Emerson and Individualism Essays

Emerson and Individualism Essays Emerson and Individualism Paper Emerson and Individualism Paper Essay Topic: College application Why do some humans succumb to peer pressure and so desperately want to be a part of the popular crowd? Clearly, those who apply such behavior to their daily lives lose their sense of self-being and mold to the ideas, behaviors, and opinions of the masses. Although some people still conform, a large movement towards the individual has begun to make an appearance. The successful beings of our society appear to think for themselves as well as participate in their own beliefs.This attribute of our modern society today reflects the philosophy of Emerson: individualism. We decide our own fate based on our individual actions and decisions. By not conforming to the ideas of others, each person can reach their fullest potential happiness and contribute to society at a higher level. At one point in my high school career, I did anything and everything to fit in with the â€Å"popular† girls of my class. Every day, I worried that they would not like my outfit or that I would say something stupid.I constantly felt as if I were walking in a room full of broken glass, trying to avoid sharp shards with every step I took. It was not until this year that I realized what a folly I had participated in these last two years when a group of girls at my lunch table said nasty things about one of their friends when she left the table. At this point on, I decided I would find new friends. I didn’t choose friends in any particular formed group, only those who I enjoyed spending time around.This action granted me the power to be an individual. I fear no judgment of my beliefs nor my opinions and when I participate in any event, gossip, or beliefs, they are on my own accord, not to impress anyone, but to fulfill my happiness of which I can only fulfill by being myself, an individual. Another place to be an individual today is in one’s college applications. Upon visiting Princeton and several other schools of highly sought after education, I came home with the knowledge that the admission offices at hese schools want to see a personality of each individual and see this personality reflected in one’s activity choices throughout one’s high school career. When applying to a highly ranked school, it is necessary in today’s day and age to incorporate individualism into one’s life so one can stand out in their applications and have success in admittance so one can pursue the lifestyle of one’s beliefs and hopes and use the education received to contribute what one is capable of to society.Lastly, the interests and choice of daily actions of one’s life creates an individual. In centuries past, one who found interest and had knowledge on topics unknown to all were shunned. Today, people seek out uncommon hobbies and interests to lead a more interesting life than their friends, their coworkers, or next-door neighbors. Some choose to skydive while others dive into a world of romantic historic foreign films. I myself find a great interest in the cultural histories of other nations as well as a love for unusual foods such as sushi, liver pate, and escargot.Each person who can call one’s self an individual today has interests and participates in activities that define who he or she is. Emerson’s philosophy that focused upon the individual is present in our modern world. Many people have come to adopt this philosophy and apply it to their lifestyles. No longer does the common opinion influence and affect a majority of the masses. Will the increase in the use of technology lead to the loss of individualism in the future years to come?