A while ago, I wrote about the people with a seemingly pathological desire to be different. I noted how silly it seemed to try to make every last aspect of your life unique and unusual. Yet on the opposite end of the spectrum, things aren't that great either. The world is full of people who want nothing more than "to fit in". They are willing to mold themselves to every standard that might be imposed on them so they can feel "normal". In short, they are willing to sacrifice their own individuality to be part of the crowd. It is an odd thing that makes people want to be like each other. It is most often not even driven by a conscious thought, but a basic instinct to blend in and not stand out. The herd instinct, that instinct which makes followers rather than leaders, much like sheep, is strong in humans. In a sense, it is there for a good reason: It helps prevent crackpots from developing out of society, people who would disturb the delicate fabric of the system, such as operators of llama prostitution rings. In a perfect world, or even a good world, the human herd instinct might be a good thing. But in our world, the human herd instinst is a terrible thing. In a world where moist people have fallen to greed, laziness, jealousy, and the like, what must a person be to be a good person? In one word: Different. We must be different if we are not to be like the people who are tearing the world apart. That isn't to say that we should try to be as different from other people as possible; Difference is not its own end. In fact, I'm rather inclined to believe that when reasonable, people should try to find common ground between each other. It tends to promote mutual understanding. But when the time is right, don't be afraid to stand out, and if necessary, to stand alone. It is a vulnerable position, which is why it's so scary. But it is better than merging with the flow by doing the wrong thing.