A recent article in the New Yorker asked the provocative question: “Are You the Same Person You Used to Be?”
Without over-simplifying a complex discussion, I can say that the author alleges that most of us fall into one of two camps — those who remain more or less consistent throughout their lives (continuers) and those who seem to live life in stages, changing and adapting along the way (dividers).
Reading articles like this reminds me of taking those tests that supposedly help experts classify you as one of up to (if I’m remembering correctly) nine different personality types.
I’ll be blunt here: I think that nine-square matrix is nonsense, though I suppose it serves some useful purpose somewhere. But it’s an absurd over-simplification as far as I’m concerned.
On the other hand, this two-type dichotomy feels more relevant. When I think about other people, some of those I’ve known for decades and decades do seem to have remained relatively unchanged over time, while others have most definitely undergone dramatic changes and evolved into rather different people than they were back in the day.
In my case, there are quite a few people who have known me for 50 years or longer, so I’ve gotten some relevant feedback on the matter, particularly from my professional colleagues and friends.
And quite a bit of it lately.
I’d have to say that the feedback has been decidedly mixed. Some tell me that I’ve changed dramatically; others see continuities that even I am unaware of. In any event, this all feels particularly salient since a group of producers in Hollywood is considering making a television series based on work I did in my 20s at Rolling Stone.
That is when I co-authored the Patty Hearst series. And it definitively changed my life. Reconstructing the choices and actions I made 50 years ago raises some questions I have a very hard time answering today:
Am I essentially the same person now who did that work back then? Would I do it all differently now? Do I have any regrets? Did that work change me somehow? Has my life been predictable or a series of stops and starts and left turns?
Stay tuned. After all, first we have to see whether that series even gets made. But either way, the questions will remain, won’t they, not just for me, but for all of us.
NEWSLINKS:
Judge bucks Trump, orders Pence aide to testify to Jan. 6 grand jury (WP)
Trump releases letter to Jan. 6 committee ranting about its investigation (Yahoo)
The most embarrassing part of Trump’s response to the House subpoena (WP)
Are You the Same Person You Used to Be? Researchers have studied how much of our personality is set from childhood, but what you’re like isn’t who you are. (New Yorker)
In U.K. Fallout, Lessons for a World Facing Harsh Economic Realities (NYT)
VIDEO: British Prime Minister Vows to Raise Corporate Tax Rate (Reuters)
Despite Its Barrage of Missiles, Russia Still Loses Ground in Ukraine (NYT)
Gunmen kill 11 at Russian military base in latest blow to war in Ukraine (Reuters)
‘Bloody Friday’: Witnesses describe the deadliest crackdown in Iran protests (WP)
Blaze, shots heard from prison in Iran capital amid protests (AP)
Education Department launches beta website for student loan forgiveness applications (NBC)
Raleigh shooting – live: Suspect, 15, will face charges as an adult after killing five (Independent)
Over 370 Republican Candidates Have Cast Doubt on the 2020 Election (NYT)
"Pretty troublesome": New COVID variant BQ.1 now makes up 1 in 10 cases nationwide, CDC estimates (CBS)
The global economy is in chaos. Nobody’s coming to the rescue. (Politico)
Meta’s Flagship Metaverse Falling Short, Company Documents Show (WSJ)
Afghanistan: Taliban ban women from many university subjects (BBC)
Some Unaccompanied Afghan Children in U.S. Suffer Panic Attacks, Depression (WSJ)
Assassin brothers jailed 40 years for car-bomb killing of Malta journalist (WP)
Humans can dive deeper into the world’s oceans than ever before with Alvin (CNN)
A black hole is releasing some strange burps, baffling scientists (NPR)
The mighty Mississippi is so low, people are walking to a unique rock formation rarely accessible by foot (CNN)
Grandfather Clock Does Loop-The-Loop With Pendulum When No One Looking (The Onion)
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