives or chemical weapons? Give it a while, something called the internet will emerge.

Can't get your hands on some of the more powerful stuff? Then try to get the money/make the right connections.

Need to know how to psychologically control/ruin someone? There's a whole science that can teach you.

...

One of the best ways to kill off an advancing intellectual species that can only suppress their nature here and there, is to let nature runs its course...

Idealistically, there's many things one should consider before conforming. Don't get me wrong, I can understand your situation. But, if a friend told me they wanted to get plastic surgery on themselves to look like the beautiful girls that we see all over the media, I'll give my opinion on it. If she thinks I'm stupid for it, then so be it. If she just starts wearing makeup because other women wear it and looks prettier than her (subjective), rather than for her own happiness, then I'll probably give my opinion (the decision is still hers, and it depends if she wants to hear what I have to say every time she makes a decision lol). Back when Caucasians dominated most of America, should have the other races conformed and just accepted inferiority? In some societies, women are oppressed. Does that mean I can just tell that society what to do? No. Does that mean I'm not allowed to have an opinion on it? No. Does that mean if one of those women decided to speak out/give their opinion, they deserved the following: You non-conformist hipster! Just accept society!

Being a non-conformist isn't necessarily a bad thing (which is why I italicized 'necessarily' in my first post). I can see a potential problem if some people rejected any and every idea society put forth (unless the society is just that bad lol) . At the same time, I can see a problem if people accepted any and every idea society put forth. Non-conformity and conformity can be a huge problem. Though as I said before, it really lies within human nature. "Pick a side, and antagonize the opposition as if you're trying to prove to yourself that your side is the correct one."

I think, idealistically at least (I wouldn't recommend something like keeping your child away from doctors because you think it's conforming to society), that you should question everything.

If we really want to develop and continue to flourish as a society, we're going to have to get rid of these barriers that lie deep within us. Though, that's the problem, it's easier said than done. If you're religious, then you probably have your answers, everything must come to prophesy and the good will get their reward in heaven or some kind of utopia and the bad will be erased (solving the issue). If you're atheist, you probably have a "live life to the fullest" philosophy, since no answers to this problem are likely to be given (there is no answer to this issue).


Right now, we must have hope that the leaders of our countries are at least smart enough not to do anything that will kill themselves or their citizens.

It almost seems like an ultimatum is being presented to us. "Stop and see the bigger picture, or continue the vicious cycle."

I just hope it doesn't come to the point history will never have a chance to repeat itself. That would be one way to stop the cycle.

 

[Jazzy Stardust]

She must be cute cause I don't see how you can talk to her when she says stuff like that.

 

[Mamoru]

I don't really understand the story, but yea, I agree. People tend to find blame everywhere else except from within. Sometimes it truly is the fault of a society, but who's going to fix it? Only that person can.

But as someone else said, people like to be anti-gov hipsters nowadays to feel "unique" about themselves.

 

[Bastian]

So Socratic method is dead, she tried to ask a question as misguided as it was, bad but possibly insightful joke aside. I think the bigger issue at hand is ,not an oppressive society, but one that promotes conformity. Also a society that inhibits thinking, or original thought rather. This only applies to developed countries really, but it's ironic that in the age of the internet , where information is readily available, people are dumber than ever.

 

[LED ZEPPELIN]

Cultural marxism is bad and you should feel bad

 

[Avani]

Hi.

So, some days ago, I was with a classmate in a snack bar. I was complaining about how I hate using braces. Then, she asked "why do you use it?". Well, as a normal person, I answered: to fix my dental arch, as it would be very "incorrect" otherwise.

Then, she said " Who said it would be wrong? It's just the opressive society dictating that one's dental arch should be like that".

Isn't that just cute? Isn't it "awesome" how we got this new brand? The brand nowdays seems to be: If you're completelly useless or unable to fit one or more patternos of society, then, instead of "fixing" yourself, you simply say that society is opressing you, and BAM, you're the victim, and society is the evil monster, right?
And of course, those who also think like that and support that thought, well, they are heroes, right?

Basically, we're just keeping that old habit of blaiming everyone else for something instead of looking to ourselves first, and this time, we're literally blaiming everyone, right?

How stupid can humanity get? Oh, and if you think like that, you deserve to have your brain removed due to disuse.

Oh, and ironically, she once said that religious people are all dumb. Of course she can say that, she is a genious...

The girl was probably not even half serious.. when she made that comment. Did she try to convince you to get rid of those braces for real?

 

[Tingun]

So Socratic method is dead, she tried to ask a question as misguided as it was, bad but possibly insightful joke aside. I think the bigger issue at hand is ,not an oppressive society, but one that promotes conformity. Also a society that inhibits thinking, or original thought rather. This only applies to developed countries really, but it's ironic that in the age of the internet , where information is readily available, people are dumber than ever.

...
Hm what?

 

[Bastian]

...
Hm what?

What do you think is a greater promotion of thought, watching TV or staring at the blank screen of your TV. Technology starts doing the thinking for us, because it is convenient in our lives. ( Think GPS, Applications etc.) Video games, advertisement bombardment, internet forums, television it's all the same. Self awareness is dying, far too many people go through their lives in a state of routine. When you're stuck in routine your subconscious mind does far too much of the thinking for you. What's the big deal with Facebook and twitter and reality TV anyway do people care about others lives more than living their own. Knowledge isn't down, mind you, but rather cognitive thinking is.

In the age of the internet all the answers are there for us, so why bother thinking about them or asking the why. Just Google it right.

Probably one of the greatest philosophers of all times said, I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. For the record it was Socrates, whose method I mentioned before. It was not a debating method, of which we imagine a debate to be today, but rather a method of inquiry and questioning. Meant to promote thoughtful conversation.

I can't be asked to write anymore so hopefully you get my point, anyway I believe psychology should be made mandatory in school. High Schools mainly, an understanding of one's own psyche is important.

 

[EnDash]

Hi.

So, some days ago, I was with a classmate in a snack bar. I was complaining about how I hate using braces. Then, she asked "why do you use it?". Well, as a normal person, I answered: to fix my dental arch, as it would be very "incorrect" otherwise.

Then, she said " Who said it would be wrong? It's just the opressive society dictating that one's dental arch should be like that".

Isn't that just cute? Isn't it "awesome" how we got this new brand? The brand nowdays seems to be: If you're completelly useless or unable to fit one or more patternos of society, then, instead of "fixing" yourself, you simply say that society is opressing you, and BAM, you're the victim, and society is the evil monster, right?
And of course, those who also think like that and support that thought, well, they are heroes, right?

Basically, we're just keeping that old habit of blaiming everyone else for something instead of looking to ourselves first, and this time, we're literally blaiming everyone, right?

How stupid can humanity get? Oh, and if you think like that, you deserve to have your brain removed due to disuse.

Oh, and ironically, she once said that religious people are all dumb. Of course she can say that, she is a genious...

it depends, did you get the bracers because you wanted too or because society said you should?

if you wanted the bracers and the fixed teeth, excellent, you're doing it right. if you got them because someone made a comment despite the fact that you hate them, you are just doing it to please someone else's opinion on how you should be. teeth are not really the issue, but stuff like anorexia and ridiculous plastic surgeries are the fault of an opressive society that would like us all to be like neatly packaged robots. and you know what they do if there's a manufacturing fault in one of the products right?

it reminds of a qoute from the tv show House M.D. i liked:

Skinny, socially privileged white people get to draw this neat little circle. Everyone inside the circle is normal. Everyone outside the circle should be beaten, broken and reset so they can be brought into the circle. Failing that, they should be institutionalized or worse, pitied.

 

[Tingun]

What do you think is a greater promotion of thought, watching TV or staring at the blank screen of your TV. Technology starts doing the thinking for us, because it is convenient in our lives. ( Think GPS, Applications etc.) Video games, advertisement bombardment, internet forums, television it's all the same. Self awareness is dying, far too many people go through their lives in a state of routine. When you're stuck in routine your subconscious mind does far too much of the thinking for you. What's the big deal with Facebook and twitter and reality TV anyway do people care about others lives more than living their own. Knowledge isn't down, mind you, but rather cognitive thinking is.

In the age of the internet all the answers are there for us, so why bother thinking about them or asking the why. Just Google it right.

Probably one of the greatest philosophers of all times said, I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. For the record it was Socrates, whose method I mentioned before. It was not a debating method, of which we imagine a debate to be today, but rather a method of inquiry and questioning. Meant to promote thoughtful conversation.

I can't be asked to write anymore so hopefully you get my point, anyway I believe psychology should be made mandatory in school. High Schools mainly, an understanding of one's own psyche is important.

This still remains one of the most educated periods in history, between the the 20th and 21st centuries. This is were I don't quite understand your postulate. While youth now are generally educated in rather broad but beneficial subjects, youth in past eras were rarely literate unless they were among the privlelaged or in elite. Most children learned sets of vocational skills and remained ignorant to other fields.
Reliance and over - reliance, while detrimental in many physical and sensory spheres, is needed for the development of any modern society, as eventually technology needs to be advanced enough for humans to cease the need for non-social interactions. In between the time this development takes place a period like this will always have to occur.

As far as your concern for the effects of different media forms on culture, society and general intellectual acuity. I can assure you that free thought has not been damaged by these things in any way that hasn't been seen in the past. The rapid advancement of technology surely makes up for any lack of social depth in parts of the current generation, as well as the simple fact that things such as social consciousness, philosophy, sociology, psychological, anthropology and so many other fields that inspire thought and debate are readily available to a large portion of the populace of most first world countries. The same cannot be said for many other periods in history.

Even if it could be argued that things such as google inhibits the natural learning process in ways that cause it to be less effective than the learning in past eras, it could aldo be argued that there are still many people who continue to adk questions and study in a more philosophical manner. The only difference is that now instead of there being a large margin in between those thinkers (the elite) and the common man, both are educated, and one has a method of higher learning.

In other words we have created a middle class of thought so to speak, as opposed to the social elite versus the proletariat, where the latter and largely uneducated.

All these things are better in my opinion.