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I think you might be mixing individuality with individualism. Individualism is basically putting your interests ahead of others. Individuality is being yourself, but you don't have to hurt others or violate the rights of others to be an individual.

While wearing a ruby necklace might not be the best thing when so many people are losing their jobs, it's an item of emotional and not monetary value. Perhaps you could let him know that it would mean more to you to have that money go to helping others.

But all in all we live in a capitalist world and here we are, using expensive computers and most if not all of us living as capitalists. There's little to be done--but perhaps you can take a stand with what you have in these hard times and give the necklace to a struggling, under-appreciated mother. Or keep it. Or wear it while you do a Food for Bombs or something. In the end all that matters is your effect, and you have to judge for yourself.

I myself have bits of jewelry but they're all rather cheap or found things, but no less pretty--just mismatched.

You should ask yourself, I think, though, should something like that mean so much to you? and is it's value material or emotional? If it's a material love then perhaps the best thing to do is give it away and help sever the tie we all have to greed.

we seek to make everyone equal Economically not socially, Communism does not seek to deprive men and women of their individuality, no, on the contrary, it seeks to raise man to the highest level of self, a quote from Trotsky's work Family Relations Under the Soviets "The road leads not to the robot but to man of a higher order."

Really Comrades familiarize with this website, its boat-loads of information.
http://www.marxists.org/index.htm

Individuality refers to one's individual lifestyle, opinions, and the freedom o express themselves as they please. There are two forms of individualism; economic individualism (capitalism) and what I refer to as true individualism (social or intellectual individualism). Eliminating individuality would have to be done by forcing people to adopt certain ways of thinking and certain ambitions, and would cause unrest and decrease utility in the utilitarian sense of the word.
There can be individualism in social structures in which the means of production are under control of the state or are cooperatively owned.



Agreed. Social statuses should remain, individuals should have enhanced freedom and thus be allowed to be truly individualistic in a society in which they are free from the constraints of capitalism (living under threat of debt, being coerced by the market to subjugate their interests to work for others in order to survive etc). Being a socialist, I would advocate equal opportunities with minimal equality of condition, whereas a communist would be more inclined to favor equality of condition / outcome.

I should actually make a post on here about collectivism and individualism, and how the term individualism was stolen by the capitalists / liberals ...

Things like "Equality means no individualism or individuality" and Socialism is bad because they want everyone to be the same.

Well, first of all, it's our western worlds view on it.

Secondly. How can a system we already live in say something like that.
Capitalists want nothing else but people wearing the same T-shirts with the same brand and to think the same.
If you try to be unique and not to dress as others, it only ends up getting the secret police stalking you around.
So ******** their arguments at that point.


If someone breaks the flow of "SLEEP-EAT-CONSUME" that the capitalists have imposed, you're the main target in their archives.
Sounds wierd that I'm saying it, because marxism and socialism are focusing on the workers and work, but just keep in mind that these ideologies were created because of capitalism.


...
sorry for going off topic for a bit.


Anyways.
I don't see how equality is the main formula for making a robotic and dead society, where everyone dresses the same and thinks the same.
I'm sure that equality is meant to be translated No social classes, no enormous economical gaps, everyones right for education, healthcare, food and a roof over their head.

Why are all these things considered "BAD" in most peoples eyes?
Shouldn't the strong protect the weak?
Shouldn't the rich provide more for the less fortunate, so they atleast could eat and not live in fridge boxes under bridges?
Shouldn't the scientists inventions and creations benefit all of us?


We are all strong and unique in our own ways and that's why we're never going to be totally equal.
But isn't that great?
Because we're different and have different abilities and have different knowledge, shouldn't we team up and do something great together every day?
It's sad to watch people compete with eachothers every day over their abilities because capitalism thinks it's a good thing.


I really don't think that freedoms like which clothes you prefer wearing or what kind of jewellery or shoes would be taken away in equality.
I really do not think anyone is a hypocrite wearing a ruby necklace.
I don't think a marxist needs to be a hypocrite wearing a blue T-shirt instead of a red.
I want to see more individuality and I think that it will come if people wakes up and don't worry about fashion or how to fit in, like today in this system.

And why are everybody trying to fit in when they are afraid of collectivism?

But that is a question someone else has to answer.

I'm saying that to someone who is not a communist and you are trying to persuade them, how would you answer this question? To them their material items ARE what define them and make them "separate from the crowd".

I will read the other posts later. I'm afraid I'm late for class.

Really? I always was under the impression that individuality referred to how people think, perceive things and their opinions on the world being either unique and individualistic in the sense that they rely on their own intellect to derive them, and don't blindly accept what is presented to them or what the masses do. The majority of people are very similar for the most part, regardless of a few meager differences in clothing styles. Most attempt to "fit in" to some subgroup that conforms to the broader expectations of mainstream society; a herd mentality.



Well said! xd

That won't persuade them as much as I feel like it will turn them off. They'll feel attacked. You have a good point, I don't disagree with you. I'm just wondering if there's a better way to put it. Perhaps not however. Sometimes the truth hurts.