When I have finished this illustration and was getting to update my blog with this post I have done a quick study on what the MODEL is. How people define MODEL? Is it the same as how I do? What caught my eyes was not the meaning of the word but the list.
Scale model / Physical model / 3D model / Architectural model / Car model / Diecast model / Organism model / Model Number / Model figure / Model art / Fetish model / Promotional model / Pseudo-model, young would-be models also called lang-mo / Role model / Conceptual model / Mathematical model / Software model / Business model / Casual model / Computer model / Molecular model / Data model / Economic model / Ecosystem model / Graphic model / Internal model / Mental model / Pension model / Standard model / Statistical model / Mechanistic model / System model / Toy model / Enterprise model / NLP model / Similitude model / Value-added model / Scientific model ... and the list goes on ...
Everything needs a model and every one of us needs to find a model for everything we do to imitate, to follow, to study and then to create more models for someone else to do the same thing.
In Ayn Rand's novel, The Fountain Head, the character Roark talks to Wynand about what he calls the "second-handers". A second-hander is someone who has no real sense of self, but instead borrows their perception of self from those around them. When you look around you how many second-handers can you see? How many young people can you see in danger of being second-handers all their lives? Pretending to be someone you are not so that you might gain respect or seem more likeable to your peers is amongst some of the most unhealthy behaviour that you could ever exhibit. Being you, being real, being authentic, is all that you are here for. If you forgo your sense of self in favour of blending in with the status quo, you cheat yourself out of your own greatness. Since there will never be another you, you are given away the one chance the world had to experience something uniquely you.
It's easier to be like others. It's easier to copy the lifestyles of those around you. It's easier to adopt the thoughts, opinions, beliefs and attitudes of others than to get deeply in touch with your own.
Everyday, in almost every moment you have two choices. Be a second-hander or be you. What's it going to be?
My column illustration titled "The Model" | April 2013
