Genesis 1: The Beginning

"So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them."

This passage here is almost written in a ritualistic chant as it repeats over of what God has done and the good he has created. This language has an almost omnipotence to it as it confidently tells us what happens and doesn't even question, doesn't even doubt the "facts." This universality the Genesis holds within its matter-of-fact tone of confidence is so powerful. It takes hold of the reader and lets the reader have full faith and trust in its texts. On the contrary, Darwin states his facts but adds with it his doubts and his awareness and understanding within his readers doubts and questions. This uncertainty within Darwin's words gives the reader the ability to contemplate and decide for him or herself the facts. Unlike Genesis, which confidently gives us these "truths" in almost a commanding tone and holds that we must trust these words and if we were to doubt them- we would be foolish. This confidence is so powerful it takes hold of the reader and almost intimidates the reader to do otherwise then follow the commands.

Charles Darwin

Darwin was so brilliant and curious for his time!

"There is grandeur in this view of life, with its several powers, having been originally breathed into a few forms or into one; and that, whilst this planet has gone cycling on according to the fixed law of gravity, from so simple a beginning endless forms most beautiful and most wonderful have been, and are being, evolved." Here, this passage has so brilliantly summed up Darwin's curiousites and his theories. In this sentence he is describing the vast complexity of such an "entangled bank." There are physical laws that govern each of us, and although humans are so independent from worms and worms so independent from fish- we are still all so dependent on each other within very complex laws and intelligent designs. I believe we all share this deep void that Darwin is describing here. We are conscious creatures, and so, we are conscious of the complexities within life and the so brilliant and beautiful designs of the universe. We each share this complete awe at what is around us and how deeply it is interconnected- some may fill this void with god, with science, and some will forever have this unfillable void. But, no matter what, one cannot deny that this void and this unconcievable "entangled bank" still lies.

P2 of Conformity Essay

While conformity is often seen negatively in western culture, Sigmund Freud and Charles Darwin give light to the positivity of conforming through theories of a uniform society and a biologically deep rooted need to 'imitate' our peers. In Civilization and its Discontents, Sigmund Freud maintains that an ideal "culture demands sacrifices" one being conformity. In a world where man preys upon man, a civil society at large needs to develop in order for human beings to remain. And, it is with conformity that we can build a secure foundation for progress within a powerful community. Indeed, if everyone were to pursue different interests without the entire whole in mind, conflict would arise and bonds would be broken. It is through deep and interwined conformity that we can "levy energy" and exist so well together. Now, in Darwin's Origin of Species we are shown how advantageous it is to follow, imitate, and reflect our peers. Beyond the social benefits, we are biologically predispoced to mirror others in efforts of simply learning the environment, society at large, and ourselfs in relation to others. We are social beings, and socializing is at the very core of our beings. No species can survive on their own, indeed; we need each other and not only to survive but also to be happy. And although conformity may demand some sacrifices of being an individual, the overall benefits completely outway individualism. Personally, i think many people overlook these benefits because they are at the basic of our survival and daily living- the importance of conformity has lost its content when we have no capacity for gratitude in a such standard society. Yet, the pangs of all would soon be seen if suffering and calamity were to take place. When ever there is a disaster, do you see people spreading apart and wanting to be an "individual"? No. People come together and conform to reestablish the powerful bonds of community and well-being. But, with many of my peers living in a cosy western society the ability to gain a different perspective is hard to almost impossible. Life without conformity would be unendurable and frusterations would reach to a point of no return.

Introduction P1

Since the beginning of time, species have conformed and habituated with one another in a plight to survive and reproduce. It is through consciousness, human beings have trouble finding a balance for conformity and individualism. Yet, no one can deny the evidence that conformity is essential for any species- conscious or unconscious. Conformity is fundamental in order to form a civil and stable society and a civil and stable species. Indeed, through the literature of Sigmund Freud in Civilization and its Discontents, Charles Darwin in Origin of Species, a local survey, and a personal interview, the data about conformity will show that conforming is not only natural but normal. Conformity goes beyond "copying", it is cooperating and systematic. We are social beings and must coliberate with one another for a society to properly process. Humanity grows when we work together, survive together, and adapt together. For the sake of stability and necessity, habituation and conformity are vital and without such a structure both mankind and its modern civilization would sucumb to an unescapable downfall.

Interview time!

So i did my interview with Mimi and it really helped shape my point and also gave me a lot of great insights and points to include as well! I'm hoping to soon upload my interview to my weebly but that's proving not to work, at the moment. I tried to really open up my interview because even though i have a narrow topic- i thought it would be good to see where she could take it and how she really viewed her transformation. As we got more into her story i then began specific questions about the normalicy of conformity and not only did she agree but she gave me specific examples of why she conformed and the consequences not conforming would bring. Now, I was only taking my essay in the direction of biology but Mimi opened it up more towards a philosophical and moral side. She pointed out that conforming, interestingly enough, made her her own person; that if you don't conform and try other cultures and put yourself into the environment - you're not going to grow as a person and develop. Moreover, she spoke about a constant battle between traditions in the household but then a liberal influence outside the household. As she grew up, she found a peace and a balance but it was not without struggle and Mimi concluded that she could of stayed the way she was and not conform and not deal with the struggle - but then she wouldn't be who she was today. The struggle made her a better person and conformity shaped her- for the better.

Theory

Conformity translates to "the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to what individuals perceive as normal to their society or social group." Why would animals want matching attitudes, beliefs and behaviors? Well, according to Freud civilization is an essential component to survival- and civilization curves a structure and model for attitudes, beliefs and behaviors. This is so, because a higher moral structure helps guide those belonging to that society and culture. It is not only normal to associate with matching behaviors for a civil structure but also natural. In each of our animalistic brains, we have what is called "mirror neurons", these mirror neurons are hardwired into our brain since the beginning of evolution and are for the direct purpose to mirror actions and thoughts and to empathize, but i wont digress with the latter. 
It is in our DNA, our foundation, and in our best interest to conform. For example, conformity is an amazing teacher- if i see someone fishing and they're catching all the fish, as i sit fish-less, it is in my best interest to mirror this man's actions and conform to his fishing techniques.  
As our population grows more and more and conformity becomes increasingly suffocating- culture beings to see conformity negatively and wants to break out. But, we cannot deny the social and natural benefits of this normal condition. And although in certain circumstances conforming may interfere with positive aspects of life- the importance of conformity is unrelenting. 

The nature of a normal condition

It was Darwin in the Origin of Species and Freud in Civilization and its Discontents that gave rise to the animality of the human condition.
It was Camus in The Stranger that brilliantly investigated the strangeness it is to be anything at all and the absurd struggles to exist in existence. In my essay i will be discussing the theory of the normality of conformity. Many people oppose conformity and label it with a negative connotation. I will be trying to show it in a different light- the normality of it and the positivity of it too. Whether it is immigrating or creating a society or understanding behavior- conformity is a powerful tool and being able to mirror others is an essential part of humanity. However The Stranger is important in showing how conformity can become suffocating sometimes- yet overall he understands its importance. The simplicity of the world elopes the main narrator in normality and he is fine with that and what he is- whatever that may be.