UPinion: We Have Lost Individuality as a Society

By Sophia Masi

Our opinions, personal style, habits and the way we go about life make us who we are. Our thoughts as individuals keep us unique and create a sense of self that is different from the person next to us. Our society brings us together and lets us share thoughts and opinions, but where’s the line between our society and ourselves? I think that line has blurred far too much recently. 

This is not to say that we shouldn’t lean into trends or have shared opinions or thoughts, and it’s not to say that I don’t follow trends—I wore mini shorts out last week and watched “Love Island” all summer. However, it has come to a point where every time I go on social media, I see people doing and wearing the same things. I walk around campus and see 90% of the girls wearing sweatshirts with the "Parke" last name on them. 

Sophisticated / @excessivegyal on Pinterest

For example, about a month ago, a trend started circulating on TikTok where people were replicating a supposed video of Hailey Bieber wearing a face mask while eating sushi. I just wonder, “Why see someone doing something and replicate the entire thing just to make a video?” This happened a couple of years ago with people claiming the “Sofia Richie dance," and in the last year with people doing the “Parke” hair clip style, which was just a claw clip on the crown of the head. Instead, I think we should be creating our own traditions and content. Isn’t that the beautiful thing about social media? Getting to see everyone’s different lives and personalities? Getting to share your own? 

I much too often come across videos of people using “we” where it shouldn’t really be, in my opinion. For example, “Redhead girls, what are we being for Halloween this year?”, “Okay, y’all, what are we putting on our Christmas lists this year?”, “Alright, everyone, what do we think of this new album?”. It is completely stripping us of our abilities to think on our own. So many of the questions asked are personal when they should be individualized. Be whatever you want for Halloween! A character from your favorite movie, something scary! Literally anything goes. And for Christmas, your list is supposed to be full of things YOU want! Things that would make you happy because they contribute to your hobbies or fit your personality. Having your own thoughts about mainstream media is okay! Just because everyone else hates something does not mean you cannot like it. It’s okay to differ in opinions. 

Recently, I have noticed how much people use ChatGPT and other large language model AI systems for small things like homework assignments, and even for creative assignments. I heard a girl in one of my creative classes say, “I haven’t had an original thought in years.” This is not to say artificial intelligence doesn’t have positives, but that is not what this article is about. AI has started to strip people of not only their ability to think for themselves, but also of their creativity. Being creative and being original doesn’t mean you always have to have new ideas sprouting—that's not how creativity works for some people; it can be a process. Letting that process be, and allowing your mind to be stuck is okay… epiphanies and breakthroughs will always come. Challenging your mind and creating original ideas is what helps you grow.

I guess what I am trying to say is that usually the best version of you is the most authentic version of you. If that means trying new styles, going out of your comfort zone and doing things that are not so mainstream to find that authenticity, that's okay. That’s natural! Being the same as everyone else is so boring. Do you actually want that $150 sweatshirt that will be out of style in three months just because everyone else is wearing it? You don’t have to do exactly what celebrities do or wear what you feel is acceptable at the school you go to.

Have fun and do things you like and want to do. If things end up being embarrassing, so what? No one cares. It’s better to try and fail than to never try at all and just blend in with everyone else. Blending in never got anyone anywhere. Mainstream does not mean something is too basic or that it’s bad, but it also doesn’t have to be the only form of media in your life. Find your sense of self! It’s hard to do, but it is what makes the world so diverse. 

There is nothing wrong with being basic and mainstream sometimes, but having originality and individuality is vital in this life!