Monday, July 31, 2006
Define Normal
by Julie Ann Peters As you can see, define aware can easily be connected to define normal, that is because the address of this media blog of mine was patterned after the title of this book.
When I read this book back in first year, I found it difficult to put down. I was so engrossed in the story that I wanted to finish it in one sitting, but there were really times when I had to sleep, so the book had to stay on my bedside table and out of my hands.
What is the definition of normal exactly? Well, according to Webster's College Dictionary, normal is conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; regular; natural; serving to fix a standard; approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment; or free from any mental disorder, sane. The thing is, and this is very evident today, most people take so literally these definitions of normal. They do not anymore take into consideration if the act is right or wrong. To most people, it is as simple as if the majority do it, then it must be normal. Does this mean that if three quarters of the world kills, commits murder and suicide, these three immoral acts become normal? The answer, dear friends, is no.
That is why I liked this book so much. It cleared out that similarity and frequency are not the bases for normality, and that there are unusual things that other people consider normal. Sometimes a negligent punk rebel can be more normal than a studious goody-two shoes.
I have always believed that what is normal varies from person to person, just like opinions. After reading this book, I believed in my stand even more and came to appreciate the silly little things I find strange because they just might be normal for other people.
When I read this book back in first year, I found it difficult to put down. I was so engrossed in the story that I wanted to finish it in one sitting, but there were really times when I had to sleep, so the book had to stay on my bedside table and out of my hands.
What is the definition of normal exactly? Well, according to Webster's College Dictionary, normal is conforming to the standard or the common type; usual; regular; natural; serving to fix a standard; approximately average in any psychological trait, as intelligence, personality, or emotional adjustment; or free from any mental disorder, sane. The thing is, and this is very evident today, most people take so literally these definitions of normal. They do not anymore take into consideration if the act is right or wrong. To most people, it is as simple as if the majority do it, then it must be normal. Does this mean that if three quarters of the world kills, commits murder and suicide, these three immoral acts become normal? The answer, dear friends, is no.
That is why I liked this book so much. It cleared out that similarity and frequency are not the bases for normality, and that there are unusual things that other people consider normal. Sometimes a negligent punk rebel can be more normal than a studious goody-two shoes.
I have always believed that what is normal varies from person to person, just like opinions. After reading this book, I believed in my stand even more and came to appreciate the silly little things I find strange because they just might be normal for other people.
