Right then. Goaded by the incessant, shrill voices of Facebook demanding attention and by the incredibly intellectual and entertaining debate that rages in my spa at 11 at night, I am going to put my thoughts onto metaphorical paper on the subject of individuality and identity. YES, this is a thinly veiled dig at the supporters of ‘512 Day’ and that sort of ilk, but I would hope that you bear with my argument on the matter and at least have the decency to countermand me with intellect rather than flames. If I wanted to seriously assault you, I’d write a whole post about you, and that day is fast approaching, but for now I broach this subject merely in the interests of psychological theory. So, I hope you enjoy it.
First and foremost, my discussion opens with an examination of myself, as I am wont to do. Why do I find the company of some far more interesting than the company of others? Why do people I barely know command my respect, and why do others I have known for years command none? What, in short, attracts me to individuals? The answer, we have found, is simple. I am attracted to those who match my personality in terms of stature – that is to say, those who share the same elements of personality that I myself share. After closer examination, all those I would hold in respect have self-awareness, confidence, and layers. All those I hold in contempt do not.
I am explaining this poorly. I shall attempt to summarise the overall thought. I, having a ‘strong’ personality, am attracted to the company of others who possess ‘strong’ personalities. I am also repelled by those who possess ‘weak’ personalities.
So, what makes a ‘strong’ personality? Again, after much discussion, we concluded that the answer is simple – have an interest, a passion! For example, I have a passion for writing and expression, for World of Warcraft, for good books, and for finding out what makes others tick. My closest confident and oft-inspiration – Ben – has a passion for art and for acrobatics. A girl named Catherine who I do not know very well has a penchant for expression and English, though I sense there is a lot more that I am not seeing – in short, our passions and abilities lend us depth, which in turn gives us strength. To summarise this thought, hobbies lead to confidence and surety of self. If you know what you like, you know who you are.
By no means am I suggesting that to have a ‘strong’ personality means to be outspoken, extroverted and vocal. Again to quote examples, I know a girl named Kelly who is one of the meekest people I know – but she has that strength that originates from depth. I find her a fascinating person and despite the fact she is so withdrawn, I enjoy her company vastly – perhaps even more so than people I spent thrice as much time around and who make four times the noise. Indeed, there are infinite elements to consider in how ‘strong’ personalities will relate to each other – it isn’t all being loud. I myself tend to be a veritable flow of words when in the company of Ben, who has over time become a master at changing the direction of my thought processes with a single sentence interjected. In this manner, we communicate and create– this entire discussion is the work of the two of us, one night in the spa.
To consider the other end of the spectrum, those with ‘weak’ personalities are a whole other kettle of fish. You know the type. Endless Facebook status updates with how bored they are, how miserable they are, how much their life sucks. They have a brittle outer shell of misery and resentment, and their hollow insides are easy to see. I for one cannot stand the company of one for more than a few seconds at a time, and the sight of their endless moaning makes me angry. Perhaps it is the lack of talent and passion that led to their identities retaining the consistency of wet cardboard – I do not know. I suspect this is not the case all the time – one of the chief offenders is quite a good drawer, for example – but it seems to hold true. Without something driving you, these parasites – for parasites they are – latch on to one another and feed each other’s misery. And that is exactly what Project 512 is. A hollow refuge for the hollow.
But I digress.
To sum up:
‘Strong’ personalities will enjoy the company of other ‘strong’ personalities and be uncomfortable, even contemptible, of those with ‘weak’ personalities.
‘Weak’ personalities band together to mask their lack of depth and feed off one another’s misery, perhaps taking solace in the fact that just because all they have left to them is complaining doesn’t mean they can’t share that with someone just like them.
I consider myself a strong personality and cannot abide those with weak personalities. I refuse to believe they are victims of circumstance, especially in the day and age we live in, and I have no patience for them.
To finish entirely, another spiffy picture! I'm going to make a habit of giving a new one every post, because it means I can thumbnail them on facebook and it isn't always the rainbow crow.
5 comments:
I find I must agree - I know some very strong personalities that can sit quietly amongst the chaos of a dozen others fighting for attention. Indeed, these are the people that I respect the most.
As for the whingers, the attention seekers... All the noise of the great wide ocean can be heard from a single empty shell - perceived output does not necessarily indicate content.
Jason its Warrick here.. again iam impressed with your blogs and i cant be fucked using punctuation because it makes writing things take three times as long for me, now i think i would fit into the group of weaker personalitys because i dont persue any hobbys... unless playing warcraft 3, listening to metal, browsing 420 chan all day long and drinking count, do you think there is hope for weaker personalitys or will we just wallow in self pity leeching off others for our existence?
I disagree with you, Warrick.
I think you have a certain vibrancy of personality that makes you a pleasure to be around.
I think alcohol isn't good for you, but you'll notice I never have any problem being around you sober. You're actually quite stimulating and enjoyable company.
I'm not sure what gives your personality strength, but you're a thinker - and you're pretty sure of what you believe, which lends you depth.
As for what you said, of course there is hope for weaker personalities - you imply that their existence is hopeless just because it may be more miserable.
Anyone can stumble upon a pastime that gives them pleasure at any time in their lives, and the weak become strong, find meaning.
I disagree wholly. EVERYBODY has weak moments and strong moments. Whereas I have a very strong personality, several hobbies and at least two very strong passions and lots of people love being around me as well, even I have times where I become weak and frail. I'm not perfect, nor do I claim to be anything close. I do not certainly think anyone is beneath me except those who openly hate, for I see t hem as not quite awake to all the world can be just yet. There is potential in everything and everyone.
Wanting to reach out is not weakness, it is the first sign of strength. Upon reading your blogs you seem rather arrogant and elitist. You got there some how. There was once a time when you were a "Whiner" and an "Attention seeker". Sure, some grow out of it after the toddler and teenage bouts of it ear ly on. Some hide it, and soem it takes awhile longer. You have no idea what may be going on inside a person's head, so until you actually do you can never truly say who the weak ones are and who the strong ones are.
I suggest you get an attitude adjustment and some perspective before trying to judge those you consider beneath you. They might just be the kings and queens while you're the pauper instead of the other way around.
"Upon reading your blogs you seem rather arrogant and elitist."
Yes, guilty as charged.
"There is potential in everything and everyone."
I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, I do my best to live my life by this creed. I'm not as quick to judge as you may think - most of this is just theory.
I also agree with you that wanting to reach out is not a sign of weakness - everyone needs support once in a while. I'm also not talking about mental health issues - some of the 'strong' personalities I have encountered are rife with mental health issues (Baest, my best friend, for example). I'm talking about depth and self-conviction, mostly, and what gives individuals those attributes.
I also agree that you can rarely tell who the weak and the strong are just by looking at them - but strong calls to strong, and weak to weak. I find certain personalities compelling for reasons I can't explain. Might this not be attributed to similar depth and strength? Or, logically, similiar weakness and vunerabilities - but I'm arrogant, as you said, and I also like to believe the best of myself, so I focused my argument on strengths - because I have self-esteem. It may have flawed the argument somewhat, but that can't be helped. :)
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