i just need to get it all out of my system before the quarter starts for real.
on that note, the following is an exhaustive list of my current pet peeves:
1. profiling
i've recently concluded that we, as americans (at least), are incapable of accepting the phenomena of individuality. we must categorize, and we make countless excuses to do so.
i was recently subjected to an impromptu jung-myers-briggs personality test. the results say that i'm an infj and leave no space for a combination of isfj, intj, or entj characteristics (not to mention the various other combinations of e/i, n/s, t/f, or j/p). from a test like this someone can, apparently, tell me what i'm best suited to do and like in life. all that from four simple questions. so, thanks to the test, it is concluded that i'm fit to be a counselor. go figure. and i fit into a short synopsis on a website. here's me: http://typelogic.com/infj.html.
can i, or anyone, really be figured out that easily - and, if not, why must these sorts of quizzes exist? what larger purpose to they serve? are tests like this meant to benefit the test-taker or those who interact with him or her? in other words, do these tests offer the test-taker some sort of comfort in the sense that, 'hey, you aren't alone. look it, you are exactly like this kind of person. you're normal.' or is it for the friends of the test-taker to understand how to best interact with this aformentioned friend.
i'm also quite offended when, upon meeting me, people i have NEVER met react wide-eyed and say something similar to (and i quote) 'oh, caitlin, you're the one that smashed herself.' to which i must respond, 'yep, that's me. i'm doing much better, thank you. happy new year. what's your name?' i think i've proven that these sorts of injuries do not have to be an eternal crutch. yet, it seems i've found another use for categorization: limitation. by placing people into an understood and unquestioned group, it is possible to associate a list of predetermined limitations to them - rather than to take each case as an individual one. which, granted, might take a bit more empathy or compassion in order to allow the time to ask individualized questions and get to know strangers. i am aware, however, that this may be too taxing of a task for some. if that is the case, please do others the kind favor of keeping your small talk focused on the weather and specifically directed away from any vaguely personal topic.
this all leads to a rant that's been forming about profiling. just because someone looks a certain way, acts a certain way, or hangs out with certain people DOES NOT mean that he or she fit any sort of mold. again, stop trying to categorize. let people just be who they are - don't scare them into being someone that they, for all intents and purposes, resemble. cherish individuality - to its fullest - not only to the point where it is uncomfortable because you are unsure how to properly interact. i know it's a radical concept. let it digest. then think about how you act versus how you are perceived and whether or not you work to maintain some sort of perceivable image. then ask yourself why. i'd love to hear your thoughts.
2. when people write the word your when what they really mean is you're (i.e. you are).
3. when there is no other traffic around, yet my light is red and i only want to make a left hand turn.
4. drafty windows.
thanks for reading and here's to a productive quarter. if my calculations are correct, i will write what should total nearly 150 pages in the next 10 weeks. awesome.
