You’re a Lot More Interesting than I Thought
by Carlyn Reichel, Opinions Editor on April 30, 2008 in Opinion
Not to make this all about me, because this is about you - but my birthday is today. So, as the quarter-life crisis careens headlong at me, I’ve been thinking about how to honor the momentous day when I will finally be able to rent a car on my own.
I try to do something unique or interesting or stupid each year to mark the occasion. Last year, I went to trapeze class and got hooked on a niche market skill that will inevitably make for more unique job interviews later in life. This year, I am trying a little self-reflection. Imagine that - it only took me 25 years.
Here’s what I’ve come up with so far: you’re a lot more interesting than I thought you were.
It’s not that I thought you were boring before; it’s that I really didn’t think too deeply about you at all. And I bet you didn’t think too deeply about me either. For anyone at the Kennedy School, if you told me (1) where they are from, (2) where they worked before HKS or, alternately, what their concentration is, and (3) who they are supporting in the 2008 election, I would immediately form an opinion as to who they are, what kinds of things they like, scenarios I imagine them fitting in, and how well I think we are likely to get on. Actually, at this point we could probably go on (3) alone.
It’s classic psychological schema organization - and it’s a nifty trick to use at the ballot box too. Republican? Woman? African-American? I know everything I’m ever likely to know about that person right there. But I digress. The point is, we all use schema as a mental shorthand to help navigate the world around us. The problem comes when we stick people into schematic prisons from which there is no escape.
I have been shocked recently by the number of times a close friend has told me something quirky about him or herself - something that did not fit my carefully constructed expectations - and I flatly did not believe it. It just seemed wrong. And these are people I know pretty well. Though in my own defense, lots of my friends are liars.
We all become more interesting the larger our schema grow. Personal pigeonholing is inevitable, but if we start by sharing the weirdest or most interesting and un-stereotypical things about us right up front - the things usually saved for once you get to know a person better so you don’t sound either self-absorbed or deranged - it gets a lot harder. (You go to HKS and you voted for Hillary? I just don’t know what to do with that…)
It’s so easy here to get caught up in Election Fever! Spring (Exercise) Fever! Congress Fever! We assume the people around us are simply fellow policy wonks, nerding it up at HKS for a few years on their way to a life of bureaucratic bliss. Too few of us take time to appreciate the fact that the IOP’s Executive Director was once the Tour Manager for New Kids on the Block, or that the person sitting next to you in STM-101 is an incredibly talented cellist/oboist/vocalist/aerial acrobat (as the talent show gave us ample proof - let’s not forget that fact in all the hubbub). And almost no one knows Dean Ellwood used to be Public Enemy’s hype man pre-Flavor Flav. (True story. Ask him about his collection of neck clocks.)
So please, as the incoming opinions editor for the Citizen, I implore each and every one of you to share your sequestered talents and your zany hobbies with the rest of the HKS community. Do it in print, do it online or do it in person, but let it out there. Then form groups and do it together, because kooky loves company and our school loves organizing. Not only will it enrich us all by expanding the narrow limits of our HKS schema, think how much more interesting it will make you seem!
I look forward to seeing at least an Arts Assemblage or a Karaoke Caucus next year. I know there are more of you out there. And, if anyone wants to go “flying” with me, just let me know. Unless I try lion taming this year instead.
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