Individualism is something that has come about rather recently in terms of human societies. It seems like over this past century it’s become more of a focus. Perhaps this is because nowadays we have the means and ability to express it to its maximum, or perhaps it’s because one’s physical appearance has become an extremely important factor in judging a person (of which I am personally not in favour).
Uniformity has its benefits; it allows one to feel part of the group and have that feeling of a connection to the people around us.
In contrast, individualism (especially when physically expressed) allows us to form our own personal identities. And usually the internal quest towards individualism can be particularly intriguing and allows for one to meet some rather interesting and inspiring characters. However the physical quest to define our individualism can start to look a bit crazy … even horrifying at times.
We are individuals at birth, everybody knows that no matter where they go in the world there is not a single person that can duplicate them physically (unless you’re a triplet, in which case there are three – all the better!) … our looks are unique. Yet people work so hard define themselves physically as individuals – by making all sorts of alterations to their body – as if they were unaware that they were individuals already. Physically, this takes shape in the oddest ways, surgery and tattooing being the most popular.
Now, I am not about to launch a tirade against either sources, because in truth, they can have quite beautiful end results. I believe, however, that the quest for physical individuality has pushed the boundaries. In fact I am quite sure it has stampeded past all the limits that were ever in place, which is why I have started to feel like it has become slightly horrific.
You shouldn’t have to try so hard in order to formulate a social identity; it seems to me that trying in so much excess is a symbol that represents deep insecurity rather than the ability to physically express individual identity.
These days you see so many different types of people, which speaks volumes for the progression of diversity. Why do people feel the need to distort this diversity by turning it into something freakish (even monstrous) with such drastic physical changes?
Some of the things that may be considered distortions of diversity are body art that encompasses your whole body, changing your face, your nose, your breasts, your hairline, cutting your tongue in half, attaching permanent antennae to your forehead … even sometimes putting a screwdriver in between your eyes!
Is the quest for physical individualism turning so extreme that the only way you can be physically deemed to be an individual is to have a screw-driver between your eyes and two tongues? If you’re doing it as a form of expression then well-and-good. If you’re doing it, however, because of insecurity then it’s not such a brilliant thing anymore. Why does one feel that in order to be recognized as a person, they need to step so far away from what they are? So far from what anyone else on the planet is?
Such extremism can be seen as an expression of deep psychological dissatisfaction with one’s appearance, even as a symbol of feeling inadequate.
Physical individualism shouldn’t have to be expressed so extremely to be acknowledged by other members of society. The freedom to express oneself is a beautiful thing that should not be tainted by turning it into something grotesque. The most beautiful form of freedom is the one that has some boundaries which allow it to maintain its value. Otherwise, it is no longer recognized or cherished. It’s so limitless that the concept itself is utterly destroyed.
All things need balance, even physical expression.
Alter your body all you like, but make sure that at the end of the day you still recognize yourself when you look in the mirror.
Otherwise one day you’ll wake up and see something monstrous there…
Philippa Hatend can be reached at phatendi@spartans.ut.edu