http://geophysics.vox.com/library/posts/tags/personality+trait/page/1/ en Vox Sat, 03 May 2008 19:40:36 -0400 Copyright 2008 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss personality trait http://geophysics.vox.com/library/post/qotd-personality-trait-trouble.html?_c=feed-rss-full nobody@vox.com(John) http://geophysics.vox.com/library/post/qotd-personality-trait-trouble.html?_c=feed-rss-full http://geophysics.vox.com/library/post/qotd-personality-trait-trouble.html?_c=feed-rss-full Sat, 03 May 2008 19:40:36 -0400 <blockquote><p>What personality trait has gotten you in the most trouble?&#160; </p></blockquote><p> That&#39;s easy - my assumption is always that when someone asks a question he wants an answer [1]. Thus, if I know the answer, I give it. You&#39;d be surprised how many people resent having their questions answered.</p><p>My second most troubliferous [2] trait is my belief that curiosity is a divine mandate, not a sin [3]. Thus, my preference is to &quot;run and find out&quot; [4], which means that I will fearlessly wander through the hidden markets of Bangkok or the tomes of <a href="http://www.skepdic.com/nostrada.html">Nostradamus</a>. This becomes a problem because of my trick memory, which allows me to retain an unusual amount of the information so gleaned and so provides me with the answers to all those annoying questions...</p><p>My third annoying trait is that the combination of curiosity and knowledge has led me to be able to answer most questions correctly. Even when I do not know the answer, my understanding of the semiotics of knowledge and knowledge systems helps me to find the answer quickly. The problem with this is two fold: first, my answers come fast [5], which can mean that others don&#39;t get to play the game. Second, my batting average is good, but not 1.000. As a result, sometimes I forget that my answers can be in error [6]. Fortunately, I have experienced enough embarrassing assertions of errant rightness that this is not the problem it was when I was <a href="http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt1/">much younger</a> and much dumber.</p><p><strong><span style="font-size: 1.25em;">John</span></strong></p><p>[1] As opposed to sympathy or ditto-heading. </p><p>[2] A portmanteau of &quot;trouble&quot; and the geology all-purpose &quot;-ferous&quot;, meaning &quot;carrying&quot;.</p><p>[3] You&#39;d be amazed how many people (religious or otherwise) feel that curiosity is evil. Or at least, a form of self abuse likely to drive you blind [a], insane [b], or into a hermitage [c].</p><p>[4] Geek points for the reference!</p><p>[5] And sometimes furiously.</p><p>[6] Either because the source was wrong, because my memory was wrong (and I failed to double-check), because my logic was wrong, or because the person wasn&#39;t asking what I thought they were asking.</p><p>[a] Insert snide comments on my visual acuity...</p><p>[b] And about my mental acuity...</p><p>[c] What do you know - three for three!<br /></p> <p style="clear:both;"> <a href="http://geophysics.vox.com/library/post/qotd-personality-trait-trouble.html?_c=feed-rss-full#comments">Read and post comments</a> | <a href="http://www.vox.com/share/6a00c225226c208e1d00f48cf48b200002?_c=feed-rss-full">Send to a friend</a> </p> qotd geek points personality trait