Is there a war on individuality?

Answer 1

When we speak of individuality, what we really are referring to is an idealised concept of something unique or special. Human beings however are socially conditioned to conform to norms within their culture. From childhood we are exposed to recurring themes within everything from etiquette to fashion. All that we know is based upon things we have seen, learned, and experienced. When we express ourselves, it is a reflection of our culture and personal experience, and in no way truly "individual".

In evolutionary terms, humans are programmed to recognize and more readily accept things which fit easily into their internal cataloging system (things which are similar to that which they already know). Within conformity there is safety, comfort, and a sense of what we mean by "normal".

So there is no "war" on individuality per se, but this goes some way to explaining why opinions may differ between people of different cultural backgrounds, and age groups.

On the other hand, we have had several recent examples of the most powerful Democratic politicians making strong anti-individual statements. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have said unambiguous things like "we have got to get away from the cult of the individual" and "if you own a company, you didn't build that, other people made it possible." It's understandable that some interpret this sort of sentiment as expressing a war on individuality.

Answer 2

While criticism of individuality exists, particularly in the context of conforming to societal norms or groupthink, it wouldn't be accurate to term it a "war." Many believe embracing individuality is important for personal growth and societal progress. It's more about striking a balance between expressing oneself authentically and respecting others' opinions and beliefs.