Individualism creates oppression because it can cause people to have too much pride in oneself. Having this much pride can lead to a person having a sense of superiority. As soon as that sense of superiority is established, oppression is created as one person can now influence another through fear and power, which are both derived from superiority. Individualism can also create oppression because it can lead to immense pressure put onto one person. An individual may not want to ask others to help or may want to tackle a problem by themselves. When this occurs, especially for larger problems such as racism, sexism, or other inequalities, there is immense pressure put onto one person. This creates oppression as the individual becomes bogged down with society's qualms and the person enters a state of unjust treatment and pressure compared to the rest of the society.

• How does individualism destroy oppression?

Oppression is often caused by someone having power over another, or instilling fear on another. Individualism can destroy oppression because it puts people on an equal footing and causes people to conquer their fears. It puts people on an equal footing as individualism causes people to put their reputation and power hungry behaviors behind them.

• What characteristics MUST a true individual possess?

There are certain characteristics that a true individual must possess. These include loyalty to the self, ability to face and overcome any fears, be self-guided, and be able to put their reputation behind them. Loyalty to the self is very important because it causes people to no longer be controlled by fear or be oppressed by another individual. The ability to face and overcome any fears is equally important because if fear is in your life, then you do not have full control of your life and thus not be a true individual. Being self-guided is necessary because it allows one to go in any direction they want under their own power. A true individual must also be able to put their reputation behind them which causes them to be controlled by fear of embarrassment. Finally, free will is necessary to be a true individual. Sure it may not be morally righteous and against society's norms, but free will allows an individual to do whatever they want whenever they want, thus being a true individual and not controlled by anything external.

• How is being an individual different than being self-reliant? Or is it?

There is a key difference between being an individual and being self-reliant. It is that an individual can rely on another person, while being self-reliant cannot. Being self-reliant means that a person will resort to themselves rather than others, especially in survival scenarios or injuries. An individual on the other hand will be helped by another individual, especially if that individual is more qualified and/or is teaching them. Another major difference between the two is that being an individual is being unique but not necessarily separate from others, while being self-reliant is completely separating oneself from other people.

- Nico Shearer