Monday
Jun162008
I always think everything is about me
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 9:39AM
If a statement is made that doesn't seem to be expressly directed at anyone in particular, I will still suspect that it may have to do with me. I think this is a biological thing, it's likely that it's evolutionarily beneficial to be suspicious rather than igorant of the intentions of those around you.
by kevindooley
And it's not just me, I may be worse in some cases, but everyone does it. The post I wrote on things that bother me was a great example. While all of those things were based on my experiences, none of that post was written with the intent of subtly conveying messages to a number of people. It's just a rant, there was no intended recipients other than the internet at large, and no intended effects other than to showcase my pet peeves in an overblown manner.
by Dust Mason
But some people assumed that I was talking about them in particular. And that's what I find interesting. People look for patterns in things, and assume that because they are/do Thing A, and someone mentions their view on Thing A, that it was a personal comment. When really, there is nothing there.
by kellypuffs
I do it all the time. The number of times that I've been told "Not everything is about you Eric" is ridiculous. That said, I have reason to be suspicious. While I'm usually blatantly obvious about what I mean when I say something (I call it honesty, others would call it a lack of tact) others are not so obvious.
by twenty2wo
They ask me about hypothetical third parties whose situation happens to bear a striking resemblance to our own. They use stories about "friends" to get my opinions on a subject. The funny part is that I'm usually too oblivious to notice these tactics until hours afterward, by which time I've usually already said something that I wouldn't have if I had known they were probing me for information.
by Dan4th
What's the point of this rant? I guess it's a couple things. Firstly, I'm going to continue assuming everything is about me. Everyone does it, it's natural, and it's not really an ego thing, everyone is the center of their own universe. Secondly, I've said before that I prefer honesty and that still stands. I rant all the time and decide to take stupid stances on things just for the sake of argument, so unless you explicitly ask me something, you're just as likely to get bullshit as you are to get my real feelings. If an accurate answer is important, just ask me straight up.
by peregrine blue
You're so vain. You probably think this post is about you.
by kevindooley
And it's not just me, I may be worse in some cases, but everyone does it. The post I wrote on things that bother me was a great example. While all of those things were based on my experiences, none of that post was written with the intent of subtly conveying messages to a number of people. It's just a rant, there was no intended recipients other than the internet at large, and no intended effects other than to showcase my pet peeves in an overblown manner.
by Dust Mason
But some people assumed that I was talking about them in particular. And that's what I find interesting. People look for patterns in things, and assume that because they are/do Thing A, and someone mentions their view on Thing A, that it was a personal comment. When really, there is nothing there.
by kellypuffs
I do it all the time. The number of times that I've been told "Not everything is about you Eric" is ridiculous. That said, I have reason to be suspicious. While I'm usually blatantly obvious about what I mean when I say something (I call it honesty, others would call it a lack of tact) others are not so obvious.
by twenty2wo
They ask me about hypothetical third parties whose situation happens to bear a striking resemblance to our own. They use stories about "friends" to get my opinions on a subject. The funny part is that I'm usually too oblivious to notice these tactics until hours afterward, by which time I've usually already said something that I wouldn't have if I had known they were probing me for information.
by Dan4th
What's the point of this rant? I guess it's a couple things. Firstly, I'm going to continue assuming everything is about me. Everyone does it, it's natural, and it's not really an ego thing, everyone is the center of their own universe. Secondly, I've said before that I prefer honesty and that still stands. I rant all the time and decide to take stupid stances on things just for the sake of argument, so unless you explicitly ask me something, you're just as likely to get bullshit as you are to get my real feelings. If an accurate answer is important, just ask me straight up.
by peregrine blue
You're so vain. You probably think this post is about you.
Reader Comments (3)
What an interesting blog. I will take some time to read through the posts and comment. So far, really cool visuals. Thanks for including mine.
Thanks so much. Let me know what you think.
OK but really, this post is about me thinking your "things that bother me" post was about me, right?
:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D