The Individualist - Going, Going, Gone?

The chance to be an individualist in America seems to be fading under the mass of collectivist thought and actions.

From The Autonomist:

A philosophy of objective reason, individualism, freedom, and personal integrity cannot be spread by the methods used to spread socialism, collectivism, multi-culturalism, or even environmentalism. The reason is simple. An objective individualistic philosophy appeals first, and primarily, to the intellect. The socialist and collectivist ideologies (they are not philosophies) appeal first, and primarily, to the feelings and emotions.

This is not a new observation, but it has a new and growing relevance to be sure.

When was the last time we saw a genuinely original idea come to the fore, in almost any sphere? Creativity seems relegated to the dustbin of history. Even the world of art is largely a rehash of what went before. I haven't done any formal study, but even radio seems to consist mostly of oldies stations.

Somewhere along the line folks became more interested in belonging than being.

It's a puzzle for me, and yet it's clear. Einstein is credited with saying Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Ideas that revolve around individuality are passe, and collective attempts to remake humanity into something it isn't keeps popping up like a weed in a flower bed.