May 15th, 2010: Caracas, Venezuela
Identity is shaped through negotiation. The individual defines himself according to certain parameters whilst the world around him do a similar thing. They way the Self is defined is thus not only by the individual himself but also by the others around him.
Individualism in the Western/liberal sense of the word clearly demonstrates how the formation of identity is created through these two viewpoints. It has become somewhat of a fashion statement to claim that one wouldn’t have to care what the others around him think of him since he is the center of his own universe. However, this attitude can be reduced to its true form, that is it nothing more than an act which is indeed meant to influence the outside opinions of the Self.
So what does this paradox mean?