At a design event recently, Ego made a not-so-surprising appearance. I caught up with it afterward for a short interview. Narcissism saw we were talking and nudged into the conversation. Here is an excerpt.
Let me count the ways.
Do you know the word humble?
Ego: Can you define your term?
Narcissism: I don’t understand the question! Are you referring to me? Have I done something to offend you? Why don’t you ask me about me?
Freud wrote that ego is a sense of self. Yet he later revised his definition to mean a set of psychic functions such as judgment, tolerance, control, planning, defense, intellectual functioning, and memory. Does that definition suit you?
Ego: Oh, humble—yes, for sure that would be my middle name, if I had a middle name. But, please, that’s enough about me. What do you think of me?Narcissism: Let me answer that with quote from my dear friend George Harrison—he was very fond of me, you know. He wrote this song about me:
All through the day, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.All through the night, I me mine, I me mine, I me mine.Now they’re frightened of leaving it,Everyone’s weaving it,Going on strong all the time.All through the day, I me mine.
You were invited to this design conference to talk about some of your influences. Do you have any?
Ego: My reputation is based on a lot of strikingly unique work and intelligent presentation.
Narcissism: I believe that all influences are within me. I’m influenced by my own work—impressed too. I derive great personal pleasure from the things I do, as I’m sure others get pleasure from them too.
How often do you Google yourselves?
Ego: Never. [Ping!] I get alerts.
Narcissism: Well, looking up my name is really extremely interesting. I see so many extraordinary things about me. My Wikipedia page is hugely popular—I get so many compliments.
Is there anything you’d like to say to young designers?
Ego: Follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Narcissism: Better yet, follow me! My feeds are so much more interesting. I’m also tops on Pinterest! I’m pinteresting!
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