Who are you?

[Goris]

Why is it so hard for people to say who they really are? Whenever someone is asked to say who they are, they never can get the right words, or discriptions to describe themself beyond their appearance and name. Even myself. I guess you could say that no one knows who they are, or that they simply wear a mask that even blinds themself. Is your own identity really that much different than anyone else if everyone's true self is shrouded in shadows? Do you even have an identity if you can't really tell who you are? What makes you you if no one's identity is a tangible thing? What is an identity anyway? What do you think? Discuss.

[Santuli]

Well, people don't usually go on an hour-long discussion about who they are when they're asked to describe themselves. If you know your identity, its not as simple as saying a half dozen words and you're done. Also, its intimate. Most people prefer to share that much about themselves if there's intimacy with the person they're talking to.

Anyway, keeping your identity under wraps doesn't mean its not there, nor that it makes it similar to others'. Either way, identity isn't carved in stone. It changes. At some point you dont really have one. Or at least you wouldn't be old enough to understand yourself to that level. As I learned it, its your conception of self with a set of values, goals, ideals, etc. So if you're too young to think about that, then maybe you dont have an identity.

Identity is PART of what makes you, you. But not all of it.
Its hard when you're at a crisis, and you don't really know who you actually are, and are trying to figure out who you want to be. But most people eventually...find themselves...

[Goris]

Well, people don't usually go on an hour-long discussion about who they are when they're asked to describe themselves. If you know your identity, its not as simple as saying a half dozen words and you're done. Also, its intimate. Most people prefer to share that much about themselves if there's intimacy with the person they're talking to.

Anyway, keeping your identity under wraps doesn't mean its not there, nor that it makes it similar to others'.

I didn't literally mean that you can't explain who you are when asked by someone else, I meant in your own head.

Also, I don't mean keeping your identity under wraps, I mean not thinking about it at all. I doubt many people really take any time to think who they are, they're just themself. And since everyone seems to have this identity that they can't recognize, that would make people alike in some way. I still have one question left, though. Is your identity who you think you are or how others think you are? Is there a different "you" with in everyone elses mind, or that just reputation? Is reputation different than identity?

[Santuli]

You doubt it, but its something everyone does in life, think about who they are. Like I said, they might not talk about it to anyone, so for all you know, they don't. But its part of life trying to figure out who you are and who you want to be. I've studied this stuff for the age group it applies. Obviously not in depth, I'm not a psychology major, but enough to know the basic

In other words, no, not everyone thinks about this at any time of their lives. Usually during your late teens, when you realize you have big decisions to make for your future, that's when one really starts considering their identity.

Is identity who you think you are? Yes, it is. Considering its a conception of yourself. I guess sometimes you cant quite come to grasps with it, but I think thats probably more in adolescence, when its common for someone to be trying to figure themselves out. Eventually you do know.
How others see you isn't identity. I dont know what you wanna call it, but its not identity. Is reputation the same? Of course not. A big clue...they're two different, non-synonymous words

I'm curious as to how you'd define identity though.

[Fiend Kraken III]

This discussion about identity reminds me of the Persona games :]

Anyway I agree that identity is only a part of who you are as opposed to an absolute definition. The rest of who you are is largely defined by your relationships with others, and I think this is a key reason behind why people naturally seek to form bonds with each other; it's in order to define themselves and find purpose. Modern culture contradicts itself in this regard; people are obsessed with defining and labeling themselves - which ultimately leads to stereotyping and loss of identity - yet this obsession is essentially an attempt to obtain a unique identity and stand out.

[Santuli]

Personality too. Very separate from identity. Genes too. No one has the same exact set as someone else. But I think we're not talking about physical stuff.

[Wind]

Oh lawd, I thought this was gonna be a thread talking about our real names, and who we are in REAL LIFE, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Goris]

I'm curious as to how you'd define identity though.

Yes, yes, I'm so sure you are. *rolls eyes* Probably just to try to guess my age as I've not yet specified what it is on my profile, I presume. Correct? Anyway, I define Identity as the type of mind set or, way of thinking one has. Basically your personality. Because, really, with out a personality, everyone would be the same, not counting physical features. Then, all you'd have to identify yourself is your face.

[Dr. Demento]

Oh lawd, I thought this was gonna be a thread talking about our real names, and who we are in REAL LIFE, WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Reintroduce yourself in the welcoming thread

@Smith:
I don't think Personality=Identity, really... Identity is how you perceive yourself, Personality is the values, behaviors and general rules you go by.

[Santuli]

I'm curious as to how you'd define identity though.

Yes, yes, I'm so sure you are. *rolls eyes* Probably just to try to guess my age as I've not yet specified what it is on my profile, I presume. Correct?

Hahahahhahaha, well I thought it would give a clue about your age and it would be one of the perks about asking that. Buuuuut no, I was actually curious! C'mon! I mean, if I hadn't asked we couldn't really move on in the discussion.


But what you describe identity as, I see as personality. You more closely defined personality in your description of identity, while Demento better defined identity

Values aren't part of personality, because those change...and are actually part of identity. Your identity reflects your beliefs, values, and goals in life. Personality reflects consistent behavior, temperament, emotions, and way of thinking. Personality is unique, its that blend of the things I just listed

[Goris]

I'm curious as to how you'd define identity though.

Yes, yes, I'm so sure you are. *rolls eyes* Probably just to try to guess my age as I've not yet specified what it is on my profile, I presume. Correct?

Hahahahhahaha, well I thought it would give a clue about your age and it would be one of the perks about asking that. Buuuuut no, I was actually curious! C'mon! I mean, if I hadn't asked we couldn't really move on in the discussion.

Just kidding.  Though, I'm suprised that you didn't already guess my age.

Anyway, just forget about the definition I gave, I was on a hurry to finish something else, and kinda scrambled my thoughts.

What I define Identity as is the person you see yourself as, or how you would define yourself beyond physical traits or features. Sorry I'm screwing up my posts, I'm just not all that great right now and I'm about to collapse from sleepiness.

I see those discussion starter questions I sprinkled in in my first couple of posts didn't really work all that much.

[Darthus]

I love this thread.  I gave karma's to many people.

Has anyone studied psychology?  This is sorta like the old Nature vs. Nurture debate.  For people who don't know that, it's as simple as it sounds.  How much of a person is made from his/her biology, and how much is made from his/her environment/relationships.

Many of our personality traits are biological, many are made from nurture, and most are made from both.

As you can see, until we grow cognitively enough, we really have no control over our actions; biology and our environment dictate how we react.  However around the teenage years the limbic system grows faster than normal, which allows for us to think morally and rationally/emotionally about everything much better.  That's why teenagers are known for rebelling, because at this stage they can cognitively choose their own path, they can define themselves!

Thank you for opening this thread, OP.

[Keaton]

I am me, and it doesn't matter how others perceive me. I wont change.

[Santuli]

Actually you might change...its very likely you will. Some part of you will.


What Darth said, although that's not the only reason why teenagers are known to be rebellious, but it is a pretty damn big one.

[The Brignad]

I think a big reason why teenagers can be rebellious is that their minds are so active, they just make decisions rashly. They can rebel just because they don't like something without even thinking about it.

[Metalluminated]

Who am I?

I'm Batman.

Tell you're friends about me.

[Komodo_Zero]

Who am I?

I'm Batman.

Tell you're friends about me.

You earned yourself some karma my friend.

[The Brignad]

What, are you dense? Are you retarded or something? Who the hell do you think I am?
I'm the goddamn Hylian_Pirate.

[Dr. Demento]

Somewhere, Dan is cringing and crying.

[Goris]

And you complain about me being off topic! This is a freaking extended discussion topic and your off topic!