The other day I witnessed an unusual phenomenon here on campus.I was walking through the quad with a friend of mine, and we were talking about the “fraternization” of society. In particular, we were trying to figure out why so many young college students embrace collective identities at the expense of their individuality.While we were speaking, a hoard of young men raced past us wearing only camouflage pants, combat boots and a dog tag collared around their necks. Leading the way was their stern commander, who assembled the group right outside Free Speech Alley.Standing over them, his massive shadow towering above their blind subservience, the commander barked out a set of commands. The apparent soldiers immediately fell into line as their master roared out an incoherent strand of orders. Dog tags rattled against their chest as they hustled into place.The shirtless general howled yet again and, like well-trained sled dogs, the hungry soldiers reverberated their master’s husky growl. Their faces bore no sign of thought or hesitation. Not a hint of insecurity swept across their wide white eyes. Only the laser-like focus of blind, unquestioning obedience.Over time a large crowd gathered, intently watching their fellow students grovel at the combat boots of their leader. They watched the progression in silence, confused and amazed. Only the soldiers unified chant could be heard, echoing the words of their shirtless general as if they were preparing for war.But as I mentioned, this was no battlefield. It wasn’t even some sort of military training facility. This event took place on our campus last week, right outside the Union.Even more surprising, this ritual had nothing to do with battle arrangements. As it turns out, it was an initiation for a fraternity. The group of young men draped in camouflage weren’t soldiers preparing for war — they were pledges. Rushees.For those in attendance, the event was nothing more than cheap entertainment. But it also served as a sociological case study, of sorts. It was a prime example of how far some people are willing to go to gain a sense of acceptance and camaraderie.Tragically, as seen in the mindless chants echoed by feigned warriors, the price tag for this type of “acceptance” often amounts to the price of one’s individuality.Very few campus organizations take their initiation to such extremes. Nevertheless, there are some who promote this delusional kind of conformity, or “groupthink.” They focus on the importance of the collective group, or “brotherhood,” rather than stressing the immeasurable value of the individual.The fact that so many people use collective labels to signal their personal values and beliefs to others shouldn’t come as a shock. We encounter various forms of this sociological signaling daily, whether on Facebook or in real life. People often reduce their identity to a mere religious affiliation, political party or ethnicity to portray themselves in a certain light.Of course, there’s nothing inherently wrong with joining any groups in these categories. The problem only arises when someone discards their uniqueness to gain the approval of others.It’s vital that people realize what they’re actually signaling — or, really, what they’re forfeiting — when they invest their entire identity in their particular fraternity, sorority, athletic team, political party etc.College campuses are meant to foster creative thought and introspection. But they all too often serve as human assembly lines for collective groups — sucking in young, vigorous individuals and spitting out generic replicas of one another. If our college years teach us anything, it should be that individuality should never take a back seat to conformity and groupthink.Individual identities are far too important to leave in the hands of other people.The more people try to devote their entire identity in some external group or organization, the more and more lost they’ll inevitably become.Scott Burns is a 20-year-old economics and history junior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_sburns. —————Contact Scott Burns at [email protected]