[satvikpendem]

Agreed, as a staunch physicalist [0]. As well, I don't think people need anyone else to grow into their own, unless they've been socially (or perhaps even physically) repressed. None of the people I know who are eccentric have really been molded that way by others per se, it was an inherent personality that came out because of precisely the opposite, they simply didn't give a shit what anyone else thought.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physicalism

[1659447091]

> it was an inherent personality that came out because of precisely the opposite, they simply didn't give a shit what anyone else thought.

A possible missing step here. While maybe true for some, many of (the few) eccentric types I know grew up bullied or ostracized in some small ways and after repeated failings to "fit in" or please others expectations said f-this and embraced themselves. It still came about from others, but in a not so pleasant way

[satvikpendem]

Hence

> unless they've been socially (or perhaps even physically) repressed

[1659447091]

I took repressed to mean a far greater extent than typical school yard bullying I meant to convey

[satvikpendem]

Repression comes in many levels. It does not mean to be psychologically beat down until one is a shell of a person (and indeed, even typical schoolyard bullying can create such an effect in certain individuals).