MEZ OF THE SPLENDID BOHEMIANS ASKS THE ORACLE TO PONDER THE PROS AND CONS OF INDIVIDUALITY VS CONFORMITY? QUESTION: IS IT PREFERABLE TO MAINTAIN ONE’S INDIVIDUALITY, OR TO CONFORM TO THE GROUP?

I’ve been watching THE PRISONER, Patrick McGoohan’s ground-breaking, dystopian fantasy television series (showing currently in its entirety on the Criterion Channel), and it has set my mind reeling. The 1968 British production tells the dream-like allegory of Number 6, a Secret Agent -  (McGoohan was already identified in the public’s mind that way, having starred in the successful spy show ‘Danger Man”),- who tries to retire, but is kidnapped, whisked away, and held prisoner, under 24/7 surveillance inside a charming little seaside village (called “The Village”), which is populated by a group of cheerful, brightly dressed zombies who’ve all been assigned numbers. The person running the asylum is #2 (the actor rotates every week) -who is trying to get number 6 to tell them why he wanted out, but 6 is defiant, refusing to comply, and every week tries to escape. Inevitably, he always ends up back where he started - no matter how elaborate the attempt. The identity of number 1 is a closely guarded secret, revealed (or, is it?) in the final episode. The production design is Mediterranean-Disney outside - Ultra modern inside, and reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange - another monumental, late sixties confection of paranoia. McGoohan himself was a prickly, no nonsense, anti-authoritarian who produced, wrote, starred in, and directed several episodes, and this opus still stands as his masterpiece. In this story, as in many others, the rugged individual is often held up as someone to be admired and emulated. Unfortunately, they also often end up crushed by the system they refuse to bow to. I certainly identify with artists who have carried on with their passion, despite public indifference, poverty, and self doubt: the agony of Van Gogh, the isolation and penury of Henry Darger, and the dyspeptic Charles Bukowski come to mind. They all persisted, against societal scorn, creating work that endures. But I believe that most people (although TikTok might belie this) want to live quietly and peacefully; not to make waves, not to be disdained; but just to make a living for their families, and die having been loved and remembered by their circle.But, then again, if one has opinions about wrongs being committed by one’s government, and one doesn’t speak out for fear of arousing unwanted attention, can one live with oneself? So today’s question for the oracle: QUESTION: IS IT PREFERABLE TO MAINTAIN ONE’S INDIVIDUALITY, OR TO CONFORM TO THE GROUP?The oracle’s response: HEXAGRAM 3: “RETRENCHMENT” (MOVING LINE 2)HEXAGRAM 60: “FRUGALITY” OR “LIMITATION”