June 2, 2008
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Internet Island Topic Post #35: Uniqueness
Internet Island Topic Post #35: What makes you unique?
35.1 What makes you unique?
35.3 Is uniqueness a trait to be favored or derided, and why?
When I wrote the latest Internet Island topic about "uniqueness", I figured that it would be relatively easy for people to come up with something unique or "different" which makes them stand out from a crowd. The second comment I received, however, seemed to want to put a nail into that particular coffin. The comment I received: "The word "unique" means "one of a kind" or "utterly alone" in something. None of us is utterly alone in any of our traits of characteristics. Our manner habit, dress, job, hobbies, etc - all are shared with someone else somewhere. So sorry, I am not unique." This is quite thought provoking, and I have to hand it to this particular Islander to have come up with this particular answer to the topic. I am of the opposite mindset, however. I believe we are all unique to a certain extent, and that is what makes us human.As humans we are part of the animal kingdom. If we look at the physical traits of any group of animals, we find that most species are alike in looks, demeanor, and actiions. All animals except man seem to have similar identities to each other throughout their histories. Of course we will believe that our pets are unique and have distinct personalities, but most black cats, for instance, look pretty much alike. Most greyhound dogs, as an example, can't be told apart at first glance. Lions, tigers, and bears are have similar features, actions and demeanor. Sure, there are tall bears, and short bears, but bears for the most part do not have the dissimilarity of features that characterize the human race.
We have black bears and white bears, so I guess we could say there are animal "races", but they certainly aren't as distinct as those seen in mankind. Within each race, the variety of facial expression and bodily types are myriad. A gaggle of geese are not immediately distinctive. A pack of wolves are more a pack than a group of individual wolf-beings. But take any group of human beings and you will find quite distinctive traits among them. Sure, we humans all pretty much have two arms, two legs, a head with a face, and a body, but each one of these faces and bodies is somewhat unique, being distinct from those faces adorning and bodies inhabited by other human beings.
We have a destiny of uniqueness. This is a trait to be honored and respected. If I gather 30 or 40 chihuahuas in a room, I daresay you would find more similarity than difference in this crowd of small dogs. 30 or 40 humans, and you'd be able to pick individuals out from the get go. Animals are not for the most part unique, but the human animal is.
The special thing which makes us unique most of all is not our facial features or our body. It is our mind. While other animals do communicate, and science has found that some animals even have language, for the most part they operate on instinct rather than thought. The human animal thinks all the time, and this makes him much more unique. Each thought, while coupled in the Universal Mind, is individual in our corporeal existence. My thoughts are universal and all encompassing, but they are first and foremost my thoughts, and these are unique to me. I am forged by my life, molded by my experience, my thoughts and feelings are mixed with and informed by those of others for sure, but in the end, I am the unique repository of my own mindset. These thoughts include feelings, or emotions. Each human has emotions. We rarely see our cats and dogs cry or laugh, although perhaps they do, but we experience these "human" feelings all the time. Some people can guide their emotions more steadily than others, but we all possess them. How these emotions play on our psyche, and how our feelings intereact with our thoughts are two of the ways in which we remain unique among our human brethren. We might all possess "happiness" or "grief"" but how these emotions play in our personal "universe" is part of what makes us unique.
In some societies, the idea of uniqueness among humanity is derided. In Japanese society, for example, the "nail is hammered down." The society frowns on the specialness of the individual. In American society, the opposite is true more often than not. Americans seem to laud and applaud the concept of specialness. The more unique someone is, the more they are encouraged to "stand out."
Each one of us can likely point to a physical, emotional, or intelligent trait which makes us a bit different from the guy or gal standing next to us. It is these differences which help to make the human race such a diverse group of beings. There is a thread of humanness which flows through us, and which unites us, but because of our differences, we can easily cut this thread.
It would be best to leave the thread uncut, even if we don't agree or can't understand the feelings and thoughts of our brethren. If we honor our uniqueness as humans too much, and forget that we are attached to each other as human animals, then we risk the chance that we will lose global understanding and communication. We should treasure both our unique veiwpoint, but we should also treasure the connectedness which binds us all, to each other and to our planet.
We aren't just a flock of seagulls, or a gaggle of geese. We are a group of individuals, with distinct and beautiful minds, able to not only simply communicate, but to entertain, enlighten, and encourage. We are special.
We are unique.
Comments (65)
I often find that when we try to justify human behavior or make any form of comparison between humans and animals, it often comes up short. Simply because humans are humans and animals are animals. Sure, scientifically humans are animals too, but there's a big difference here. The non-uniqueness of animals stems from their small brains and lack of creativity. We, as humans, don't really fit into that category, so of course, when compared to animals, we are all totally unique. But if you really look at it on a human level, it is very curious how readily people tend to toss around the word unique. Almost all of our traits and charactersitcs are learned or acquired traits. We observe that which is around us and adapt to it or formulate ideas off of it. Almost everything we do as humans we have acquired through the example of someone else, especially now that there isn't a whole lot of room left for creativity in the world, as I honestly believe we are quickly approaching the apex of human imagination. But even the first humans, whether they were Adam and Eve, or whether they were those Geico guys all got their information and behavior via observations of nature around them (or perhaps some degree of divine inspiration).
Basically, my whole point to this, is that there is quite a ring of truth to the comment left by that individual you mention up there. While I still believe that on an earthly scale, and by earthly deffinition, we can be unique, if you were to raise the scales a little bit, and look at the word not from the eyes of a human, but from the perspect of some level of omniscent being, you will find that we humans are not really so unique after all.
Pacem
trying to figure out what makes me unique is too self centered an assignment for me to enjoy, to be honest...i prefer looking at what makes others unique...
If I were to point at something about myself I consider unique, it would have to be the process in which I approach "rants" or issues. I usually follow a pattern during times of stress:
Step 1. Anarchical/Chaotic Rationalising - Everything starts out as a whirlwind of thought and emotion juxtaposed to a slightly rationalistic mindset. This is the least rational stage of my approach and comes across extremely angry. If in writing, sentences will be pockmarked with obscenities and personal attacks. Verbosity is at a minimum. In verbal, thoughts come out disjointed and the speaking level is above normal with a tone that ranges from irritated to psychotically irate.
Step 2. The Cool Down - During this time, some emotional activity remains, though diminished, and I begin to think clearer about the issue at hand. Rationalisation takes a forefront and begins to win over the mental activities. In writing, obscenities seem to diminish slightly and verbosity is a little more apparant. In verbal, Thoughts become less convulted and begin to mesh together. Tone decreases to a lesser of whichever the tone was prior.
Step 3. Intellectual Rationalising - In the final step, nearly all emotional activity ceases and Rationalisation is now in complete control. In writing, verbosity is now a major driving force and obscenities are limited, though still apparent. In verbal, all emotion is unapparent and thoughts are concise.
I'm a very strange individual.
Nice write! The only thing I'd disagree with it that animals are not unique too. I'm almost always amazed by thier different 'personalities', and even the variations in, for example, the feathers and coloring of individuals in a flock of gulls.
While any group of critters or humans may indeed have more similarities than not, it is the differences that help make life so darned interesting!
Great points on uniqueness, Mike. I think you hit a home run on a lot of things.
I find that often times people realize their own uniqueness and yet they allow society to make them smaller than what they should be. This is troubling as the greater good of our worldly community is halted in progress because of our perspective to stay in the illusion of "normal". I've often spoken about this (And I'm becoming a broken record) but I think society really needs to grasp the fact that life is simply too short to accept any limitations brought upon them. I really think we could do a lot of we challenged ourselves to be ourselves.
When I read about the East vs. West thing, I thought of a site that I think you might like:
http://www.funenclave.com/reality-bites/culture-east-vs-west-13399.html
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You make some very valid points about uniqueness
And while the person who commented you also made a good point... that our traits are shared somewhere else....there is still something unique about every one of us. It's the different combinations of all those traits that prevents possibility of duplication. Astounding. :coolman:
"We" are unique, but what makes *you* unique?
And why on earth would you want to put 30 chihuahuas in one room?
Indeed, it is our minds that make us unique..well said....I also would like to know what makes you unique by your own definition?
I agree with the last two comments. . .you did address the subject of uniquiness. . .but not of YOUR uniquness...not really except to say that your thoughts are unique unto you. Come on Mike. . .if you give the challenge, you gotta show us how to do it! :giggle:~Jeri
I agree with llibra... We tend not to see the uniqueness in animals because we are keyed into observing our own kind. When you stop and observe any creature long enough, you are bound to find qualities in it that set it apart from others of its kind. It would be better to state that All things are unique, from the stars and random pebbles on the beach to plants and animals and people. We all have our unique characteristics, and acknowledging that is not the sin of anthropomorphism that some scientists would have it made out to be.
I also agree with BoureeMusique and Jeri_Dee. Where's your essay on why You are unique. I mean, we all know how unique you are, but we want to hear what you think.
And really, 30 chihuahuas in a room? How could you stand to be in the room long enough to observe any unique characteristics?
its hard to be unique because of the sheer mass of us. if you look at us closely, but not everyone take the time. I also feel it heavily depends on perspective too. I think teaching children, american children that "you are special and no one is just like you" has damaged society as a whole. Damn Mr. Rogers (i read this somewhere)...
we also need to understand empathy and this only comes from knowing that in many ways although we are unique, we are also the very same.
Beautiful post =] I love your writing style! :giggle: :sunny:
:heartbeat: :eprop: :wave:
RYC: Haha, I didn't see that at first. What I meant by that sentence was that Dan is an average sized MALE who is also of German descent. Looks like my Grammar failed again! Or maybe I meant him to be seen as Aryan?
One of the things that sometimes puts me down is the fact that my own uniqueness makes it much harder for me to find a significant other. I am always a friend but never a lover. The popular, rapper-like males that seem to predominate in my generation have the world at their feet, while I am alone. Yet in the end, I still stand tall, and will not yield to the vicissitudes of general society. I refuse to reduce myself to mediocrity just to be popular. So I value my uniqueness as a badge of honor, that no one will take away.
In happier news today: IT'S BIRTHDAY WEEK FOR ME! So go check out this week's update, which includes a rare 1950s Mercedes police car!
Just a thought for argument's sake, not something i believe, but if our uniqueness is our mind, might it not all be in our mind, too?
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