This dichotomy is the reason society struggles to find balance and cycles between unity, splintering polarity, and conflict back to unity. When we feel too diverse, especially with strong convictions on morality/politics/religion (or other world view), we tend to take sides as tensions escalate, and after a conflict we're unified in our stance, but then we don't want to be grouped/labeled and want to be unique, finding ways to be different and challenge "what is normal" only to create friction with differing opinions. As humans we are wired to make snap decisions and judgement, leading to stereotyping, which furthers the "us vs them" divide. Over enjoyed watching research and conversion around this and how acceptance and the introduction of multiple views points (to reduce the polarity from seemingly 2 options) affects this cycle and the conduct around those involved. Trying to recognize that "good" is fundamentally subjective, despite our options on what can be considered absolute, and trying to foster acceptance and understanding seems to me the fastest way to harmony and reduced conflict, which hopefully also encourage thought, reflection, and personal growth. Random rambling, but hopefully this sparks research, thought, and more in others as it has for me...

Monkey see, monkey do. (describes the learning process) If monkey jumps off a cliff, you don't need to follow him. (describes the need to take personal responsiblity for your learning) Is the outcome good? How do we decide? "Meets expectations" as a definition of normal implies that we have remained within the boundaries of current knowledge. Where is the room for enlightenment? Is that part of what it means to be good?

Hunt the Good.

i realize i also avoid the normal as if its plague

Interesting, the ancient cynics sought the Dao. They dropped out of society without leaving.

What is normal or not is a personal opinion. What is normal to one person could be considered wierd or abnormal to another and vice versa. Doesn't necessarily mean either is good or bad. It makes me think about common sense. I am generation X and i believe this is the last generation that the majority had common sense. I do believe alot of people think because they have learned something that most people have also learned this. Seems to be less the case now a days. Common sense has now become uncommon and i have started assuming it is more likely you dont understand how to do something i know and think of as common sense.