Sock Puppets and Ego
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Everything Else
Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 08:31 AM)
So, in a fascinating discussion somewhere else on this site, a number of philosophical questions about sock puppetry have arisen that I think, you know, like they're really interesting. I think they're worth exploring as part of a group session.
Ok, so it goes something like this. I think.- Are you your sock?
So, you create this character. You have some fun with it, right? Then you discard it. You're done with that. Is that who you are, at the fundamental level? Who are you? Who are you really? - Are your socks you?
Are you represented by the sock? Does it speak for you? Like, is the sock an extension of your own ego, an expression of your subconscious? - Is there even a real you?
Who is the real us? No, really, think about it. We wear masks every day. Every damn day, all day. We're one person to a significant other, another to our children. We're somebody else entirely while we're at our jobs, right? Do we present the real us to strangers? Don't we always keep a little part of us back? How many people do you have in your life who know the real you? Do you even know the real you? It's like, wow, figure that one out and like, well, good luck with that.
- Are you your sock?
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Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 08:40 AM)
It's a title question. You'll see it makes sense as I unpack it.
So, OK, ignoring that question, if you're not comfortable with it. That's fine, like, no really. This isn't supposed to be an uncomfortable session. At all.
Would you like to share your thoughts on my first two questions? -
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Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 09:16 AM)
So, Ok, you want my definition? Let's see, how to put this… well, I guess it's easier to define it as "whichever accounts the user considers to not be the real them", right?
I mean, that's probably not exactly right, but I'm happy with it for now. -
Phaenon — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 09:45 AM)
- Is there even a real you?
I would suggest we start here and then work back to your first two questions Doc.
If we have an approximation of whatever someone considers themselves to be at any given moment of their life and then see which socks they choose to use to present the abstracts of those contemporary personality traits (Be it for self exploration, challenging societal norms or just what they consider to be trolling fun (Or projection as I call it)) we can apply a multivariance analysis of their adaption to either conform or be a trail blazer over time.
Now with so many famous people finding solace here (Such as Boris Johnson, Sir Trevor McDonald, Jared Kushner, Bruce Willis etc.) we might see a means of tipping anonymity away from free speech on the Internet or, and I hate to consider this, we have people posing as these real people as a means of subverting away from having honest discourse with one another.
Imagine, if you will, that your account here is not actually you but someone pretending to be you in order to ruffle some feathers, cause controversy or perhaps something as simple as bringing a smile to other posters' faces here.
Which brings me back to my quote from you at the beginning of this reply "Is there even a real you?"
Food for thought Doc and I hope your group session opens up many ideas and provides good and healthy reflection for those who partake in this potential vice or needed venting
Ding Dong
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- Is there even a real you?
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Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 18, 2021 11:26 PM)
Imagine, if you will, that your account here is not actually you
Yeah, well, that's just ridiculous.
Look, I read what you said. No, really. And I have to concur with much of it. I'd perhaps have some small disagreement with you on the idea that we are only who we feel ourselves to be in that, exact, moment. I mean, like, that's a hell of a proposition. It's like personality becomes a meaningless concept.
So, well, there's that. -
Phaenon — 4 years ago(April 19, 2021 07:31 AM)
Are you always hungry, tired or sexually aroused?
These base desires will influence who you are given how much value either of them has at any given time. This will affect your personality for those moments and satiating them will also alter who you present yourself to be immediately afterwards.
A lot of people fumble with having a personality around here and so I can see why it appeals to you to try some research here and get values and figures on what constitutes those who have been living in isolation for most of their lives and how they seek community in any form that they can find it
Again I wish you the best of luck with your group session Doc
Ding Dong
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Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 25, 2021 07:36 AM)
They may influence our mood, but they don't change our personality. Like, it's like I said before, right? If eating something can change our personality, then the concept of personality is meaningless. We wouldn't be so easily recognizable. It's a preposterous idea. Really bad. It's infantile, really.
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Phaenon — 4 years ago(April 25, 2021 09:08 AM)
I'm sure in some capacity as a clinical psychologist being able to diagnose someone as an anorexic or a wannarexic is an indicator of nonbiased objective professionalism.
Both of these disorders involve food and personal image which ultimately leads to what we consider to be a personality that we present, or don't, to the world.
By using food as a means to describe how people act, and why they have socks, we can see that there are a great many examples of food discussion being a central tenet across this boards history. From takeaway food to turkey unicorns, tea to Kentucky bourbon (I prefer Tennessee whiskey personally) you'll find it all on display around here. In fact the olfactory system and digestive system makes up for quite a lot of the repeat socking posters who can't maintain a distinct personality which is likeable enough not to go ignored instantly
So yes, pica disorders and proprioception are important indicators of motivation and that is the first step on the road to understanding what you care calling a "Personality".
Ding Dong
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Dr. Jordan B Peterson — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 09:14 AM)
Related, yes. But you're not bringing it into the discussion as an answer. You're acting it out.
Like, I wouldn't answer a question on motivation for murder, let's say, by killing the questioner. -
no context juan kerr — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 08:58 AM)
The odd thing is that I'm quite the fan of authority.
Problem being to have genuine authority you have to be a master of what you propose to be.
An ailing janitor of a board for discussion, that don't impress me much.
Her 'authority' is to make sure the toilet paper in the bathroom is replenished and she failed at that
I'm sure she wants attention, but ain't nobody worth their wear is going near that skank
And poor Jack too…
LOL. -
no context juan kerr — 4 years ago(April 17, 2021 09:04 AM)
I've read nothing worth replying to in earnest
I think that the ball has been in your court the entire time you've tried to have a go at me for this.
But it is bloody funny watching mongoloids telegraph in coordinated swings with the precision of a broken jumping Jack.
LOL.