"What is the impetus for people to act outside the parameters of that which society deems normal?"

My understanding is that, in general, the obeject of the human will is good. Deviations from that can occur due to a variety of influences such as ignorance, greed, peer pressure and selfishness. Mental illnesses of all types can distort the perceptions of reality.

But, basically the various aspects of behavior, appearance and location the of our dwellings, as well as their various aspects are reflections of ourselves to a degree. There is a spectrum for all of these and a subset of each spectrum is, from a Philosophical POV rather arbitraily defined and identified as "normal". How much of the overall range is thought of as "normal" has to do with balance between firmness and flexibility of set of people making up the society. Some of us can tolerate a racially different GLBT neighbor of an opposing religion but won't accept anything but white Christmas lights.

Some of this has to do with identity which demands certain aspects of ourselves set us apart as unique. Other aspects unify us and make us feel like part of the group.

"Is the above question psychological or philosophical in nature?"

Yes, both, in my opinion.

And often youth driven. As youths seek to individuate, they find that 'something else' that distinguishes them.

I also think At heart, we are social creatures and being placed unwillingly outside 'normal' parameters can be very painful.

There are those ARE willing, who take a strong stance against or for something, and need a way to call attention to it. What better way than to break out of normal patterns? This isn't always the optimal way, or even the most effective, but it is *a* way, in a giant population.


I took a psych class once-- I think it was a 101, I remember the instructor saying that 'normal' on a line, had 65% of the middle, on either side of that line the norms went from slightly odd to a complete breakdown of what would be considered normal human parameters. I always remembered that because I found it interesting, and of course, I wondered where I would fall in that parameter.

Then there are these people, my favorite of all, I find them in professions from engineers to poets, from situations of wealth to the homeless;


"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

Henry David Thoreau

never believe them when they say there will be No Math

That is very true.

a certain kind of impetus and deviation
maybe good action outside normal and not bad action

i read you to mean an inside force in we, the animated, that is not like an outside force on inert matter

an example can explain allotte