Thread: Do you stand out substantially from society?

No, I do not.

Originally Posted by spockman

Dunning

I haven't heard of this before, but that's essentially the idea: the incompetent make themselves out to be far more than what they are.

Originally Posted by Awakening

"Barking dogs don't bite"

While we're on the topic of size, and since our analogy is appropriate, you should consider familiarizing yourself with inferiority complexes. In this case, the Napoleon complex. Being smaller (and this does not apply strictly to physical size) in a heirarchical species means having more to prove, unless the individual in question is comfortable with who they are.

The small, shrill, barking dogs don't bite because they are afraid. They bark to make themselves sound big, and run when you approach them. Obviously there are small dogs that have been raised in a social environment to be easygoing and accepting of other people/animals they encounter. Those dogs seldom bark.

Originally Posted by Invader

While we're on the topic of size, and since our analogy is appropriate, you should consider familiarizing yourself with inferiority complexes. In this case, the Napoleon complex. Being smaller (and this does not apply strictly to physical size) in a heirarchical species means having more to prove, unless the individual in question is comfortable with who they are.

The small, shrill, barking dogs don't bite because they are afraid. They bark to make themselves sound big, and run when you approach them. Obviously there are small dogs that have been raised in a social environment to be easygoing and accepting of other people/animals they encounter. Those dogs seldom bark.

Sorry I misunderstood you. I thought that you was talking that those apparently insecure (the shy, etc people) are the most barking ones. But this subject is a little more complex, I know a very high-in-stature teacher (for my country standards) that needed "pressure" self-stem of some of his students a little, to say in that way...

Meh...I'd just chalk it up to being young, not an inferiority complex. I just don't like the part where that mindset leads to the conclusion that you're somehow better than the rest of "society" (ZOMG THE SHEEP JUST FOLLOWING THE MASSES PREPACKAGED MUSIC BIEBER AND NEVER THINK FOR DEMSELVES!!!). Little kids need that kind of "you are a special snowflake" encouragement, but at some point you have to realize there have been billions of people before you and there will be billions after you, and no, you are not special.

That said, we can all just stop taking ourselves so seriously and have a good time with each other while we're still lucky enough to be drawing breath.

I've met God across his long walnut desk with his diplomas hanging on the wall behind him, and God asks me, "Why?" Why did I cause so much pain? Didn't I realize that each of us is a sacred, unique snowflake of special unique specialness? Can't I see how we're all manifestations of love? I look at God behind his desk, taking notes on a pad, but God's got this all wrong. We are not special. We are not crap or trash, either. We just are. We just are, and what happens just happens. And God says, "No, that's not right." Yeah. Well. Whatever. You can't teach God anything.~ Chuck Palahniuk

...and we even share a name. I do hope you come back, mrwhite. A gathering of dreamers like this is as good a place as any to find more like us.

There are a few differences for me though; I've come to not worry so much about being unappreciated, and one of the consequences has been that my path to success has become much easier.

Yes, but only by night. By day, I am a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper.

Originally Posted by Scatterbrain

Yes, but only by night. By day, I am a mild-mannered reporter for a major metropolitan newspaper.

Shame on you for half-assing your ideals, then.