Do people become experts in areas of deficiency?
Jason Kottke is spot on with this observation. In the past few days, he's read of two men in science who are experts in areas where they're personally deficient. George Vaillant's area of expertise is relationships, yet he himself has intimacy issues. And then V.S. Ramachandran has done some very fascinating research in areas related to strange brain behaviors, and yet he himself has a pathologically incapable memory (he can never remember his wife's birthday—or even birthmonth—for the life of him!).
At the end, Kottke ponders:
Beethoven was deaf. Monet had vision problems when he painted some of his most well-known work. I wonder if there's something to this beyond coincidence.I think there definitely is. I've noticed that many self-help gurus are working out their own issues on a public platform. For example, Dr. Laura (the stern advice queen on the radio) has had a love life that would be considered a failure given her message. Also politicians seem very genuine when they expound about virtue, but I wonder if they are able to get passionate about what they're saying because they're really just talking to themselves on the stump.
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Jane said on May 20, 2009 5:11 PM
It does make me think of Freud's concept of "active mastery" ie., the drive to be competent or take control over that which we passively experience, especially areas in which our ego is slighted or traumatized.
April Lies said on May 20, 2009 7:03 PM
Becoming an expert requires becoming aware of the territory and making a personal connection to it. By seeking out info where I have recognized a flaw in myself.. I am letting my experience of interfacing with the world lead to the lessons I am requiring. Personal connection to a subject increases our ability to remember and use the info. I think this has a lot to do with coming from the heart, being genuine.
Philosophistry said on May 20, 2009 7:11 PM
These are both good connections, thanks for this.