Contrary to popular belief

I recognize the signs of being contrary just to be contrary. I was once that way. My way was the only way. I'd disagree with everyone just because I didn't want to be like everyone else. Never wanted to be a sheep in a herd of sheep. Never. One day, I realized what I was doing and decided that I would do what I felt was right period. It didn't matter if that also happened to be what everyone else was doing.

My mother asked me once (a day) if everyone else was jumping off the bridge, would I do it too. My answer everyday was 'depends why they are jumping'. See, it's not about the act itself, it's the reason behind the act.

I love watching people push elevator buttons repeatedly when it doesn't do any good. Just like most elevators Close Door button is not active. It's just there to give people something to do. The same applies to soda vending machines. People stand there and push the button over and over until their soda is finally released from it's chilly prison into their hot little hands. Once is usually suffiencient unless you lack physical strength or you were unsure of yourself when you pushed the button.

I saw a video in 6th grade that impacted me greatly. It was about the psychology of peer pressure and in focus groups, people may have a completely different opinion, but follow the group anyway to keep from being different. Why do so many people have a need to be like everyone else? This has always confused me. Average. Why would you want to fit into the masses so perfectly that you lose your own identity?