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The article applies and probably makes some very good points if your goals include "persuade others to join my cause". There is a counterpoint to be made for b

The article applies and probably makes some very good points if your goals include "persuade others to join my cause". There is a counterpoint to be made for being the person you want to be regardless how seriously people take you.

veddox 7y ago
Yes, it has a lot to do with leadership. That‘s why new leaders who try to change everything at once so rarely succeed. They first need to build up credibility (a.k.a. idiosyncracy credit) by fitting in and conforming to group expectations, before the group trusts them enough to allow them to change individual aspects of said expectations.
rlonn 7y ago
I think you underestimate the effects of observed weirdness on the psyche. I believe most people react to weirdness with caution and suspicion, and sometimes they get intimidated. I believe that being weird makes it harder to connect with people in general, and that is a problem unless you're totally uninterested in socializing with other people.
- intrepidhero 7y ago
  You're not wrong but that's an incomplete model. Weirdness can open doors to connections people might not have been comfortable with otherwise. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson I guess my own weirdness is reacting strongly to the conformist message in this thread. Know who you are and be comfortable as that person. Using camouflage, or just keeping your opinions to yourself, are useful skills for getting along with others. But there is also great value in being true to yourself.
- Nasrudith 7y ago
  A masquerade doesn't help with connecting with people though even if it makes interactions easier. If "you" aren't out there then you can't really connect. Even putting aside the Uncanny Valley aspects of them realizing on some level that you are holding back or faking. Although inappropriateness can make it worse by scaring people off. Like say persistently introducing yourself by describing what underwear you are wearing in detail.

veddox 7y ago

Yes, it has a lot to do with leadership. That‘s why new leaders who try to change everything at once so rarely succeed. They first need to build up credibility (a.k.a. idiosyncracy credit) by fitting in and conforming to group expectations, before the group trusts them enough to allow them to change individual aspects of said expectations.

rlonn 7y ago

I think you underestimate the effects of observed weirdness on the psyche. I believe most people react to weirdness with caution and suspicion, and sometimes they get intimidated. I believe that being weird makes it harder to connect with people in general, and that is a problem unless you're totally uninterested in socializing with other people.

intrepidhero 7y ago
You're not wrong but that's an incomplete model. Weirdness can open doors to connections people might not have been comfortable with otherwise. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Henson I guess my own weirdness is reacting strongly to the conformist message in this thread. Know who you are and be comfortable as that person. Using camouflage, or just keeping your opinions to yourself, are useful skills for getting along with others. But there is also great value in being true to yourself.
Nasrudith 7y ago
A masquerade doesn't help with connecting with people though even if it makes interactions easier. If "you" aren't out there then you can't really connect. Even putting aside the Uncanny Valley aspects of them realizing on some level that you are holding back or faking. Although inappropriateness can make it worse by scaring people off. Like say persistently introducing yourself by describing what underwear you are wearing in detail.