To Be Weird, Or Not To Be Weird, That Is The Question

There are some people who don’t quite fit in. They seem a little strange. People like me. Some folk get mad at them, for not trying hard enough to be like everyone else. These people often develop a habit in childhood of subverting their nature so they can fit in. But they never quite succeed.

Reading “The Unleashed Mind: Why Creative People Are Eccentric” in Scientific American Mind. Fascinating article. If your brain works weird, it might answer some questions.

The article theorises that creative/eccentric types are a subset of people who suffer  from cognitive disinhibition: their brains don’t filter out as much information as most people. The result? If you have enough additional vulnerabilities (genetic variation, trauma) you get schizophrenia. If you have a solid working capacity memory and a high IQ, you get people who can use that excess information for creative and scientific insight. These people have traits of schizophrenia, but not the illness: it’s called “schizotypal”.

The questionnaire in the article was quite unambiguous as to what kind of mind I had. It’s a relief to know that you’re not just odd ‘coz you’re crazy. (At least, it’s not the only reason.)

The idea that flew right past me until a friend pointed it out, was the last question:

“11. Do you often feel like a square peg in a round hole?”

The article stated:

A yes answer to question 11 is related to both creative thinking and schizotypal personality.

OK. Seems obvious to me. Everyone feels like that, no?

No. A brief survey of friends and family reveals that most people I know–even people I think feel like me, answer, “No”. to question eleven.

Woh. Hold Everything. You mean my sense that I’m “strange” and “odd” isn’t just some  ego-gratification-please-let-me-be-different indulgence? You mean my sometimes odd way of behaving in public isn’t just anti-social behaviour? You mean I shouldn’t try to fit in? ‘Coz I won’t EVER?

Hallelujah! I am at last comfortable in my discomfort.

If the above rings true for you, I hope you find the same relief.