Lemmings

Lemmings are best known for following the crowd to their death. I have always had an aversion to being a lemming. How can you be a Lemming and still be distinct?

We are all Lemmings in elevators. The unspoken Lemming Law is to enter, turn around, push the button, and look up, scoot to the back if more Lemmings enter. No meeting of the eyes is allowed. You are permitted to talk on a cell phone and pretend that you are all alone, pretend that no one can hear you. You can look past others but there is an invisible social shield around you that prevents interaction and protects vulnerability.

The Lemming Life does not lead to distinction. To be an average, vanilla, lame follower is to be a filler-kind of person. Fluff, a utility. Even subtleties of uniqueness can attract excitement and curiosity from others. They make us memorable.

Next time you are in an elevator....break the shield. Lose the Lemming in you.