The question of identity has been asked for thousands and thousands of years. Monks often ask this question to one another, spending weeks to meticulously craft their answer and respond. They end up doing really cute things like presenting a live bull frog and analogizing themselves to it.

“Who are you” is quite paradoxical. Ignoring the fact that identity may just be a construct or a selfish ploy from humanity to assert importance, the answer will usually consist of the following:

  • What you do for work
  • Where you are from
  • Your relationship with nationality, gender, religion, or morality
  • A fun fact about yourself

Typically, this is a great answer! Slightly basic, sure, but this tells me a great deal. However, philosophical minds (Sly) will ask you to dispose of that “trivial information”, answer more truly.

Answer it in the form of “I am blank blank

On one hand, answering this question shortly is quite reductionist—how can I possibly compress decades of my life into a couple of sentences, let alone a couple of words? On the other hand, it is a fun little game that reveals a great chunk. For who is anyone, but the way they choose to answer this question? Who is anyone but what they choose to prioritize?

This is why I will continue to ask this question. Regardless of how useless it sounds, it tells me a great deal about you. I’d like to say I’m not judging, but I probably am. That’s not a a bad thing though, it’s what we do as humans. If I wanted to bond with you, I would need the full story. That’s why we ask these questions.

Some creative answers:

  • a metal sphere reflecting the world around me
  • a mad scientist
  • a vibration
  • a role model
  • an identity goblin