Individuality Saves Lives

August 18th, 2006
Mumbai, India

Residents claim the polluted water of Mahim Creek has turned "sweet". Recieving thousands of tons of sewage and industrial waste every day, local officials have attempted to thwart the community's efforts in consuming the supposedly "holy" water without success. Many have gathered plastic bottles to fill with the sweet liquid, while others bath in what they think is "Baba's blessing". Fearing an outbreak of waterborne illnesses including gastroenteritis, officials are testing water samples from the Creek.

June, 1962
North Carolina, United States

Sixty-two employees of a United State's textile company have fallen ill, experiencing symptoms including nausea and vomiting. Workers have connected the sickness to the recent infestation of june bugs in the textile mill. Claiming to have been bitten, the number of workers experiencing symptoms has risen each day; however, health care officials have yet to find any bites on the victims.

1518
Strousburg, France 

A dancing epidemic has enveloped the country. One woman started dancing, and soon enough, 400 joined her as they all danced their way until exhaustion. The majority died.

...

Mass hysteria affects only those who are gullible and weak enough to follow along. If one is brave enough to go against the grain, to be different, to be an individual... then maybe the instances described above would have never occurred. The masses would not have all drank toilet water, gotten sick with an imaginary bug, or danced to death. It takes only one brave soul to voice an outside opinion that could move the minds of the majority.

Don't be afraid to be different; individuality saves lives.