tritium

Maybe this belongs in Tilted Philosophy, or possibly Titled Nonsense, then again, maybe Tilted Living ... dunno ... anyway...

I got to thinking earlier today about how a person sees himself. As a metacognitive process, how does a person view themself? Since the human brain works on the basis of symbols, I got to thinking about what symbols I might identify myself with... I wonder if there are any universal symbols?

If I was an animal, what would I be?
If I were an tool or some other sort of instrument, what would I be?
What color am I? (read: not skin tone)
When you picture yourself mentally, what are you doing? (standing, sitting, laughing?)

More importantly, why do we think that about ourselves?


I think I'm a grizzley bear... for some reason that image comes to mind, but I don't know why. It could be that I see parallels in the bear's personality within my own -- usually quiet and marrauding, but powerful and loud when angry? Could it be the size of the bear and my size? Not sure...

I think I'm a Norman shield... (still trying to figure out why) -- I also think I'm the color red (possibly for the red cross on the shield)?

What symbols to you use to describe yourself? Why do you think that you use them? I used the above 3 items, as they came to mind quickly, but I'd be open to hearing about other symbols -- might strike a chord in me, or someone else reading this thread.

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Blah.

ARTelevision

I always think of myself as an animal.

I'm also somewhat aware that I am a human animal.

The human part is problematic, of course. The animal part, I like and understand quite well.

I find it easy to comprehend my nature as an animal. And I find it very difficult to conceive of myself as other than an animal - which is implied by a human/animal dichotomy.


Far as I'm concerned we're animals - with problems that other animals don't have.

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World's King

Animal - Monkey

Tool or other Insturment - Cocktail Shaker

Color - Clear

Mental Picture - I alwasy picture myself on stage with a mic in my hand screaming. I don't know why. I'm not really a singer. It's either that or I can see myself creeping down a dark hallway with a gun in each hand. It'd be all movie style with some badass music in the backround.

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Trisk

If I were an animal I would be a horse. I've always been fascinated with them since I was a little girl. Why would I be a horse? They have wild, free spirits and minds of their own - they are content to wander about by themselves but at times they will follow their herd as well. They are strong, beautiful, and graceful creatures. They can be stubborn or strong-willed but the right person can "tame" them to an extent. The wrong person, however, can ruin a horse - break his spirit and turn him into a draft horse (which, basically, are good for nothing but carrying crap around).

You know...I really can't think of a tool or instrument I'd be. I just don't like to think of myself as some type of tool. Tools are made to be used by people. I don't want to be someone's tool.

What color am I? Hmm...well I'd like to say orange because I feel like it's a bright color that speaks of potential and cynicism/pain at the same time (red and yellow mixed together)...it can be fun but it can also be seen in a fire.
I tend to switch off between a healthy optimism and a depressing cynicism. I've also had some really hard crap in my past (the red) that I've sort of overcome to get to where I am today (the bright potential of yellow).....lol I feel like such a dork saying this.

When I picture myself mentally, I guess I see myself in a sort of pensive state.

ARTelevision

As for what tool I picture myself as being represented by - it has always been one of the 6 simple machines - pulley, wheel and axle, inclined plane, lever, screw, and wedge. Why? Because they multiply energy by the intelligent application of force.

My color is the color of a cloudless daytime sky.

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thebeat

I would be a ferret, cause im exotic and furry

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random

Untitled

I think I'd be a fish. I adore swimming, and just being around water in general. I think I drink enough to keep Evian in business. Plus, I'm a pretty silent/quiet person. You don't ever hear a loud fish...

OFKU0

Funny you should say that. When I first read Hermann Hesse's 'Steppenwolf,' which was written almost 40 years before I was born, I could have sworn that book was written about and for me. The man and the animal. Good versus evil. Diligence and temptation. Still haven't calmed the beast or have become astute to my(self).

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" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

Nefir

Definitely a dolphin. I definitely have that playful, affectionate quality, but sometimes do feel like I'm just one insignificant mammal swimming in a vast, dark ocean full of danger and potential. Plus that whole voluntary breathing thing is just cool.

I hate to say it, but I'd probably be a computer - for a long time, I have been defined by my work as an all-around web monkey, and only recently have I begun to break out of this mindset. My goal is so that if this question was asked of me in a few months, I'd be able to say "a camera".

#006699 (its the web monkey talking again...)

Fighting magical beasts, casting devasting spells, and being an all-around impressive cinematic sight

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Carno

I can't really picture myself as an animal. I know which animal I would want to be, but I don't see myself as that animal.

When I think of myself, I picture me looking down, with rage building inside me until I look straight up, flex my muscles and simultaneously turn into a demon and burst into flames.

I don't know why I see myself as that.. I guess deep down I'm a rager.

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DelayedReaction

Animal? Tiger. No idea why, but that's what pops up.

Tool? A milling machine. Universally capable of fabricating anything when used properly.

Color? Aquamarine. It's just what pops up in my head, and I like to go with my first impulse.

When I picture myself mentally, I see myself warm and happy. I'm lying in a bed, and someone I care truly and deeply about is in my arms as I hug her from behind. Yes, it's that vivid.

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If ignorance is bliss, you must be having an orgasm.

hilbert25

Animal: Definitely Coyote. Cowardly, weak, but a survivor. Really clever, but dumb enough to argue with a rock and lose. Not to mention, if I ever chased a roadrunner, I'd put money on me somehow falling off a cliff with an anvil dropping on my head.

Reese

If I were an animal... I'd be a Gorilla

If I were a Tool... I'd be a Screwdriver.

My color would be green.

I picture myself layed back taking it easy.


And of course the hardest question of all. Why do I think that about myself.

I think a Gorilla is a pretty kind animal. They are smart and active animals which is why I compare them with myself.

I said screwdriver because I'm pretty useful even doing things that aren't necessarily my speciality, but I tend to wonder off if you don't keep up with me. I tend to show up moments just moments after a job gets finished. I swear I hear something similar to"Where were you 5 minutes ago when I was moving this furniture?" at least twice a week. It's completely unintentional.

My color is hardest for me to explain. It's funny, green isn't really my favorite color but green is peaceful and lively. It's me, and what I want to be.

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anitra

i dream alot about mountain lions and bears. i have these dreams often. i believe in totem animals. when i see myself as an animal though i think of a large bird like a hawk, soaring above everything, observing but separate.

as a tool i would be a potter's wheel, not the electric type but a kick type. i love the feel of the motion of a kick wheel.

color is hard, i can relate to many colors for different sides of myself. i think i'll say the color of new leaves in spring, when they first bud out.

i see myself as an observer again. i like to watch people, see how they function and wait for them to finally get it.

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i'm a monkey just swingin through the trees

Bentley Little

Animal: A Skunk. Not because I stink, but because if you leave me alone, I will not bother you; start pissing me off, you will end up regretting it big time.

Tool: A Gun. Intrinsically a gun by itself is not in harmful. But when used for the right purpose, can be deadly.

Color: Orange. Goes against the first two, but I am very strong-willed and you don't see much orange except on people who are bold in their choices.

Mentally: Orgy. With many fine beautiful women.

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That is my 2 cents.

tritium

I don't want to stop people from throwing their answers out there, but I'm also curious about one detail.

As far as the color you choose goes, do you think that subconsciously you bring that color around you more often than others? That you might have an attraction to wear a particular color, because you mentally see yourself in/as that color? I ask, because, I just caught myself wearing another red shirt (my color). I think I've worn a red shirt 3 days this past week (or a shirt with red prominently featured).

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Blah.

Bentley Little

I love the color orange, and I have several shirts that are mostly orange. They are some of my favorite shirts. But I don't wear them too much. Does that mean anything? I don't like orange in many things, (like orange would not be a good color for say electonics casings, or telephones, but would love an orange car. Go figure.

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That is my 2 cents.

lurkette

I'd be either a brushtail possum or a cuscus . I saw one episode of the Crocodile Hunter where one of these critters - I'm not sure which kind, the cuscus or the possum - was sitting in a tree, and Steve Irwin crept up and stood underneath it and gave it bits of banana. It sat there very calmly, slowly taking the banana and eating it, and if Steve looked at it or moved or got too close it would hiss and WHACK him. But it was happy to take the bananas. I don't know much more about the critters, but that seems like me: sweet, cute, solitary, usually pretty calm, but if I feel threatened I'll lash out, not necessarily to hurt anyone but just so they know I can.

Duct tape. I can fix anything!

Purple. No question.

Floating.

I'm a floating purple cuscus wrapped in duct tape.

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Blonddie

I would be a horse-- like them I form attachments to certain people, but at the same time will shy away easily and have that flight instinct. Unless you know about horses they can be intimidating, but at the same time people seem drawn to them.
Color would be blue--Dark blue.
can't think of a tool or instrument right now.

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unoaman

I'd probably be a dolphin, wouldn't it be great to expericence a completely different form of intelligence?

I would be a "Binford Skill Saw", so that blonde on "Tool Time" would carry me around between her breasts.

People that really know me would agree...Uno would be clear.

My preference by far would be laying down, laughing...

Trisk

I think I do, but it's not subconcious. I really just like the color orange. I have a few orange shirts, a pair of orange pants, orange nail polish and a skirt with some orange designs on it

anitra

i really don't like the color green except when i see it outside. i don't own anything green. my favorite color is black.

i guess i picked green because of the newness of that color, the hope, the anticipation.

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i'm a monkey just swingin through the trees

The Prophet

Animal?

An Eagle, for certain. Soaring, majestic and beautiful in appearance, while in reality nothing more than a big ol' scavenger.

Tool?

A Leatherman. Versatile and useful.

And color?

That would depend entirely on the day.
Somedays black. Somedays blue.
And somedays. . .

Black and Blue!

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KellyC

Animal: a sloth. I'm very slow, patient, easy going. I don't rush into things (much) nor do I feel the need to.

Tool: a hammer, it can build as well as destroy things...easily.

Color: Blue. It's just an awsome color, everybody likes it.


mental picture: me sitting in a circle talking with wise old men, learning from them. Also, me flying like Superman

fascinating thread btw. thanks!

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anleja

animal: see avatar. Nobody knows anything about the kind of person I am unless I choose to let them see inside the "shell". Not that I'm reclusive... just careful.

tool: either a telescope or a microscope. I can't decide. Can I be both?

color: deep blue makes me feel comfortable. It is the color of my bedsheets, the color of my vehicle, and the color of the sky when it is no longer day but not yet night (aka "twilight").

Astrocloud

Bear; Vibrator; Green; Rockin out

anleja

Oh, I forgot "when you picture yourself mentally..."

When I picture myself mentally, I am stretching. Stretching to recover from a mental rest, or stretching to prepare for mental activity.

Although I would like to mentally "rock out" as Astrocloud does.

viejo gringo

---A big black horny dog....

--An 18 volt rechargable drill/driver--lots of power and
rechargable.

---Blue, to match my eyes...

Supple Cow

I feel you on that. I guess my answer would be a Gollum (former hobbit turned slinky creature?). I like to think I'm something cool and versatile like a cormorant - they can fly, dive into deep water, and have fooled sailors into thinking they're sea monsters - but I'm really just a Gollum (minus the part where I'm controlled by evil powers).

I don't see myself as a specific tool, but as one in a general category - largely useless except for great utility in one specialized area. Something like corn-on-the-cob holders or a lint shaver. Again, I like to think I'm a swiss army knife, but I'm not kidding myself.

My color is a no-brainer: I vary in a range of cool colors from a deep violet to a brilliant teal or aquamarine.

When I picture myself (which I rarely do from a 3rd person perspective), I am doing physical things that are firsts for me: diving to catch a fly ball during a high school softball game, finishing a 3.5-hour hike to the top of a volcano in 100-degree heat, getting a cactus stuck in my hand and not crying like a wussy, finally being able to pull myself out of the ocean onto a boat without a ladder, learning how to drive stick in an empty mall parking lot. I don't really picture myself in less specific moments.

On a school retreat last year, we were asked to pick one symbol to represent each of the three most important parts of our lives. One of mine was ice. Solid, but capable of existing in all phases. Sometimes shocking (to the relaxed), sometimes soothing (to the injured), sometimes just a delicious treat (to whomever).

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"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
(Michael Jordan)