Always remember, you are unique

Undertoad · 09-14-2011, 06:10 PM

When I was in elementary school this was one of the important things they taught us, a sacred notion.

I never had any problem with the concept. As an only child without a father from age 3, I was already convinced that I was entirely unique and very special. Whether this has been an advantage, I can't say.

You are unique, but what does it matter? You are also highly identical to all other humans, and the case can be easily made that you're much more identical than you are unique. Our brains are trained to see the differences in each of us, but that's only because it needs us to compete and to mate. Below the surface we are biologically built from the same cloth. We have the same number of chromosomes and our DNA instructs our bodies to produce the same organs.

In some ways, our society would be improved if we understood what we all share, as opposed to always finding the unique in us. We are us; what it means to be human is just the biology.

Aliantha · 09-14-2011, 06:20 PM

You're starting to sound like a communist UT. lol

Griff · 09-14-2011, 06:21 PM

Yeah well, what about IP addresses?

DanaC · 09-14-2011, 07:42 PM

I remember my first assembly at secondary school (11 years old). The headmaster did this whole spiel about being links in a chain. We're all links in a chainlink fence.

Yeah. Fuckin bricks in the wall right ? :p

jimhelm · 09-14-2011, 07:45 PM

46&2 just ahead of me...

ZenGum · 09-14-2011, 08:23 PM

You've got to work it out for yourselves!

YES. WE HAVE TO WORK IT OUT FOR OURSELVES.

You're all different!

YES. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT.
I'm not!
Yes you are, didn't you hear?

SamIam · 09-14-2011, 09:17 PM

We are all unique, but some of us are more unique than others.

sexobon · 09-15-2011, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

... You are unique, but what does it matter? ... We are us; what it means to be human is just the biology.

If that were true then there would be no difference between being nonhuman and being inhuman. Greater recognition of some commonalities could be beneficial as in United we stand, divided we fall; however, our conflicts with each other are no longer over real (i.e. biological) needs as much as over perceived (e.g. ideological, theological) needs. That's led to political and religious pandering, even extremists trying to force other aspects of "what we all share" like the desire for everyone else to be more like us. It's the uniqueness in each of us that enables a minority; or, even an individual of vision to secure the social good for future generations and that matters a great deal. I get the gist of what you're saying and I agree:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

... In some ways, our society would be improved if we understood what we all share, as opposed to always finding the unique in us. ...

I've just not seen the concept so poorly augmented before.

grynch · 09-15-2011, 03:34 AM

infinite monkey · 09-15-2011, 07:27 AM

How do you catch a unique rabbit?

Unique up on it.

Sundae · 09-15-2011, 08:15 AM

Snort

Gravdigr · 09-15-2011, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by infinite monkey

How do you catch a unique rabbit?

Unique up on it.

How do ya catch a tame rabbit?

Tame way.

Gravdigr · 09-15-2011, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Undertoad

Below the surface we are biologically built from the same cloth.

But, I look gooood in my genes.

Do they make my butt look big?

BigV · 09-15-2011, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gravdigr

How do ya catch a tame rabbit?

Tame way.

I thought you hid in the bushes and made a sound like a carrot.... this explains a lot.

TheMercenary · 09-15-2011, 05:16 PM

And everyone should get a trophy for coming in last place! Yea!

09-14-2011, 06:10 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Always remember, you are unique When I was in elementary school this was one of the important things they taught us, a sacred notion. I never had any problem with the concept. As an only child without a father from age 3, I was already convinced that I was entirely unique and very special. Whether this has been an advantage, I can't say. You are unique, but what does it matter? You are also highly identical to all other humans, and the case can be easily made that you're much more identical than you are unique. Our brains are trained to see the differences in each of us, but that's only because it needs us to compete and to mate. Below the surface we are biologically built from the same cloth. We have the same number of chromosomes and our DNA instructs our bodies to produce the same organs. In some ways, our society would be improved if we understood what we all share, as opposed to always finding the unique in us. We are us; what it means to be human is just the biology.

09-14-2011, 06:20 PM	#2
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	You're starting to sound like a communist UT. lol __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

09-14-2011, 06:21 PM	#3
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	Yeah well, what about IP addresses? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

09-14-2011, 07:45 PM	#5
jimhelm a beautiful fool Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: 39.939705 Posts: 4,504	46&2 just ahead of me... __________________ There's a Shadow just behind me. Shrouding every step I take. Making every promise empty, pointing every finger at me. _tool

09-14-2011, 08:23 PM	#6
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	You've got to work it out for yourselves! YES. WE HAVE TO WORK IT OUT FOR OURSELVES. You're all different! YES. WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT. I'm not! Yes you are, didn't you hear? __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

09-14-2011, 09:17 PM	#7
SamIam Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Not here Posts: 2,655	We are all unique, but some of us are more unique than others.

09-15-2011, 03:34 AM	#9
grynch the big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Switzerland Posts: 390

09-15-2011, 07:27 AM	#10
infinite monkey Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 13,002	How do you catch a unique rabbit? Unique up on it.

09-15-2011, 08:15 AM	#11
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Snort __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

09-15-2011, 05:16 PM	#15
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	And everyone should get a trophy for coming in last place! Yea! __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)