Recommended Reading: The Fountainhead

 

Acts of Non-Conformity

 

“Evil can only be perpetuated when good people do nothing.”  This is one of the many phrases I’ve underlined in Ayn Rand’s book, The Fountainhead.

The Fountainhead is full of lessons on the consequences of non-conformity. The sacrifices one faces when going against the grain to forge a path for themselves are outlined very deftly in the telling of Howard Roark (the protagonist) as he travels his own path. A path that speaks to his soul despite the attempts of oligarchs or societal pressures to get him to follow the established way of architectural innovations. In other words, to conform.

The architectural references in this book reminded me of my studies at University, of the Sullivan buildings in Chicago, and Louis Sullivan’s Prairie School influences on Frank Lloyd Wright. Those magnificent skyscrapers of Chicago and the seemingly simplistic style of the cantilever design are in sharp contrast to each other. One such magnificent example of this style is the home he named Fallingwater.  

In recommending this book, I have to be careful so that the message is not misconstrued. The book does not espouse the tenets of Objectivism, of which Ayn Rand is known, but more on the line of non-conformity. And, by non-conformity, she is not advocating destruction or an attempt to cause chaos. On the contrary, society tolerates non-conformity to a point (see my blog post on “Red Pill, Blue Pill”) and is healthy for societal discourse. It is sometimes necessary to question beliefs and engage in a healthy debate where dissenting ideas promote growth.

Neither does non-conformity mean working and living autonomously without thoughts of how actions and behaviors affect others. After all, we are social animals and need each other to thrive. Frank Lloyd Wright worked collaboratively with Sullivan; otherwise, he would not have been successful. Sullivan’s mentorship is legendary, and his fundamental influences embody Wright’s architectural style. In this context, what I am speaking of is the diametric differences between the two—an individual’s need to march to the beat of a different drummer, as it were. 

Robert Frost 's poem, “The Road Not Taken” is an often-used reference for this philosophy.

So, if being a nonconformist means fulfilling a vision, which no one else shares but is uniquely yours, instead of conforming to current behavior (e.g., but, we’ve always done it this way) mentality, then I choose non-conformity any day. The idea of pushing back on conformity, to think for ourselves and not follow the detrimental rules of mob mentality, should be commended. Setting standards and standing up for ones individual principles are the hallmarks of integrity. Not allowing ourselves to be the ‘bobbleheads’ or ‘yes men’ in an organization has its merits.

As someone said, “When all around you are saying ‘yes,’ always listen to the person in the back of the room who firmly and quietly says, ‘no.’ It's said for a reason, and the dissent is a warning of caution. Operating in an echo chamber is no guarantee for success. We are not supposed to please everyone; no one can. And if you find your are, you're doing something wrong. Friedrich Nietzsche is quoted as saying, “Don’t tell me who likes you, tell me who doesn’t like you. That will tell me who you are.” This is very true.  

Sorry for getting carried away. Back to the book! 

You can read up on Ayn Rand’s position on Objectivism and Individualism as the philosophy follows the dictates of Liberalism, but The Fountainhead is an excellent read and thought-provoking on the theme of conformity. 

And for that, I highly recommend reading.

©Copyright 2020 d.lawrence. All Rights Reserved.