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Vallish S

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Do we become a person by imitating him / her?

It happened with me, not sure with how many others. I tend to get influenced by some people so much that I invariably end up imitating them...! Not sure what makes me think that I have become like him / her by mere imitation..! Well, it did not work with me... I just thought I am good by myself after the influence weakens on my mind. But your theory is rekindling the spirit in me to ask you this...

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Topics: behavior change faking imitation influence
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    Nicholas Lukowiak 50+

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    Oct 10 2012: We are always imitating others; part of our nature is to mimic others in order to be immersed into the 'norm' and groups we associate with.

    Rather than strive to be an individual, strive to be the best combination of multiple individuals. I call it "existential nitpicking" (in this case persona picking) in which you select from other sources what you find to be important/essential in developing who you want to be as opposed who you already think you are being.

    Imitate! But, do so understanding you are in fact imitating in order to recreate not reproduce.

    But, no, we do not become anyone by imitation. We just learn.
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      Luis Javier Salvador 30+

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      TED Translator
      Oct 10 2012: I totally agree with you. I guess we all follow or imitate certain role models, even if we are not aware of it. The key is, as you said, to adopt all the good things from different people in order to get as close to our ideal as possible.

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