Exception … the basic gist:

You are different.

Exceptionalism:

Those who are more different are better.

The irony:

Modern society tries to make us all fit a cookie-cutter mould (Bed of Procrustes), yet still *PREFERS* the exception.

For example, we all eventually go Gaga for celebrities, and rich and famous and beautiful people. People magazine as probably the most prominent magazine in America (People magazine owned by the Meredith corporation).