There is a niche coming-of-age question that tends to arise among highly intelligent outlier individuals, usually around the age of nineteen or when they first begin to seek deeper social bonds.
I would like to add that there's usually a group of extreme outliers who go through this around the age of thirteen - or at least, the realisation starts forming around then.
Lauren, perhaps one of the defining characteristics of a functional psychopath as exposed in the text is non-presence, which is little recognized in a profound way by those who experience it.
I don't stop to reflect on this because it's fruitless. Even if I had someone I could talk to about it, it wouldn't change society. I think that's why I chose to be an advertising executive by profession and to study psychology and human behavior: by understanding others, I develop more empathy for them, so I don't end up cloistered in my castle of arrogance, as many people end up being. Intelligence and curiosity go hand in hand.
I hope that this series of articles that began with “Outlier Genius” continues and that you can delve deeper into the loneliness (and perhaps fear) of not finding an ideal partner without losing this essence that we have.
Imagine understanding you can't have stimulating conversations with normal humans until you are 30+ at the age of 12-13. Who wouldn't want to end it all? Being disrespected and treated like an animal because of your race or gender. Others go through a similar shame, but they don't yet understand how much of a better person they are than the transgressor. Choosing to help others instead of creating the same harm should be respected if nothing else.
Unfortunately. Was handed a Bible at like 13ish and felt an uncomfortable feeling. I felt that there might be lies so I turned away from the church and leaned into eastern teachings until I became agnostic. Finally returned to the church at 39 after creating my personal version of worship.
I would like to add that there's usually a group of extreme outliers who go through this around the age of thirteen - or at least, the realisation starts forming around then.
you defined me. I suspect you're one of 'us' too.
You really wouldn't recognize one if you were not.
They are probably at a level higher to not only recognise it, but also articulate it with such deftness. This is practiced excellence
Welp, this certainly resonates.
✨️🫨✨️
Eloquently composed.
Thank you for sharing.
Lauren, perhaps one of the defining characteristics of a functional psychopath as exposed in the text is non-presence, which is little recognized in a profound way by those who experience it.
I don't stop to reflect on this because it's fruitless. Even if I had someone I could talk to about it, it wouldn't change society. I think that's why I chose to be an advertising executive by profession and to study psychology and human behavior: by understanding others, I develop more empathy for them, so I don't end up cloistered in my castle of arrogance, as many people end up being. Intelligence and curiosity go hand in hand.
I hope that this series of articles that began with “Outlier Genius” continues and that you can delve deeper into the loneliness (and perhaps fear) of not finding an ideal partner without losing this essence that we have.
The way I was going to send this to you after reading it… then saw you wrote it!! You’re so GOOD, Lauren ;
Brilliant
Imagine understanding you can't have stimulating conversations with normal humans until you are 30+ at the age of 12-13. Who wouldn't want to end it all? Being disrespected and treated like an animal because of your race or gender. Others go through a similar shame, but they don't yet understand how much of a better person they are than the transgressor. Choosing to help others instead of creating the same harm should be respected if nothing else.
Are you speaking from experience?
Unfortunately. Was handed a Bible at like 13ish and felt an uncomfortable feeling. I felt that there might be lies so I turned away from the church and leaned into eastern teachings until I became agnostic. Finally returned to the church at 39 after creating my personal version of worship.
dull the knife
I see through and through
Before you speak before you think
I see your soul my oldest trick my dearest friend
I read your aura, inhale your disposition
and just like that I mirror -all
your Yesterdays your Nows and your Beyonds
I keep at bay and don’t utter a (true) word
I talk and talk and I own the room
which room?
the lesser room the insignificant room
always counting, seeing, measuring
And I drink and I drink to dull the knife that cuts you all
and me the most.