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club WV Theme...               #35A / 35B              ...individual<--->group

 SELF RELIANT NONCONFORMITY / WORKING FOR CHANGE

I believe in myself: in my mind, in my skills, in the importance of the work I do, in what’s inside my heart, in my sense of right and wrong, and in my ability to cope with whatever life throws at me. Increasingly, I rely on myself, on my own wisdom and effort, not on the authority of others, their help, or government help. I find that I no longer envy or imitate others, or blindly conform to custom or societal convention. (Note: For non-conformists in general, individual choice and societal choice often conflict. While a motto for the self reliant is “If it is to be, it’s up to me,” if they really want to change society, they must work with others. Activities that the dissatisfied pursue range from filing lawsuits, to reforming the system from within, to seeking revolution.)

Related Words, Beliefs, Background -- 52 entries       Discussion from The Worldview Literacy Book

WV Theme #35A: Self Reliant Nonconformity--Alternate Concise Characterization with Wikipedia Entries

values Individualism (puts individual rights over those of society, family, etc) often takes do it yourself approach
often rejects what society dictates and conformity  values self sufficiency
 

WV Theme #35B:Working for Change--Alternate Characterization with Wikipedia Entries

values social justice, Economic Progressivism known to support social movements
known to be involved in political campaigns relates to environmentalism as a social movement

summary Wikipedia article:  Activism

   

More to Explore -- Worldview Theme #35A: Self Reliant Nonconformity 

Emerson's famous essay Self Reliance
Understanding Emerson's essay and links related to it
Self Reliance and Ralph Waldo Emerson (a Unitarian Universalist contribution)
Self Reliance and Creative Destruction, by Bryan Caplan (explores personal & economic individualism)
Are You a Non-Conformist? 
Theories About Conforming (numerous links)
The Relationship Between Non-Conformity and Self Actualization (questions relating to this)
The Self Sufficiency and Self Reliance Homepage 
How to be a Non-Conformist (about the1967 book)
Modernity and Individual Responsibility, by M.M. Agrawal
Amortality: Why It's No longer Necessary to Act Your Age by Catherine Mayer (Apr 25 2011 Time story)
Nudge, by R. Thaler & C. Sunstein (review of 2008 book about public policy and human tendency to conform)
Individual vs. Society Themes in Literature: in Daisy Miller by James, and Old Woman Magoun by Freeman
Cultures in Conflict: Group Rights vs. Individual Rights, by Lyra Garzon
Conversations with History: A Dissenting Voice, with Christopher Hitchens  (2002 UCTV program)
Harlan Hubbard by Wendell Berry (biography of a self reliant non-conformist; read excerpts at Google Books)
The Teenage Pursuit of Individuality
Individuality by Robert G. Ingersoll
Co-Dependency Traps: Avoiding the Intoxication that Imprisons
Dependence and Conformity
quotes about self reliance
quotes about conformity and nonconformity

More to Explore -- Worldview Theme #35B: Working for Change 

Social Justice  (from online encyclopedia )
Progressivism  (from online encyclopedia)
Civil Disobedience  (from online encyclopedia)
Revolution  (from online encyclopedia)
Rebellion (from online encyclopedia)
Reactionary (from online encyclopedia)
Terrorism (from online encyclopedia)
People Power (from online encyclopedia) 
Worldview Watch issue #16: Democracy and Revolution in Africa 
Worldview Watch issue #21: 2011 Protests: Yes to Democracy, No to Greed
Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by C. Heath and D. Heath (more on this 2010 book)
Leadership Jihad, by Marc Sageman (review of 2008 book about what turns people into terrorists)
Holding Power Accountable -- The Common Cause website
Tools for Progressive Student and Youth Activists (campusactivism.org website)
Working for Change ("online journal of progressive news and opinion")
Change the World Kids ("teens making a difference through humanitarian and environmental initiatives")
The World in Action (Avaaz.org website)
A Primer on Class Struggle, by Michael Schwalbe (2011 article by North Carolina State University professor) 
What Social Science Can Tell Us About Social Change, by G. William Domhoff (UC Santa Cruz professor)
Radical Activist Network
The Giraffe Heroes Project
Stick Your Neck Out:A Street Smart Guide to Creating Change in Your Community & Beyond, by J. Graham (book excerpt)
Progressive Activism--Resources & Essays
Links to Progressive and Activist Sites 
Center for Community Change: Movement Vision Project
The Institute for the Study of Social Change (at UC Berkeley)
Environmental Activist Site Links
350.org (environmental activists battling climate change, working to limit CO2 in atmosphere to 350 ppm)
This Will Change Everything by John Brockman (about this 2009 book offering ideas from 150 thinkers)
Medical Reform Activism
The Activist's Handbook, by Randy Shaw (info on this book published by UC Press)

Community Organizing: People Power from the Grassroots by D. Beckwith, C. Lopez (online pamphlet)

"Protestor's Message Pretty Simple and Clear: Enough is Enough" by Donna Smith (October 5 2011 article on Common Dreams)
Rage, Rap and Revolution:Inside the Arab Youth Quake by Bobby Ghosh (Feb 17 2011 Time cover story)
"Fighting Back in Iran" by Robin Wright (article from Time, August 10, 2009)
"How Obama is Using the Science of Change," by Michael Grunwald  (article from Time, April 13, 2009)
"A Quiet Revolution Grows in the Muslim World, by Robin Wright" (article from Time, March 30, 2009)
quotes related to dissent
quotes related to reform

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forward to next club theme,  WV Theme #36

"As you shop in "The Reality Marketplace" avoid spending your "reality cash" too early,  before you have seen everything. " 
from Coming of Age in the Global Village,  by Stephen P. Cook,  with Donella H. Meadows.

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