The idea for this article came to me while watching a film. One of the characters levelled a fascinating question at the main antagonist. All he said was this: "who do you think you are?" After hearing this I paused the film and stopped to consider the question. After thinking a little while, I began thinking about food. However, after grabbing an apple, I was able to continue my train of thought. It comes down to this question. What is an identity? Throughout this article, I hope to explore all the implications of this question, and how it affects our lives every day.
When considering a question like this, it's best to start with the definition. According to the amazing vault of knowledge that is the internet, an identity is this: 'The fact of being who or what a person or thing is'.
This alone is a fascinating well of thoughts. After all, what is it that makes you you? What intangible quality is it that makes you so unique? What is it that stops this planet from being populated by seven billion carbon copies of the same person?
The first obvious answer is your personality. Indeed, it is most likely the primary factor in making each person different. But once again. What forged your personality? Why are some people meek, mild mannered individuals, while the people they rub shoulders with are bold, brash and outspoken? The best analogy I have found was in the book 'white fang' by Jack London. He compared a personality to clay. At the beginning of your life your personality is in an amorphous, undifferentiated state. A ball of clay, with no defining characteristics. But, as time marches onwards, and real life assaults us with decisions, challenges and opportunities, the clay is moulded into a recognisable shape. This is, in my opinion, an exceptional analogy. I think we can all agree that our personality is moulded and changed by our upbringing. You will be hard pressed to find an individual who wasn't severely influenced by the people who raised them. You always hear about parents 'ruining' children. And while this can be true, parents can also create a wonderful child. It is entirely within the power of our parents or guardians to mould and shape us into who we will one day become.
Or is it? After all, siblings aren't carbon copies of each other either. Not even identical twins, are truly identical. So, what else influences our identity. For me, this question was a simple one. Our own bodies shape us. Whether we are tall or short, fat or thin, curvaceous or flat, muscular or scrawny, beautiful or ugly. Not only our appearance, but also our brains can shape who we are. Disorders and disabilities are a perfect example. Would the blind boy be the same person if he were sighted? Would the deaf girl be herself, if she could hear? Even more striking are the differences caused by mental disorders and disabilities. Would I be who I am if I weren't autistic. Certainly not. Would the psychopath be just as cold hearted and ruthless if his brain were wired normally? Would the dyslexic be any different? Would the aspie be as logical, as aloof? No. They wouldn't.
Our actions shape us as well. Every choice you make will determine how you are viewed by the world. The way you speak, the way you dress, the way you hold yourself. This is the reflection of your identity that everyone will see. This is how we perceive individuality.
Each person appears to be born the same. A tiny, screaming life. Utterly unable to exist alone. Yet throughout our lives we become different, we separate and diversify. Two very similar people can become total strangers. The next piece of the puzzle of identity, is the very process of living. To return to the clay analogy, life is the process which moulds us. It is the mad, schizophrenic sculptor, with our clay clasped tightly in his fevered grip. All the random events, the trauma, the joys and pleasures. Each one can be compared to a skilled stroke of his hands, leaving a new impression on us. But, over time, the clay begins to set. It becomes harder and harder to change, to set a new mark on the clay. Yet, not impossible. It is almost always possible for someone to change.
The last thing that changes us, is almost poetic. The people around us. Our friends and partners can have a deep and profound impact on us. After all, the more time you spend with someone, the more they rub off on you. The people we associate ourselves with can define us. Playing the delicate and complicated social game is the greatest, most rewarding challenge anyone will face. And as such, it leaves marks.
So, what is an identity? It is the act of being. It is the intangible qualities that make up a person. It's what makes you different from anyone and everyone you meet. It is the sum total of every decision you ever made, every word you ever said, and every cell of your body.
To conclude, I leave you with this.
Who do you think you are?
CH
This alone is a fascinating well of thoughts. After all, what is it that makes you you? What intangible quality is it that makes you so unique? What is it that stops this planet from being populated by seven billion carbon copies of the same person?
The first obvious answer is your personality. Indeed, it is most likely the primary factor in making each person different. But once again. What forged your personality? Why are some people meek, mild mannered individuals, while the people they rub shoulders with are bold, brash and outspoken? The best analogy I have found was in the book 'white fang' by Jack London. He compared a personality to clay. At the beginning of your life your personality is in an amorphous, undifferentiated state. A ball of clay, with no defining characteristics. But, as time marches onwards, and real life assaults us with decisions, challenges and opportunities, the clay is moulded into a recognisable shape. This is, in my opinion, an exceptional analogy. I think we can all agree that our personality is moulded and changed by our upbringing. You will be hard pressed to find an individual who wasn't severely influenced by the people who raised them. You always hear about parents 'ruining' children. And while this can be true, parents can also create a wonderful child. It is entirely within the power of our parents or guardians to mould and shape us into who we will one day become.
Or is it? After all, siblings aren't carbon copies of each other either. Not even identical twins, are truly identical. So, what else influences our identity. For me, this question was a simple one. Our own bodies shape us. Whether we are tall or short, fat or thin, curvaceous or flat, muscular or scrawny, beautiful or ugly. Not only our appearance, but also our brains can shape who we are. Disorders and disabilities are a perfect example. Would the blind boy be the same person if he were sighted? Would the deaf girl be herself, if she could hear? Even more striking are the differences caused by mental disorders and disabilities. Would I be who I am if I weren't autistic. Certainly not. Would the psychopath be just as cold hearted and ruthless if his brain were wired normally? Would the dyslexic be any different? Would the aspie be as logical, as aloof? No. They wouldn't.
Our actions shape us as well. Every choice you make will determine how you are viewed by the world. The way you speak, the way you dress, the way you hold yourself. This is the reflection of your identity that everyone will see. This is how we perceive individuality.
Each person appears to be born the same. A tiny, screaming life. Utterly unable to exist alone. Yet throughout our lives we become different, we separate and diversify. Two very similar people can become total strangers. The next piece of the puzzle of identity, is the very process of living. To return to the clay analogy, life is the process which moulds us. It is the mad, schizophrenic sculptor, with our clay clasped tightly in his fevered grip. All the random events, the trauma, the joys and pleasures. Each one can be compared to a skilled stroke of his hands, leaving a new impression on us. But, over time, the clay begins to set. It becomes harder and harder to change, to set a new mark on the clay. Yet, not impossible. It is almost always possible for someone to change.
The last thing that changes us, is almost poetic. The people around us. Our friends and partners can have a deep and profound impact on us. After all, the more time you spend with someone, the more they rub off on you. The people we associate ourselves with can define us. Playing the delicate and complicated social game is the greatest, most rewarding challenge anyone will face. And as such, it leaves marks.
So, what is an identity? It is the act of being. It is the intangible qualities that make up a person. It's what makes you different from anyone and everyone you meet. It is the sum total of every decision you ever made, every word you ever said, and every cell of your body.
To conclude, I leave you with this.
Who do you think you are?
CH
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