This is just sort of an open-ended opinion poll. I would like you to take a moment, and reflect on that question. What answer comes first to mind? Your occupation? Something you do, or something you are—whether by birth, or by your own design?
Essentially, I’m interested what sort of categories people appeal to when reflecting on their own identity. Any answer is OK, from a single word to an essay—you don’t have to define your identity along a single dimension; if you’re a lover and a fighter, as well as a horticulturalist, then that’s a perfectly valid answer.
Me, I think I still tend to think of myself as mostly a scientist, even though I’m employed in a different field nowadays. But I still do research, and once in a while publish a little paper, and to me, that’s what I’m here for; my job is something I do, sometimes gladly, sometimes not so much, but also something I could easily do without.
I am the interior landscape of my mind, which either amuses me or tortures me depending on its mood. Ninety percent of the living I do, and therefore 90% of my existence, is in my own head. Some may find that sad, but I usually like it in here.
That is a flippant answer, a quote from The Princess Bride indeed, but I also think it’s true. As I age Iook back on a life of largely unimportant deeds, being overlooked, under-appreciated, and generally forgotten.
No, my occupation does not define me. I just happen to perform in a field of activity which, although it seems to both ensure a satisfactory revenue and fulfill my desire of permanent development, I happen to operate in due to a particular train of events.
Without going into details, what defines me is my inborn makeup, my experiences and my reactions to them (especially those that have formed my character), and my choices.
Well, I didn’t mean it in any kind of metaphysical sense. I was merely curious what sort of categories people would appeal to—something they do, something they like, values they hold, whatever.
Although the defensiveness is sort of interesting. It seemed a perfectly innocuous question to me, but of course, one can take it as a sort of challenge, a demand for justification—‘And who do you think you are?’—but that’s not what was intended.
Well, ‘scientist’ isn’t my occupation, either—and what I do for money also isn’t what defines me. But it’s, I think, what best describes what I’m for, in some sense.
Hmm, isn’t that a bit generic? It’s a bit like describing a building as defined by bricks, mortar, glass and steel—it’s undoubtedly what constitutes it, but if I were to ask, what’s that building?, getting ‘one made of brick, stone, and glass’ doesn’t really tell me much. Rather, I’d expect an answer along the lines of, the town hall, the local church, the birthplace of Roger Daltrey, what have you.
Well, it is generic and I thank you for your confirmation. Until now, no one has ever admitted that what I regard as what generically describes a person is one’s inborn makeup, one’s overall experiences and reactions to them, as well as one’s choices.
And now, to particularize, I will mention that A. I am a mildly choleric (in terms of psychological temperament) person for whom ACTION is the most important value (whose bonus may be creativity); B. (i) the turbulent family life of my childhood had caused me to praise REASON/SENSE/RATIONALITY the best; (ii) my propensity for rationally learning new things has caused me to prefer to gain power through mastering information and the ability to put it into practice; (iii) the fact that I had to start making ends meet when I was an adolescent has caused me to become a practical person (despite an inborn proclivity for idealism, universalism and “the big picture”), to be extremely goal oriented, and to eventually consider mastering practical skills superior to gaining theoretical knowledge; (iv) I live in a country where the majority of the population is Christian and although I’m an atheist my philosophy shares many values with the moral systems of the people around me; (v) my equilibrium and peace of mind depend largely on the well being and happiness of my family, whom I love with all my heart; and C. (i) I believe I have free will and I make my own choices; (ii) I choose not to be involved politically; (iii) I choose to focus on my family; (iv) I choose to think positive and to ignore negativity in general (negative news in particular); (v) I choose to lead a healthy life and to keep busy in a pleasurable way - I have a lot of hobbies (and maybe talents) and too little time to do them all.
I am not really sure right now. Until 16 days ago I was the senior lead technician at the largest fire alarm company in the area. I was the “go to” guy when the systems were not working correctly. I was the training technician, and pretty much at the top of my game.
Then I retired. I am currently working on a reinvention of myself.