Transcendentalism

Sorry this is late.. anyways, I'm thinking that after all the editing is done, my paper needs a lot of organizing, it will involve the idea that conformity is a type of illusion. Emerson says that nature is the only form of escape from todays society, and to be free, you have to release yourself from all form of work and burdens. I don't believe this is true at all. Nature can be a form of relaxation, but its not the only form. I have been juggling so many ideas around in my head and talking to a few of my peers, what I have learned is that an individuals escape can be anything. It can be nature, music, sports, company, shopping, sleeping, art, even in some cases it can be work. Some people like to always be productive, its not bad, its just who they are. Also, it could be religion. In Emerson's Harvard Divinity School Address, he told the graduates there that they had wasted their time by studying religion and many were insulted resulting in his banishment from the campus. I can better understand their offense since beginning this paper. Religion can be an escape for people too. Knowing that there is always something out there that is perfect, in a sense its almost like nature.. I hope to re-do my paper and fit in somewhere that even if you try avoid conforming to the social norm.. you are still conforming to some sort of group. Being an individual is smudged by our society because people are influenced so easily by the media. For years those who fit the criteria of the "norm" will buy anything the entertainment business tries to sell. The newest weight loss scam, sex scandals, fashion statements, who's new and whats hot. Although those who oppose todays brainless following, they too were influenced by someone who was probably involved in the media. A protester, indie musician, any sort of rebel throughout history. Those are my ideas and it will happen.. hopefully in a more organized in flowing manner.