Uniformity and diversity seem to be frankly contradictory tendencies, opposing forces that must learn to get along, since living in society implies sharing the same system of more or less similar laws and values. In fact, a definition of communication indicates that communicating is the ability to exchange perceptions in a " common language ". In the absence of that common language, the process of relating itself would be unfeasible.
So we can agree that there is a desirable degree of uniformity that allows people to communicate, join, and undertake projects of common interest. In the family, they seek to raise children around ways of thinking and acting similar to that of their parents, and they are taught ways of social interaction that ensure the acceptance and approval of peers.
Everyone knows that among teenagers, not looking like the group is a direct condemnation of contempt, rejection, and even aggression. Nothing different happens in politics, and especially in times of radicalism, the different is threatening and it is often the case that those who disagree with the prevailing ideas are persecuted. The same destiny has corresponded to numerous religious throughout history, and countless episodes of persecution and murder are known, suffered by those who dared to profess other creeds.
In psychology and psychiatry, uniformity is used as a criterion for defining the normal, and those who stray too far from the norm or average are perceived as rare, outlandish, abnormal, dysfunctional, sick, or dangerous. Again, uniformity is assumed as the acceptance parameter. According to the Buddha, without exception, we are all equal to suffering, especially expressed in old age, disease and death.
From this vision, innovators, rebels, pioneers and creators, those who seek their truth within, love change and risk breaking down cultural walls and challenging rules, receive at least the sanction of suspicion or rejection.
Paradoxically, however, the upbringing and socialization processes drive people to develop their individuality. We tell males how to differentiate themselves from females, we create differentiating classifications for everything, and we say that a child is not an adolescent, that an adolescent is not an adult, and that an adult is not an elder.
There are diverse races and cultures, more than 6,000 languages are spoken and it is accepted that the characteristics that best define nature are diversity and change. In other words, the opposite of uniformity. It is also accepted that as a biopsychosocial entity, no person is the same as another: each individual, despite being related to many others, does not have the same fingerprints or make the same decisions. The hummingbird and the condor are birds, but no sensible person would dare to compare them, since the hummingbird flutters up to 90 times per second, but it cannot ascend three thousand meters like the condor.
As for the values in education, we choose to teach respect, which in my definition is "the ability to allow others to be what they are, as long as their rights and behaviors do not overwhelm or limit ours." Respect, then, is to value differences.
It is a fact that although people have a preference for those who resemble them and who can predict, they also feel attraction and curiosity for some different ones.
Seen in this way, it is important for a good life to understand this complex plot of variety and uniformity coexisting together in a dialectical way. And as for how to proceed with others, I suggest tolerance for the different, empathy and understanding for the novel, the creative, the original, the individual. Isn't its unrepeatability what makes a talent valuable? If everyone painted like Da Vinci or composed like Mozart and had Edison's inventiveness, they would not be immortal heroes of our universal culture.
Let's understand at once, is what I suggest, that what is different is not bad for being different and that sometimes the best favor that a human being can do to the planet, is to think in an original way. If not, we would not worship Jesus or enjoy computers. Tolerance as a value, and creativity as a practice, can lead us to better destinations. Let's accept the existence of all colors and enjoy the magic of a rainbow. Thanks for reading me.
