Conformists who critique the unique ways of eccentrics, such as their fashion choices or hobbies, are indeed the ones in the wrong. Yet, this fault is often overlooked by social groups and society at large. Bystanders unconsciously perceive the conformist as upholding societal norms, thereby not recognising their own complicity in enabling bullying behaviour. It’s common for humans to accept the teasing, ridicule, and ostracisation of individuals who deviate from the norm. I must emphasise that all of this occurs unconsciously in the mind of the conformist. If I were to recite this passage to a societal conformist, they would likely scoff at these very observable truths. This is because the human mind is often susceptible to the Ad Populum fallacy (appeal to popularity) and the Ad Verecundiam fallacy (appeal to authority – the authority being the pack leader). When a popular conformist mocks the nonconformist, it provides the followers of popularity with even more fallacious reassurance that the popular opinion is correct in their fickle, docile, meek, and socially naïve minds.
*This writing is featured in the book, Denial.
