Non-Conforming Conformists

[Brandon]

With the advent of weblogs and my repeated exposure to poorly written poetry, I’ve become increasingly aware of a new type of high school elitism. It’s hard to spot, but it’s there…a new form of snobbery that disguises itself as anything but.

Poseurs and phonies abound on all points of the popularity spectrum, exercising a lock-step conformity to whatever stereotype they’ve chosen as their “personality.” While the more traditional poseurs attempt to mold themselves into the squeaky-clean image of teenage “prep,” the “non-conformists” do something very similar in principle, but different in the details. In the drive to become non-conformist, these young people have actually conformed!

For example, an unpopular boy decides to make himself as different as possible from those who rejected him. He heads out to Hot Topic one fine day and purchases a spiffy new “punk” wardrobe, complete with camouflage pants, studded leather, and combat boots. He begins listening exclusively to “punk” bands, eschewing any type of opposing music (i.e. rap), not even taking into consideration whether or not he truly hates it. Now take a step back, examine the evidence, and tell me this new persona is a true reflection of non-conformist individuality.

These “non-conforming conformists” are a diverse bunch including “Goths,” “tortured artists,” and “straight-edgers.” They consider themselves brooding, mysterious, intelligent, and deep. In reality, their personas are actually based on a superficial mirroring of other “non-conformists.” It’s no different than what occurs with the shallow twits in the prep/mainstream crowd.

So, with all due respect, my lovely young non-conformists, spare me any more of your condescending rhetoric about how everyone but you is “shallow” and how “no one understands you.” Believe me, I have you completely figured out.