Manifesto

What is a culture of one? Well, I once thought it was my idea, but apparently I didn't invent the terminology. An Internet search will bring up many examples of people already using it. However, be assured that my concept is not the same as all the others, and it is here we will explore together what it means to be a culture of one.

Here's something to start you off:

A "culture of one" may appear to be an oxymoron only because the conventional understanding of culture is that it takes many people all doing the same thing to create a culture. Hence, the conventional understanding of culture exclusively translates into the "culture of many." The assumption is, in order to have a "culture," people need other people to agree on specific rituals or beliefs that must dominate, and this requires conformity. The term "countercultural" seems to describe something supposedly at odds with convention, as if in the wrong direction. Thus, there are people who are quick to negatively interpret any specific countercultural behavior as a threat to their way of life and world view--even if only a perceived threat. Countercultural begins to mean "amoral" to the conformists. It persists that to act differently compared to others makes one's behavior conspicuous and the subject of harsh judgment by others who form a consensus regarding how I should behave. However, depending on the situation it is not necessarily wrong to be unconventional, nor is unconventionality the same as anarchy.

I know what you're probably thinking: Sounds like good old American individualism, right? To some extent, being a culture of one is a form of self reliance. However, I am not simply repackaging American individualism, which is somewhat of a myth to begin with, anyway. Individualism in America has taken the form of being able to speak your mind directly with others, defining oneself according to personal goals and personal values, putting your individual needs and desires above the larger group, not needing to rely on others for your own survival, going out into the world to become someone, etc. Today, American individualism has turned into the dream (or nightmare depending on how you look at it) of great things supposedly waiting for the person who can be self-motivating to work overtime and be the overachiever. However, cultural values still exist such as the importance of being a "team player." The great paradox of American individualism is that while you're told to become some unique individual, at the same time you're supposed to fit in with everyone else. Regardless of the contradictions, to whatever extent these values have influenced my development as a person, I am not simply talking about American individualism. A culture of one may be a form of self reliance, but unlike American individualism it's not just what you can do that is important. A culture of one is not just about thinking for yourself; it's about critical thinking (not to be confused with being an empiricist or scientist). Above all, it is not about simply being selfish and self-centered, but it is about your own consciousness and place as an individual in society. It is about a way of being in the world in which one recognizes what we call "individualism" is merely a conventional label for a way of life, and often quite meaningless.

More to come...

(Image above is a digital photograph by the author.)