Why would you want to be a social deviant? Step one is define it.
So, in your mind’s eye you’re churning the cogs, firing sparks of all the social deviants you think you’ve known. Don’t think of the obvious dude in Pantera t-shirts or the guy trying to convince you that the world will become catabolic if Uranus is in alignment with the earth on the day that Micheal Jackson’s comeback cd arrives on the shelves (although I would listen to that argument).
People that are outwardly tangent to socially accepted norms are thought to be irritating, hard work, or just plain losers by the general population. That’s because they usually are. Like any kind of self developed identity, that’s exactly what it is. Interesting looms in me if I’m different. They are making their mark – social deviance becomes a brand like everything else.
These punks give it a bad name. A simple subversion of norms for attention or punctuating your existence with an abrasive X is just plain irritating. Get out the tar and feathers.
So, now that I’ve (probably unsuccessfully) tried to lay down what social deviance is not all about, what do I think its about? And why do I think its valuable?
de·vi·ant (dv-nt)
adj. Differing from a norm or from the accepted standards of a society.
Normality is a good thing. Its a part of the very human need for stability, safely, and predictability. Social rules and norms are in many ways a product of that need. But sit too tightly in that world, and it will make you numb, and decisions will be made for you without you realizing it.
The truly admirable and successful people in my eyes are the ones who have managed to think and live outside of the the predefined social blueprint, but have still known that they exist in that world. Still been aware.
I’m not a social deviant, but if I was one, I would say the art doing it successfully is to never admit that you are one.
Quality writing there. I’m curious, what triggered the inspiration behind this post?
Hey dude. Thanks for the comment. I suppose the inspiration is a shout out for creative, bright people to not let their brilliance sabotage their reality. To not be unintelligently intelligent.
And there could be a subliminal code in this post. It could be “Tangas Rock”. I just wanted an excuse to get that out there.
Hehe, I knew there had to be something behind it :)
I think your piece is really well written and astute. I totally agree with you about the attention seeking wannabe freaks, tar and feathers are too good for them. They are ‘the hollow men’ who, driven by the twin horrors of vanity and insecurity, think its cool to indiscriminately piss on everything.
To rant on for a bit…
Again I agree – it’s not the silly Pantera brigade whom I feel true repugnance for either, however unmindful and ignorant their behaviour is. I feel it for those who could, who should, know better – the nihilistic artists, the deconstructive critics, and that new breed of inverted religious fanatics: the media junkies. They’ve seen it all, have become so satisfyingly jaded and aspire to nothing more than being snide posers and cynics.
Simply being openly contemptuous of everything and everyone does not make these people social deviants; being motivated purely by self interest does however make them ugly, destructive and dangerous.
Wow, got that out of my system!
To continue my response to your writing – I don’t agree the last bit: that there is “an art [to] doing it”… I think that, whether they like it or not, certain people are intrinsically outsiders: unable to join the party but also never getting invited to it.
It is the very nature of the social deviants you admire that makes them what they are. I don’t think it’s a quality that can be worn or discarded, or something that can be ‘done’ with, or without, art or style.
Instead, they have to deal with an awkward and frequently detrimental inability to play the social game. They are neither deceived by society’s gloss nor beguiled by it’s charm. They can’t make small talk, have few friends, less manners and no tact. Most disturbing of all: they have no desire to flatter and please.
My most admired writer, the Australian novelist and Nobel Laureate, Patrick White was such a person. Fortunately for him he had certain redeeming qualities: an incredible intellect, a razor sharp wit and a very, very good heart.
Thanks for that awesome comment Gabriel. I get your point that some people intrinsically can’t seem to play the social game. And true, a lot of these people are greatly admired by me for their personal strength to fly in the face of accepted norms to serve their own beat.
However, as much as social deviants are admired in history books (after they die), on a personal level – they put themselves through hell to serve their outlook.
The art that I speak of is to walk the line between being true to oneself, but at the same time learn to apply a social mask when necessary. To them, I would say – learn. Social etiquette and understanding norms are hardly rocket science. You will be happier.
You really don’t have to be outspoken all the time or always wear your views on your face and in your words. If anyone thinks that, its just their ego talking, or their need to feel heard.
The art – if you want to live happily in a society that instinctively lashes out at change, is to simply choose the right or critical moments and people to reveal your tangent ingenuity – a time when it’ll be received the best.
After all, a happy life is a successful life, no matter if no one knows your I.Q or what you achieved. I’m just saying, don’t make your life unnecessarily difficult. To choose your important battles.
I agree with you unreservedly. One needs to grow a thick skin to succeed, in all ways. If one does not, one remains a victim of oneself and the world.
The people I was refering to however are those who are so vulnerable they have no skin. They are the ones that are still locked up in loony bins, lobotomised or medicated forever.
Please get hold of, and read Patrick White’s “Riders in the Chariot”. It is the most moving book I have read, and which caused me to grow up in ways I never expected.
Ok rad. I’ll keep a look out for it.