Generally speaking, you cannot control your age, sex, or race, which are all traditional markers of one's identity. However, style is something you have complete control over and has become the most valued aspect of a person's identity. The thing about style is that it is completely constructed. Style is a conscious choice of everything from the clothes you wear, the language you use, the music you listen to, the places you eat, and the books you read. All these things are attempts to fit into a certain type, and we are constantly putting ourselves "out," so to speak. We are always wanting to portray ourselves in a specific way so people know we are "punk," or "artsy," or "mysterious," or whatever it is that we want to be.
I'm not seperating myself from this. I know that I take certain courses in school, and read certain books, and dress in a certain way that reflects an intended style. I guess this is always my problem. I know that I am not above anything, but I just know that I understand it. When I look at someone's profile (whether it be on Myspace or Facebook), I know exactly what they are trying to do. All I have to do is look at their interests, or favourite movies, or music, and I know exactly what they are trying to pass at. Some people, however, are better than others. Some people seem to be more genuine (or at least pass as that).
To be honest, as soon as I see Chuck Klosterman, or Chuck Palahniuck under anyone's favourite books, or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind as someone's favourite movie, my impression of them immediately drops, for reasons that most people will not understand.
I guess I have a choice in my life. I either need to accept the fact that we are all trying to transcend identities, or I need to have no relationships of any type. I guess I just wish that we made things a little bit harder. I wish that it took more to pass as an intellectual, and not just reading Sex, Drugs, and Cocoa Puffs.
