Right through evolution, living beings have had to choose between survival of the fittest or being a part of the group to survive. To stick to the former, one has had to face challenges of being innovative, being in control, make decisions and a vision for a better future, while for the latter one had to just move with the flow. Historically, there have been individuals and leaders who have changed the perceptions of a whole generation. The unifying spirit of these ‘I”s was that these people believed in something very deeply and had the conviction to go for their dreams, the results at times were good (Einstein, Tagore, Gandhi) and at times not so (Hitler, Shah Jahan, Tughlaq, Bush!).
Marketing, a synonym for creating an illusion is rampantly using the word “I” to get everyone to believe that they can change and do things their own way. The problem arises here. Without any belief, courage or conviction, people have taken up the flag of “I” and started marching. When questioned, they feel someone is encroaching upon their rights and they argue and defend fiercely, not knowing what they stand for. Just oppose (the current Indian political scenario). The few ‘I’s in every generation who do stand up would not revolt just for the sake of being different or to oppose someone. For them ‘I’ stands for independence, the first step to that being an introspection and understanding of the individual.
Individuality is an outcome of a series of different trials & experiences. Humans experiment. Apes simulate.
This post was written in reply to this blog: http://pinspensandbrickbats.com/2010/12/28/the-life-of-i/#comment-74
