Chapter Five: Identity and Predictability, Nature versus Nurture.

This should lead naturally into a discussion of “What exactly does make someone unique?” Unique has been so overused in the media that it is now commonly used as a comparative. Yet people are no more identical than fingerprints. How can we resolve this, with the apparent similarities and occasional copy-cat behavior? Consider that from birth, our character is the accumulation of decisions or choices. If a parent disciplines us, and we agree, then we begin to implement that decision in our own affairs. If we disagree, we resolve not to let that be a decision we ever make. How to drive, what to eat, where to go, with whom to associate, when to act: The “whys” of how we do things. I learned from a psychiatrist that this is how we build our “sense of self.” This actually addresses the age old question of Nature versus Nurture is a unique way.

If the combinations and permutations of these were not enough, we change our minds at intervals that, while not random from the point of view of stimulus, are not readily predictable by any pattern. For example, “I'm sick of blue sweaters. Blue is no longer my favorite color!” When these things are taken into consideration, even “GI Joes,” military personnel who all wear size 10 shoes, and have names starting with “N” are still different enough in personality that it boggles the mind.

A more interesting question we could ask is this: “Do I mind being predictable?” Most of us just can't stand it. Some of us don't care that much, but are in the minority. The Chairman of the Federal Reserve is at pains to be predictable so that the stock market doesn't do anything crazy. And yet no one on Wall Street would presume to predict what color his socks will be on any given day.

The flip side to that coin is that militarily the element of surprise is invaluable. We carry this over into everyday life in small ways: We think “If you don't know what I'm going to say, then I can win an argument.” If no one knows how I am going to spend my money then I should be able to get a better deal. Are these things really true?

Surprisingly enough, mostly NO! If you agreed instantly, I would not need to say “surprisingly!” However: If you know what I am going to say, you needn't ask. If enough people buy VW Beetles, VW beetles are dirt cheap. Not very individual but still dirt cheap.

If being predictable works out so well for us, why are we at such pains to be different?