The Western world is very keen to discuss individuality as long as it falls within certain parameters.To show your individuality as entrepreneurship is hotly advocated, but individuality that dissents from the norms is degenerated. I have often wondered where these norms comes from as they change over the generations (you only have to look at what is considered normal dress code over the centuries to see just how radical change can be) and because it has always fascinated me how millions of people will acquiesce to what one person tells them to do.
Of course it is really all about power and how, anthropologists tell us, we view ourselves within the society, and this is not the society of laws and cities but the community of people. How many of us want to stand-out, how some of us want to rule, how many of us want to garner to themselves those things that are seen as marks of success. The number of people who think it worthwhile kneeling in front of a monarch to be given a medal is amazingly high.
When you get rid of the Hollywood stuff you are actually left with everything our ancestors had: how to get fresh good food and fresh clean water and have somewhere dry and safe to live.
Some things never go out of fashion!