Songs For The Struggling Artist

Generation X has tended to resist being labeled and we also tend to resent being identified with a group. We like to think ourselves as individuals. I have a Gen X friend who finds the concept of a “hive mind” deeply troubling. It strikes him as dangerous conformity to ask the hive mind what it thinks. I get it. I identify as a non-conformist, too. But I also grew up listening to a lot of Steve Martin records. And from an early age, I understood the irony of identifying as a non-conformist along with a group through this part of his routine: STEVE MARTIN: And now let’s repeat the non-conformist oath! I promise to be different! AUDIENCE: I promise to be different! STEVE MARTIN: I promise to be unique! AUDIENCE: I promise to be unique! STEVEN MARTIN: I promise not to repeat things other people say! AUDIENCE: (laughter) To read more of Gen X Part 2 - We Belong visit the Songs for the Struggling Artist blog. This is Episode 52 and part two of an 8 part series. Song: We Belong by Pat Benatar Image via Pixabay To s