Maybe it's just me, but I distinctly remember my freshman year in high school when the most uncool thing you could do was to try and define yourself or others. Everyone wanted to be different and unique, be it through style of clothes, taste in music, or the books you carried around to read for recreation.
Lately, though, it seems like people have been trying harder and harder to define themselves for others.
For instance, simply by glancing at my Facebook, one would find out that I am a Libertarian, I hate Fall Out Boy, I don't like Ben Stiller movies, my hair is cut quite short in a "hipster" style, and I steal all of my music and movies.
What happened to being pissed off when people assumed things about us? What happened to people demanding that people get to know them before making a judgment? What happened to wanting to meet both people who are like us and not like us?
Without attempting to sound better than others, I at least like to think that I attempt to attract diverse people. Of course, I like to have at least one thing in common with everyone, but otherwise, I like to broaden my horizons and find out about how other people live their lives.
I don't mean to belittle people who are proud of who they are - I'm proud of who I am. I want people to know all of those things listed above about me. But I don't want those things to define me and be a put off for some and a turn on for others. I want people to get to know me in depth.
So maybe it's time we dropped the protective likes and dislikes; the shield of superficial personality traits. Meet people and decide for yourself if they're your cup of tea or not. Maybe you'll find that the quirks and oddities about that person are what make you want to get to know them. Or maybe you'll find that the sound of their voice is enough to make you want to punch them in the face.
Either way, we shouldn't hide behind the bumper stickers we've created for ourselves. Don't make it easy for people to judge you. Intrigue them; give them just enough to make them wonder "What else is there to this person?"
"...give them just enough to make them wonder 'What else is there to this person?' "
I've done that for quite some time now, you see, I'm known as the quiet, shy girl; I'm also quite artistic, people have seen that, but not much else.
I know that people see my potential, but I haven't let myself out fully; and I really don't know why.
-Amanda-
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Interesting viewpoint. However, social networks such as facebook allows us to minimize the time it takes to find someone that isn't our cup of tea. It just makes the whole process easier.
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/weezyf
That's my point exactly though. The only thing Facebook tells someone is what you're like in terms of music, movies, and tv shows you like. A lot of my friends have nothing in common with me in terms of those things but the things that aren't found on Facebook are the things that make me want to be friends with them.
It kinda cuts out the opposite attraction that some people enjoy, and basically just is a program made for you to "profile" yourself. Thats not someting I really dislike in way of music though, that and theology are the 2 beliefs I like to share with people I'm around, just keeps things less annoying. Totally get where your comming from. Even upon trying to get to know you though, there wasn't much brought to the open besides age and name.. Didn't seem to hunger for the depth there, its ez to say you want someone to know you inside,(Listen to "UNKLE - Inside") but no ones really trying to be straight with eachother, we interact with such a large number of people in common ways in this populous world that we become kinda of routine with what we expose, thats what I try to get away from, thats why I fully voice everything that contributes to the product which is me. People are really nothing more than a product of their environment and the substances(if) they take. People aren't looking for depth or truths now adays, and to the few that still are, this world will be close to a hell until you die, unless you get lucky and opened.. Every day someone new proved theyre not willing to be anything more than their shell, ceases to amaze me.
You make no choices, only perceive a given reality.
Potentiate the kinetic energy you bare for your short lifespan(big picture wise). Try to get to know someone and enjoy your time with someone that can understand you, as thats all you'll learn you really want and need. A view that adds to and understand yours, a co-pilot.
I use facebook exclusively for keeping in touch with people I already know, for the exact reasons you state above. I can't tell from a profile if we will get along. That's an interpersonal chemistry issue that can only be assessed face to face.
Oh, and I also use it for Scrabulous, because it's awesome. But that is neither here nor there in terms of your blog. Just a plug for Scrabulous.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman