22 Nov Eccentrics

The etymology of “eccentric” is a circle or orbit not having the Earth precisely at its center. Eccentric people are off center. As they don’t identify with any affinity groups, they are independent thinkers and view many consensus views as absurd. Moreover, many of their views of human nature are unique and insightful. Often they feel invisible as others rarely take their views seriously for fear they too would appear eccentric and thus shunned by their affinity group memberships. Eccentrics are like Cassandra in Greek mythology who was cursed with the ability to make true prophesies that no one believed.

According to Dr. David Weeks who has studied eccentrics, the characteristics of eccentrics, most of which apply to me, are:

Enduring non-conformity.

Creativity.

Curiosity.

An enduring and distinct feeling of being different from others.

Idealism, unrealistically hoping to improve the lot of others by having others think like them.

Happily obsessed with a number of long-lasting preoccupations.

Intelligent, in the upper 15% of the population.

Opinionated and outspoken.

Non-competitive, not needing tangible recognition of success.

Unusual eating habits and living arrangements.

Not particularly interested in the opinions of others.

Possessed of a mischievous sense of humor, charm, whimsy and wit.

More frequently an eldest child.

Having an eccentric family member.

Focused on thoughts, not feelings.

Feelings of invisibility as they feel others don’t take them seriously.

Feeling that others can take them only in small doses.

Dislike small talk or other inconsequential conversation.

A degree of social awkwardness.

More likely to be single, separated or divorced.

A poor speller in relationship to their intellectual capacity.