7 ms·

Very interesting reflection on identity in the modern world as it relates to family, fame, and trajedy. I have to say that the situation does feel very familiar

Very interesting reflection on identity in the modern world as it relates to family, fame, and trajedy. I have to say that the situation does feel very familiar to me based on some other readings and historical examples. I'll explain. The most prominent correlative is with respect to Hunter S. Thompson. He created Raoul Duke as a character, and Gonzo Journalism as the method by which to report and embellish/comment on the world. I view it very much as a 'persona' and, in my opinion, most all highly intelligent individuals - especially those in the public eye - must have one (or quickly develop one) in order to cope with the needs of being self-confident to carry forward with beliefs and goals and values, yet also be able to "put down the microphone" and live a wholesome, personal life. This is the elements of celebrity and notariety that are weaved into the essay, and it's very touching to see the care expressed toward himself, his brother, and trying to understand and work through the behavior of outsiders. Aaron, from what I saw and recall, had a very prominent persona. It's pretty much 'immortality' in the Achilles sense. To me, and this is just from one musician and writer who has embraced using pen names and personas for years, this article is very useful to give some thought and consideration to how, generally speaking, US society and culture has decided to value 'authenticity' and 'transparency' to the point of being a little bit intrusive. I'm possibly under-stating it, but I also don't want to get too far away from what the essay is conveying to me. It's an affirmation of a perspective I formed and was guided to form as a youth in the arts: Notariety, whatever its source, has significant baggage. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31hV_BPFf0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r31hV_BPFf0

Retric 11y ago
There is for lack of a better term a profound weakness of identity that's really common today. I think it stems from people having mostly superficial relationships. Where if you grew up in a small tight knit community people make reference to things you said or did at really young ages (4-8) which you can't really escape from, but at the same time there is no need to. Because, in some ways your still that person, or perhaps that person became you. But, move out into the world and people are judging you on what breaks down to reputation and at most few hours of interactions. Which makes it easy to pretend to be someone else. That's not to say it's purely a bad thing. When people identify strongly with a group it's easy to lump 'others' into a meaningless category and then do bad things. Still, being able to ignore someone you just met's option as worthless is arguably a valuable skill.
JohnBooty 11y ago
in my opinion, most all highly intelligent individuals - especially those in the public eye - must have one I think I understand this. I used to run a small but active online community. So not fame at all, not even "guy in a tiny band that has 15 people show up for their shows" famous. Less than that even. But sometimes I'd go to parties and people would know who I was and I didn't know them. That kind of thing. And I did start to develop a hint of a persona. Like you say it was kind of a must. Having strangers that know who you are coming up and talking to you is definitely flattering and also definitely a bit intimidating so you quickly develop a... a mode you go into or something. Not a calculated Raoul Duke thing at all. In my case it was more like the different "personas" any person has - the personality you wear at work vs. the one you wear around your parents vs. the one you wear around your significant others. I was always being myself, but you definitely calibrate yourself a little differently for different groups.
- jamiepenney 11y ago
  I've often felt a bit abnormal for doing this. I guess I only ever see each person in one mode, so I had no idea if other people do it or not. Nice to know at least some other people do.
  - JohnBooty 11y ago
    Yeah, totally normal, I think. I think that's just basic social mammal stuff - you calibrate your actions to your social surroundings. I mean even our dog has totally separate personalities when he's around us at home versus how he acts around other dogs. And it's not even the same personality for each of the other dogs - some dogs have calming effects on him, some make him hyperactive.
    - 6stringmerc 11y ago
      In the way you responded and described your experience, I think the term I should've included, at least from an academic basis, is that of "code switching" because it's a pretty interesting concept to me. The big key was the 'work' versus 'home' concept of self. It's totally reasonable to want to compartmentalize, I think it's pretty ingrained in our species, so talking about it as a fact of life is pretty useful.

Retric 11y ago

There is for lack of a better term a profound weakness of identity that's really common today. I think it stems from people having mostly superficial relationships. Where if you grew up in a small tight knit community people make reference to things you said or did at really young ages (4-8) which you can't really escape from, but at the same time there is no need to. Because, in some ways your still that person, or perhaps that person became you. But, move out into the world and people are judging you on what breaks down to reputation and at most few hours of interactions. Which makes it easy to pretend to be someone else. That's not to say it's purely a bad thing. When people identify strongly with a group it's easy to lump 'others' into a meaningless category and then do bad things. Still, being able to ignore someone you just met's option as worthless is arguably a valuable skill.

JohnBooty 11y ago

in my opinion, most all highly intelligent individuals - especially those in the public eye - must have one I think I understand this. I used to run a small but active online community. So not fame at all, not even "guy in a tiny band that has 15 people show up for their shows" famous. Less than that even. But sometimes I'd go to parties and people would know who I was and I didn't know them. That kind of thing. And I did start to develop a hint of a persona. Like you say it was kind of a must. Having strangers that know who you are coming up and talking to you is definitely flattering and also definitely a bit intimidating so you quickly develop a... a mode you go into or something. Not a calculated Raoul Duke thing at all. In my case it was more like the different "personas" any person has - the personality you wear at work vs. the one you wear around your parents vs. the one you wear around your significant others. I was always being myself, but you definitely calibrate yourself a little differently for different groups.

jamiepenney 11y ago
I've often felt a bit abnormal for doing this. I guess I only ever see each person in one mode, so I had no idea if other people do it or not. Nice to know at least some other people do.
- JohnBooty 11y ago
  Yeah, totally normal, I think. I think that's just basic social mammal stuff - you calibrate your actions to your social surroundings. I mean even our dog has totally separate personalities when he's around us at home versus how he acts around other dogs. And it's not even the same personality for each of the other dogs - some dogs have calming effects on him, some make him hyperactive.
  - 6stringmerc 11y ago
    In the way you responded and described your experience, I think the term I should've included, at least from an academic basis, is that of "code switching" because it's a pretty interesting concept to me. The big key was the 'work' versus 'home' concept of self. It's totally reasonable to want to compartmentalize, I think it's pretty ingrained in our species, so talking about it as a fact of life is pretty useful.