Hey

[Mistercreeps]

Hey guy's how is everyone doing lately? It's been awhile since I have been on, but I'm in the greatest quest of my life atm. I was asked at a job interview why I am the person I am. At first I thought it a strange question. Now though I think of that question often. What made me the person I am today? I keep tring to answer that question and yet I can find no answer. I would say my parents had alot to do with it but I was pretty much alone after the age of 7. I know I get my strength and determination from my mom. Though the rest of it is a mystery.

I can't figure out why I like dressing like I do.

I can't figure out why I like the music I like.

When I think about it I'm not sure why I am the person I am.

I got the job though from telling the interviewer I am the person I am because I choose to be that person. I was told that that was the only answer that was unique. They told me that almost everyone else said because that's who they are.

Yet I still wonder why I am who I am.

Only answer I can find so far is because I choose to but for me that doesn't answer the question at hand. There is a reason for it and yet I can't for the life of me figure it out.

So why are you who you are?

I realize after so long that there may be no answer that will truely answer that question. What do you have to say on it though?

P.S. Wasn't sure where to put this post at. Don't really fit in any of the other forum spots.

[paradox]

im am a byproduct of my unique genetic composition and process acculturation into the society in which i live.

[bean]

When I;m not so drunk and depressed, I will answer this question, even though no one will read it beacuse I suck.

[Msterbeau]

I read it. You don't suck.

[Guest Game of Chance]

im am a byproduct of my unique genetic composition and process acculturation into the society in which i live.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good answer.

[Steven]

this is a very important topic for discussion - and I'm quite sure that the opinions on this will vary greatly.

First of all - GREAT question from your interviewer.

In addition to general skill-sets that any prospective employer is seeking - there is the equal importance of synergy within the workplace. In order to nurture that synergy you need certain types of individuals who can flow. Thus the human element is always at the core.

Not everyone beleives this.

Many linear thinkers see only data - accomplishment - capapbility on paper, this is the language they speak.

Other types, specifically managerial and team leaders - notice certain inherint dynamics to a persons unique make-up, ie: do they have the "right stuff" inside?

I personally beleive that one of the greatest tragedies we are experiencing as a growing trend - is this inability to be able to articulate to others - and to ourselves even - specifically who we are, why we are, and what we are. And in so doing we often de-value this as a real need. To quote Paradox we use words like "Genetics", and "Artriculation", or "Environment"... all of which are pages of our story, yet fail to conclude in an actual identity.

We seem to have lost the beleif that this is even important anymore - instead we are simply worker bees and escapsists and consumers, and even our rebel sub cultures (like Goths???) can easily tell you what they hate and are escaping from - yet struggle to tell you where they are going.

The tragedy in this is that life inevitably comes calling.

As the things we've attatched ourselves to begin to disintegrate, or betray, we find that in our dreadful mortality ....

We get older.

We get tested.

We get broken.

We get lost.

All things whirl around us at breakneck speed and as we are engulfed in it we have little to fall back on when we lose our sense of self. Or, we simply discover that we never really HAD any true sense of self. We instead had our agendas. And we had our emotianal crutches and weaknesses. And hopefully the love of others.

But that's not enough.

I hope you find your answers Mr Creeps.

More importantly - I hope you commit to searching them out.

Steven

[Homicidalheathen]

I hate those dumb ass questions in interviews. Like the employer is trying to get inside your head to see what kind of person you are.....if your a 'fit'. What difference does it make? If you do the job well it is none of their buisness what your mindset is like.

We are all a product of our own evolution, our experiences help shape us. Duh.

[Steven]

Good answer.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and a very "safe" answer, non-threatening, in and out, and your done....moving on now, always moving on.....

.... we love our comfort levels.

But they betray in the end.

Steven

[Steven]

I hate those dumb ass questions in interviews.  Like the employer is trying to get inside your head to see what kind of person you are.....if your a 'fit'.  What difference does it make?  If you do the job well it is none of their buisness what your mindset is like.

We are all a product of our own evolution, our experiences help shape us.  Duh.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it can be argued that how well you do the job is also based on how well you "fit" and what yoru mindset is like....

Steven

[Guest Game of Chance]

and a very "safe" answer, non-threatening, in and out, and your done....moving on now, always moving on.....

.... we love our comfort levels.

But they betray in the end.

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't think its a "safe" answer so much as a scientific one.

Dude, I think you're great, but leave it to you to bring new-age spirituality into a very simple question.

[Guest Game of Chance]

it can be argued that how well you do the job is also based on how well you "fit" and what yoru mindset is like....

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Or it could be some bullshit unproven psychoanalysis. One or the other. =)

[Steven]

I don't think its a "safe" answer so much as a scientific one.

Dude, I think you're great, but leave it to you to bring new-age spirituality into a very simple question.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

New Age spirituality?

I had no idea that I was so deep (ha ha).

This is just the way I think Dude....can't really help it, I process life very much the way I speak...

and I'm obviously not the linear thinker I was talking about .....so the whole "scientific" conclusion to a question that I beleive is definately NOT simple just doesent click with me. To me its evasive to so succicently blurt out a generic conclusion and then shelve the topic. That just doesent feel honest to me..

but hey - that's just me.

I knew this topic would become interesting....

Steven

[Steven]

Or it could be some bullshit unproven psychoanalysis.  One or the other.  =)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Could be real life too.

I'm a team leader at work - and in other social circles in my personal life. I have no college degree or psychological framework to draw from.

But I DO look for certain things in people, and I do know that (group) success varies based on the value systems of the participants - all of them.

(I want the best guys on my team....)

Steven

[Guest Game of Chance]

New Age spirituality?

I had no idea that I was so deep (ha ha).

This is just the way I think Dude....can't really help it, I process life very much the way I speak...

and I'm obviously not the linear thinker I was talking about .....so the whole "scientific" conclusion to a question that I beleive is definately NOT simple just doesent click with me.  To me its evasive to so succicently blurt out a generic conclusion and then shelve the topic.  That just doesent feel honest to me..

but hey - that's just me.

I knew this topic would become interesting....

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I totally want to get into this. This is one of my very favorite topics of conversation. I'll break down the scientific approach, however, I'm about to leave town for a couple of days with very little access to the internet. I'll revisit this when I get back. Promise.

[Steven]

I totally want to get into this.  This is one of my very favorite topics of conversation.  I'll break down the scientific approach, however, I'm about to leave town for a couple of days with very little access to the internet.  I'll revisit this when I get back.  Promise.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool.

Im going to be in Pennsylvania all this week for work - but I'll get back to you once I'm able to get home.

Steven

[unchaste]

im am a byproduct of my unique genetic composition and process acculturation into the society in which i live.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hey, me too.

[Scary Guy]

I'm me, at least for the moment.

People change though, I just had this discussion in an LJ post.

People are made of many things, that shape and define who they are. Who you are and what influinces you are the two major factors.

I may change in my appearamce or conform a little bit in order to survive, but deep down I'll probably always be the way I am, at least until I go further insane.

[Brenda Starrr]

I love it! You are who you choose to be!

That's exactly how I feel. I can be anything I want, but I like being me. I set the standard for my day. No one else can do that. I make my own style instead of following all the trends. I listen to the music that I like according to my moods. It all depends on the day, and I like the fact that I'm in control of that. Not some man, or my boss, etc. ME.

You did a great job, mistercreeps! Congrats!

[DarkVampire]

I'm a vampire.

[Fierce Critter]

"I yam what I yam" - Popeye

[Steven]

"I yam what I yam" - Popeye

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and what am you?

[Guest Game of Chance]

This topic brings to mind the Eight-Circuit Model of Conciousness derived originally by Dr. Timothy Leary and later expounded on by Robert Anton Wilson. These circuits develop over the course of time - from birth to death, and with some significant practice can change imprints. The first 4 are the ones that are used by all of mankind, without any further deliberate development.

The first 3 are the ones that I'll make mention of today, I may add the rest later.

They are as follows:

1. The Oral Bio-Survival Circuit - Any multi-cellular organism must, if it is to survive, contain a hard-wired bio-survival circuit, which very simply programs an either-or choice: GO FORWARD to the nourishing, the protective, or GO BACK, away from the threatening, the predatory.

2. The Anal Emotional Territorial Circuit - The second circuit, the anal emotional territorial circuit of the brain can be easily observed in any litter of puppies. It is very quickly determined who is TOP DOG, and who is BOTTOM DOG.

3. The Time Bending Semantic Circuit - It is this circuit in particular that I think the original poster is referring to. The third, semantic circuit handles artifacts and makes a "map" (reality-tunnel) which can be passed on to others, even across generations. These "maps" may be paintings, as in illustrations, or words, concepts, theories, music, etc.

The first two circuits allows to divide things, The Bio-Survival circuit into nourishing vs. threatening and the Emotional Territorial circuit into that which is stronger vs. that which is weaker than me.

The third circuit allows us to sub-divide things and reconnect at pleasure. There is no end to the busy-busy-busy packaging of experience. On the personal level, this is the "internal monologue" as described by Joyce in Ulysses.

The point is, these are ideas, concepts that are imprinted on the brain by a combination of genetics and personal experience. Or as Pardox put it, I am a byproduct of my unique genetic composition and process acculturation into the society in which i live.

Source: Prometheus Rising, Robert Anton Wilson

[Steven]

Quick question Steve - share with me if you will within the context of what you just posted here - how does change enter into this theory?

Can change take place?

Is it relevent - is it real?

These hardwired circuits - are they set for life?

Steven

[Guest Game of Chance]

Quick question Steve - share with me if you will within the context of what you just posted here - how does change enter into this theory?

Can change take place?

Is it relevent - is it real?

These hardwired circuits - are they set for life?

Steven

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes. Brain change takes place all of the time. Relevant real change. But in the first two circuits (since they are really unconcious imprints), it requires either therapy, hallucinogens, serious trauma, or all of the above.

The third circuit, as you are constantly dividing and classifying ideas, occurs on a regular basis with no concious or Unconcious change required.

Unless significant and/or repeated brain change happens, yes, they are set for life.

Check out Prometheus Rising, it may be the best book I've ever read.