RoR: Forum

Mike,

They all were who they were before unequivocal events overtook their lives. Had these disasters not brought out their inner natures, their lives would have most likely played out much the same, though in a narrower range of actions.

I found that quite interesting. When folks come near death, they sometimes say their life flashes before their eyes. You're saying that -- in emergencies -- whatever character it is that we have built for ourselves with our lives gets expressed in lightning quick fashion (forcing them to be who they are faster than normal life would have).

Compelling theory.

Ed

Post 1

Monday, September 22, 2008 - 7:35am

Ed, at least for me this seems to be true. I had my own little emergency situation in 2002: I was in a car wreck. In that case, it was my fault being impatient and stupid when I was turning left when a standard 40footer yellow bus was in the right lane sizing up for a right turn and the left lane was occupied by a truck (plus fully laden trailer) still going at full speed. Simply put at the moment I saw the truck I knew I had two choices: stop or accelerate. At that moment my car was in full acceleration and I knew I couldn't choose to stop otherwise I would have been crippled by the blow to my legs (and possibly the rest of my body) as that part of the car (and myself) were in the direct path of the on-coming truck. In that split second I realized acceleration was the only logical option.

That damn three/four seconds felt like forever, but I'm glad I did keep my wits (I should have kept them sooner, but anyways... :-P) as it was the right answer for that moment as the truck only struck me a few inches away from my body (near my back), which in itself was risky according to the Fire & Rescue personnel (but possibly less risky than if I had stopped). In some ways, that moment tested much of my own abilities (my old eidetic memory and ability to 'hyperfocus' [which I thought I lost or couldn't induce anymore] on a situation helped me turn what would generally a blink of an eye for most into the 20-30 seconds (perceived) long time to make the choice). It's weird how in some ways from that point on much of these abilities became second nature to me as for most of my life they were fleeting in their emergence and use. It's like from that moment on the raw talent became unglued or at least kept in the 'on' position.

From that point on, I always look at least three times before I turn left (and never turn when the inner right lane(s) to my right are occupied or if I'm not sure about it). So, the accident itself taught me quite a bit about prevention as well. Still, it's weird how some folks never look once before they turn (Got ran over on a bike a year ago). o_O

-- Brede

Post 2

Monday, September 22, 2008 - 8:04am

Brede,

I think you are really talking more reflexes than character in your example - both being important in an emergency situation.

I'd agree wit Ed on Michael's suggestion being interesting, although I'd be inclined to suggest that only one aspect of a person's character may crystalize in that moment - i.e. that aspect of an individual which might normally assure they make the best choice might yet be succeeded by that aspect where they, through lack of confidence or sufficient reflexes, might hesitate or freeze.

In other words, they may not be lacking in character, but may be lacking in capacity (to act).

jt
(Edited by Jay Abbott on 9/22, 8:06am)

Post 3

Monday, September 22, 2008 - 1:59pm

Ed, thanks. As you can tell from the text, I wrote this in December 2007. I wrote it after discussions here. I failed to sell it to any libertarian or objectivist periodical, so I posted it now. These ideas have been with me for many months, but I never saw the situation in the way you describe until you said so. Yes, I see that now.

Brede, I agree with Jay that you apparently have good reflexes and I agree with you that those instants were telescoped in time. Something happens and we are not sure what, but that is a common experience of people in an emergency: the sense of time changes. Interesting.

Jay, what you say about an emergency being perhaps not a true revelation of a person's character, but only their immediate capacity to act might be true. It surely might have a strong element of truth within it. That is the reason why I have to point out that it is consonant with the Psychology of Self-Esteem -- and was explained to me by an older and wiser Objectivist -- that one indication of self-esteem is how you act in an emergency.

I found it interesting that the person who took charge was the magician, backed by the guitarist, backed by the singer. The magician actually has to have command over a lot of working gizmos as well as the audience and he certainly has gotten over being flustered about the first time a card trick did not go right. So, it was the magician who powered up the radio. However, the performers (guitarist and singer) were also people used to being naked in front of others, if you know what I mean, in other words, people whose success depends on some element of self-esteem.

How many here have seen The Edge with Anthony Hopkins and Alex Baldwin? I think that the essential distinguishing characteristic between the two men is that the millionaire has true self-esteem and the middle manager lacks it.

Post 4

Monday, September 22, 2008 - 6:08pm

Yeah, you're all right on that point, I was just randomly thinking of possible situations that I've been in. I guess that makes me lucky or unlucky depending on your point of view that I never had to make any dreaded decisions. But I think my mom has been close to such situations in regard to losing what she values most: her grandchildren. Now, this wasn't a life threatening situation for any of them, but it was one where they would never have seen me or the rest of the family again.

Basically, my sister decided to be stupid and put the custody of the kids at risk (at least one would be cared for by a father which we actually trust, but the other two would have gone to someone who was worse...). Anyways, my point on this is that my sister has risked the custody of her kids multiple times and risked the possibility of my parents (or myself) of seeing them again.

The funny thing is this, it shows a critical flaw (imho) in my mother's character in that she forgives too easily and too often. I'm not sure as to exactly why she does this with my sister, but I can only guess is that she some how has imagined her as something that she is not (helpless or whatever).

Even though this example isn't exactly a lifeboat situation, the fact that my mother tolerates the possibility of losing the grandkids (my nieces and nephews, or my pals to me. :) ) really makes me wonder how she would handle a more grave situation where lives could be lost.

-- Brede

Post 5

Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 6:19am