Fellow Non-Conformist (or aspiring Non-Conformist) 👋🏾
Here are this week’s resources, with which I hope to encourage you to continue resisting mindless conformity, or to motivate you to stop conforming mindlessly:
(Click on the book title to buy or read a sample of the book.)
The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life by Erving Goffman
The Presentation of Self In Everyday Life explores the concept of social interactions as theatrical performances. Goffman argues that individuals engage in impression management, carefully crafting their behaviour, appearance, and words to create desired impressions on others.
People divide their lives into “front stage” (where they present themselves to others) and “back stage” (where they can relax and be themselves) areas, strategically managing their performances to maintain social order and gain social acceptance.
Goffman’s work sheds light on the pressures individuals face to conform, the strategies they employ to maintain a desired image, and the impact of conformity on their self-expression and authenticity.
A longer summary of the book, 5 quotes, 5 key takeaways, and 5 actionable tips, which I expanded on, are in the latest issue of The Individual™
Ideally, what should be said to every child, repeatedly, throughout his or her school life is something like this: “You are in the process of being indoctrinated. We have not yet evolved a system of education that is not a system of indoctrination.
We are sorry, but it is the best we can do. What you are being taught here is an amalgam of current prejudice and the choices of this particular culture. The slightest look at history will show how impermanent these must be.
You are being taught by people who have been able to accommodate themselves to a regime of thought laid down by their predecessors.
It is a self-perpetuating system. Those of you who are more robust and individual than others will be encouraged to leave and find ways of educating yourself—educating your own judgements.
Those that stay must remember, always, and all the time, that they are being moulded and patterned to fit into the narrow and particular needs of this particular society.”
— Doris Lessing, The Golden Notebook
That’s all for this week. I look forward to serving you again next week. In the meantime, feel free to follow Dangers of Conformity™ on Twitter, where I tweet a few times every day, celebrating individuality and condemning mindless conformity.
One Love ✊🏾
Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Programs You May Want/Need to Invest In 👨🏫
Look Cool While Spreading the Message 😎
Poem available on a mug, smartphone case, tote bag, throw pillow, sweatshirt, etc.
Did Someone Forward You This Email? ❤️
Tell them I appreciate them, and then click here to subscribe for FREE to get these emails sent directly to you—you will receive only one email per week!
This extremely beautiful email was sent via the best newsletter platform! Try beehiiv 👏