The layers of Self. (317 hits)
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Submitted by Respek! (View user info) at 2007-10-12 23:03:23 EDT
Ok I did some thinking today and decided that I should share this with you. Based on my experiences in the world, this is what i've come up with as the layers of humanity that define ourselves. So when you say "I am this.." or "I am a gay butts explorer" you should evaluate which of these levels of self you are attributing this information.
Starting inward and working out:
Layer 1 (innermost):
-This is what defines you from the perspectives of what you consider to be right and wrong, what you consider as good morals or ethics, and what you believe to be your natural characteristics. You know what makes you lazy, what makes you happy, what makes you inspired, etc. This is the layer that Socrates refeneces when he said, "Know thyself." This layer can also be a platform for your subconscious, your animalistic emotions (anger, lust, affection, dominance, etc, and the "soul" (for all you suicide bombing religious fanatics out there).
Layer 2:
-This is what you know of the world around you in terms of attainable knowledge. If you know a lot about cars, literature, biology, politics, space, or whatever, this is what makes up your 2nd layer of self. It's from this layer that you can shape your innermost layer by experiencing the highs and lows of the outside world, which in turn will shape your morality. The 2nd layer of self is where you can not only shape, but rationalize yourself as well. Once you begin to establish this layer, you can put words and ideas to what's in your innermost layer.
Layer 3:
-This is the layer that has to do with the social interaction amongst other layered humans. This is where you shape your conversational and social skills. From this layer you learn what are the "proper" ways to co-exist and succed in whatever sociological structure you are immersed in. When somebody says that you are a liar, an open minded person, a crazy person, a player, they are referencing the 3rd layer of self, in which you garter your being to be seen in some context of the set sociological construct. It's not so much a learned piece of information, like layer 2, it's more of an aquired skill. You paint a picture of what you want the world to see when they get to know you, it's your "personality". Most people believe that your personality should reflect yourself, aka Layer 2, however this isn't nessicary if you have strong enough social skills to portray yourself as whatever you want to be. Thus the maxim "you can't judge a book by its cover" holds true. The "book" representing your personality, and the "cover" representing Layer 4.
Layer 4 (outermost):
-This layer is literally skin deep, the aforementioned "cover". It is the layer that other people can see, and judge you on. The way you naturally look, the way you carry yourself, grooming, even the clothes you wear all paint the picture that people see and base their first impressions on. Sometimes even the formalities of an initial conversation play into Layer 4. Most people believe that you should adjust this layer to represent your Layer 2, and 3, in otherwords, you should have the outside represent what's inside. This is also unnessicary, as it is usually very difficult to correctly assume anything about the other layers of a human being based on Layer 4, simply because Layer 4 is the easiest layer to manipulate. This can be easily referenced by looking at people who devote their lives to whoring out their outermost layer. People like models, actors, professional athletes, strippers, and douchebags (whores, bodybuilders, players, you what I mean), are all examples of what happens when you cultivate the outermost layer to fit in the society you choose to live in. I'm not saying that all of these people don't cultivate their inner layers, just that they don't have to because they chose the path of least resistance. The fact is most people who cultivate this outer layer, don't even have a well cultivater layer 3 personality, which is an even bigger waste of life. Personally, I like to take advantage of these people for money, sex and power.
There you have it. I have described YOU.
If you agree, or disagree, feel free to let me know. I'm turning this into a research paper for my psych class so I could use the CONSTRUCTIVE critisism. Eh, fuck it, you can say whatever you want.
User Reviews
Submitted by apollo88 (user info) at 2007-10-13 17:09:56 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
i however have 5 layers, a hot molten core of pure magnificence that radiates throughout my entire being.
Submitted by Wompom (user info) at 2007-10-13 16:40:48 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
What makes bodybuilders douchebags? What if layer 2 is significantly health and fitness oriented therefore making layer 4 that of a bodybuilder and layer 3 that of a health nut?
You first say that a person cant be judged by their fourth layer, and 2 sentences later you are doing just that.
Interesting read, nonetheless.
Submitted by TheUniter (user info) at 2007-10-13 11:23:11 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
Submitted by ChristPuncher (user info) at 2007-10-13 03:46:54 EDT (#)
Ranking: -2
OH FUCK YOU AND ALL YOUR EMO LAYERS YOU SHITTY FUCK OF ASS
PS I AM JAMES ROLFE, AKA THE ANGRY NINTENDO NERD
GO BEARS WOO!!
Submitted by NintendoCzar (user info) at 2007-10-13 01:44:18 EDT (#)
Ranking: 2
I agree, and it's sad to know that the world usually just takes layer 4 and works from there. I would say....70% of the time, people will put up with shitty inner layers just because the top layer is so "hawt" as they say.
Personally, all my layers are disgusting, and right now layer 4 is all I care to work on. Sad, sad truth....
Submitted by ilikesteak (user info) at 2007-10-13 00:20:01 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
People do things as a whole. Thusly, all those layers happen at once.
The difference is, society has shaped those layers to an extreme degree, and must be taken into account.