an outcast. an outsider.

You're an outcast.
You're an outsider.

For sure, these words aren't complimentary.
But it's worth giving it a thought on their context.
Context, I mean by the way in which these words are conceptualized.

The Cambrigde Advanced Learner's Dictoinary defines these words as the following:

OUTCAST
a person who has no place in their society or in a particular group, because the society or group refuses to accept them.
OUTSIDER
a person who is not involved with a particular group of people or organization or who does not live in a particular place.






An outsider can also be put as someone from the "outside world".
i.e. The one who does't/didn't belong to the group/society that one is now in.

Here's an example of a "reputable" outsider.
The German automobile, BMW, was originally an aeroplane engine manufacturer. But now it's a humongous, world leading driving machine supplier. It's design, quality and branding is far better than that of its competitors. There weren't automobile manufacturers from the beginning. They were providing engines for fighter planes during World War1 and World War2. BMW only started dealing automobiles in US in 1954.

See the point?
BMW were outsiders to the automobile market. They brought in their technologies and knowledge of fighter planes(OUTSIDE) and applied it to vehicles. It wasn't a red carpet to the current success but they certainly brought outside technologies to the market. Which then in turn, brought in further outsiders and more competition for the original automobile manufacturers.

What I'm trying to imply is that the adjective "outsider" cannot always have a negative meaning.






Then let's consider the word "outcast".
The definition stated that it's someone who has been refused by the society. What the hell's that supposed to mean? Is being refused by the society so lamentable? Is what is unacceptable in the society, i.e. going against the moral, always repugnant? I hardly believe so.

Rather, I am so dazzled by such person. They amaze in me by the fact that they are so willing to accomplish their desires, have their own aims and values unlike any other. They pave their own paths. They are themselves. And I believe that such behaviour is the most ideal human factor to acquire.

Here's an example of a "respectable" outcast.
Robert Mondavi founded his own winery in California to create the finest wines of America. Some praise that Mondavi wine is as tasteful as, or even better than French wines. He grew up in Napa Valley where his family ran a winery. After his father died, he wanted to invest in new ways to create the world's very best wines. However, his family was all satisfied with the way their current business was profiting and so he left his family to start his own winery.

Obviously he was jeered at. Nevertheless, his powerful commitment to the creation of the finest wines brought him what he envisioned. Californian wine levelled with the European wines.

See? Robert Mondavi was an outcast. He had enormous disputes with his family and left. Then he started his own winery simply because he didn't like the way his family's winery was run. What a jerk. Stupidity. An outast. That's what I would think. Maybe you do too. But that wasn't what happened. He brought life into Californaian winery; innovation took place.






Outsider. Outcast.
I think these two words would be a compliment some time in the near future. When you discuss innovation in business, society or whatever, there's always the concept of outsider/outcast behind them. It's these people who go against the "flow of society" that make all the changes.

I "think" against the flow of society but I don't quite "act" it out. It's a fundamental problem I have that I sometimes truely regret on having. Maybe we all have it. But only the greatest will break out of it.

What do you think? Think I'm wrong?
Well, then, consider these questions for yourself.

Why do job hunting when you don't have any knowledge or expertise necessary for that job/company? Why are you attending the college you are now? Why didn't you go to Harvard or Northwestern? Did you choose to job hunt or did the social pressure (ie family, friends) make you do it? What is your dream? What is so special and unique about your dream? How are you going to achieve that dream? Can you REALLY achieve it? Aren't you being optimistic?

When I ask myself these questions, I'm in shock. Because I have never gone against the flow when I really needed to. I attend the current university because I attended the same high school and didn't think much about my career. I did job hunting becasue I felt the need from the society. I have a dream that is too vague and quite optimistic if I were to achieve them beginning in Tokyo.






I would argue that going against the social moral isn't always the correct thing to do. Nevertheless, if you never do so, then your life's going to be in misery. If your society makes you think it important and make you do things, then what the hell are you doing it for? For whom is that going to benefit? You? I don't think so. You can't even say that you made your own decisions.

Where the hell are "YOU"???

Where the hell am "I"???






Don't just think it. Sink it in. And do it.
Don't just sit there and agree/disagree with what I've written. Do something.
Make your one and only life interesting.