Conform to my non-conformist ways!

Non-Conformists. We've all met them. And they all look the same. Isn't that ironic? You meet someone who tells you that they're going against the flow, bucking the mainstream. But in reality they're simply conforming to another stereotype or group.

A billboard caught my attention to this the other day. It asked, "If emos are non-conformist, why do they all dress the same?" It's a good point, and though, bafflingly, it was an ad for Sprite, it provides some food for thought. Let's think about the average non-conformist for a moment. What springs to mind? Dreadlocks, earthy-green looking clothes, a rather strong smell of something, thongs, and of course a battered-looking 1980's Datsun that probably spews out more pollution than a Toyota Landcruiser.

Therein lies the problem, by definition we should not be able to pidgeon-hole a non-conformist into a category. Yet, we can. Therefore it's safe to say that the advent of a true non-conformist is extremely rare indeed. A non-conformist wouldn't think in the same way a normal person does. They would, to make use of a tired cliché, think outside the square. The true non-conformist isn't someone who dresses differently, or looks down upon society, they're someone who tries to improve society, improve the human condition. They are Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Isaac Newton. People who change the world, rather than those who try to reject it.

So to those people who look down on others for "following the crowd" by listening to certain types of music or wearing certain types of clothing, take a look at yourself. Do you follow a crowd of your own? Do you ever think of improving the world rather than simply trying to dismiss it by calling them conformist sheep? I'd hazard a guess at saying you probably go for the latter more often than not. I say to you, you're a conformist too, you're simply conforming to another stream in society.

So, I say to you. Wear what you think looks good. Listen to what you think sounds good. Don't worry as to whether or not you're conforming to some sort of crowd. These are the superficial parts of society that, in the grand scheme of things, don't matter. It's your mind that you need to keep open, keep unique. It's your mind that could change the world, not your clothes.

Nothing to see here...

I originally posted this on Myspace blogs, which is rubbish, so I'm reposting it here:

Have you ever written something about nothing? It's a very powerful idea to write about nothing, as it can lead to something, even if it just means you better your writing skills. But can we really write about nothing?

What is the definition of nothing?

Nothing is.... nothing, it's not there, it's an empty space... Aha! But that's something! If you can describe nothing then it really must be something, because how can you possibly describe nothing, it's nothing! Therefore, it's safe to say that my previous statement is not entirely correct, writing about nothing doesn't just lead to an improved grasp of the english language, it leads to something! Because nothing is something!

What are you doing?

Nothing.

Impossible, even if by nothing you mean sitting on the couch staring at a wall, that could be described, therefore it's something! Why one would sit on a couch and stare at a wall is another issue altogether, perhaps you're thinking about something?

Have you ever tried to think about nothing? Impossible you say? Some people claim to have achieved it, they called it 'hypnotising' themselves. It's sort of a state of deep relaxation where the mind focuses on nothing. I tried it and concluded that it's bullshit. I also concluded that the internet must not be trusted. Then again, perhaps I wasn't trying hard enough. It's just that trying to focus on nothing, always leads me to thinking about something, often entirely irrelevant to the topic at hand, which is, well, nothing.

So, is nothing an oxymoron? Since when you describe something as nothing it really doesn't mean that at all, it's something!

That's all the philosophy I've got time for tonight.

In other news:

Tonight's episode of Good News Week proved that Crocodile Hunter jokes are still taboo, give it another decade or so.

Petrol prices are reaching new heights, it is now close to half the price (per litre) of Mt Franklin natural spring water (if you buy it on sale (from a dodgy discount grocery store (in Dubbo))).

Parenthesis is back in fashion (bitches).

Hi-Top sneakers are still not cool, in spite of the 80's resurgence (you look REDICULOUS)

How much your new jacket cost will rarely impress your mates, or your girlfriend, especially when I find the same jacket for 50 bucks less at DFO. And I buy it. And wear it. To spite you.

The Sunday Herald Sun still sucks, and it's $1.80. And people only buy it for the TV guide. Which is crap anyway. Green guide people!