What defines a person?

[iamme]

Originally posted by: mugs
emo?

were you guys sitting in a coffee shop whilst discussing this?

 

[SpeedZealot369]

no were in my room right now...

I have a cold :-(

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: SpeedZealot369

Originally posted by: Ultralight
Why is it an either-or supposition? It is far more an and/both. A person is defined by both the words they use and the behaviors they engage in, but even so that is not the total person.

Yeah but like which one is more true then the other... thats what i mean.

Actions. You are defined by them.

For example I can tell you exactly what you want to hear and not follow up with my actions.

I can promise the moon but deliver a pile of crap.

Or I can deliver the moon and the stars and not say anything about it.

"don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk"

Of all the great men and women of the century what "words" have they used? Everybody has said great things, but some have proven their word to be true by their actions.

 

[Ewat]

Easy answer:

both

 

[SpeedZealot369]

ahhh

why are girls so difficult

signing off now, feel free to talk amongst yourselves...

 

[jchu14]

If by "words (what people say)" she means other people's perception, I agree with her to an extent.

Take Saddam Hussein for example, I have no doubt in his mind, he is not a ruthless mass murderer. Even though his (past) action doesn't doesn't change, the Saddam Hussein defined by himself, by people in the United States, people in the middle east, and Iraqis is drastically different.

Another way to think about it is how can a person be defined through their actions when that that action can be interpreted so many different ways?

 

[her209]

genetic material + finger prints

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: SpeedZealot369
ahhh

why are girls so difficult

signing off now, feel free to talk amongst yourselves...

They aren't difficult. Just remember that they are always right and you can sit smuggly, knodding at her saying "I completely understand, you are so insightful...I never thought of it that way...do go on"

knowing that she is full of it and letting her blab her mouth away.

 

[JLGatsby]

OP, your gf is wrong wrong wrong.

You can say whatever you want, because words don't usually effect the real world much.

But what you go out and do is directly what effects/changes the world around you.

Your actions are the only thing that matters. Sorry, but your gf is not too bright.

 

[Howard]

Words are cheap.

For example, I love aidanjm.

 

[dirtboy]

Originally posted by: malcontent
Actions speak louder than words..

 

[puffff]

i'd say your gf is 'right-er'

you are what people think of you.

for example, you tell a joke. that's your action. but what do people think of your joke? are you funny? are you an ass? what they think is what defines you.

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: puffff
you are what people think of you.

LMAO!!!!! Yeah that's good advice shared by most people.

The only thing that matters is what OTHER people think of you?

If you're not joking, you've got problems. Seriously.

 

[SpeedZealot369]

Originally posted by: puffff
i'd say your gf is 'right-er'

you are what people think of you.

for example, you tell a joke. that's your action. but what do people think of your joke? are you funny? are you an ass? what they think is what defines you.

So your saying you are what people think of you. I would have to disagree. What if when you told the joke you slipped on a banana peel and fell and got your clothes dirty etc....? every1 thinks your a clumsy idiot while you can be the coolest guy/girl.

 

[Vinny N]

Belief.

If you believe that your actions define who you are, then it is so.

If you believe that it is the words of other people which defines who you are, then it is so.

If you believe it is only what you say/think about yourself which defines who you are, then it is so.

Ultimately, for yourself, anything can define you that you believes defines you.

For anyone who is not you, they can only judge words/actions, but what they think of you, what their judgment is, is another belief.

It's possible to argue in that case even your words/actions are meaningless to define you to other people since a person COULD believe that what defines you is only what you believe matters.

 

[IAteYourMother]

I can tell that your gf has "defined" plenty of people before...

 

[puffff]

Originally posted by: SpeedZealot369

Originally posted by: puffff
i'd say your gf is 'right-er'

you are what people think of you.

for example, you tell a joke. that's your action. but what do people think of your joke? are you funny? are you an ass? what they think is what defines you.

So your saying you are what people think of you. I would have to disagree. What if when you told the joke you slipped on a banana peel and fell and got your clothes dirty etc....? every1 thinks your a clumsy idiot while you can be the coolest guy/girl.

ok, that was a very simple example. maybe not the best.

but the idea is, you can consider yourself a fun person to be around, but if other people dont like hanging out with you, you're not fun to be around. you might think yourself a courteous person, but if other people think you're rude, well, you're rude. if you think you're an exemplary employee, but all of your employers think you're a slacker and dont work hard, you're never going to get that promotion. if JLGatsby thinks he's supermodel material, but everyone thinks he's an idiot, he's an idiot.

in many cases, your actions will elicit the desired opinions from people, but in the end, it's still other people's opinions that matter

 

[SpeedZealot369]

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=38&threadid=1823358

Help me!

 

[JLGatsby]

Originally posted by: puffff
if JLGatsby thinks he's supermodel material, but everyone thinks he's an idiot, he's an idiot.

What I or anyone else actually is, is irrelevant. If you are happy with who you "think" you are, what's the problem?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Originally posted by: SpeedZealot369
I've been having an argument with my girlfriend about this, wanted to see what AT users think.

I say people are defined by thier actions, my gf thinks by words(what people say).

whadaya think?

It's not what you say or do that matters, but what you think. So, I guss I am saying that you are both wrong.

 

[puffff]

Originally posted by: JLGatsby

Originally posted by: puffff
if JLGatsby thinks he's supermodel material, but everyone thinks he's an idiot, he's an idiot.

What I or anyone else actually is, is irrelevant. If you are happy with who you "think" you are, what's the problem?

i can think myself the studliest man in history, not seek other people's opinion, and be blissfully ignorant. theres nothing wrong with that. but unless women agree that i'm a stud, i'm not.

 

[iversonyin]

Your perception and other people perceptions define you.

But to shut your gf up---->"Action speaks louder than words"

/thread

 

[illusion88]

This is dumb. If a person was defined by their actions, would you consider a white kid who does good in math and rices out his honda asian? Would you consider an asian who acts black, talks black a black person? It's a combination of your actions, what you are and what you say.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: puffff
in many cases, your actions will elicit the desired opinions from people, but in the end, it's still other people's opinions that matter

Man you so don't get it.

I know perception is reality, but boy you SO don't get it.

 

[ucdbiendog]

your gf is short bus. i can say all the nicest things in the world then go kill a few people without saying a word. by her definition id be a good person.