White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1930-08-15
Why We Behave
Like Human BEINGS
B, GEORGE DORSEY. Phi. D.. LID.


great nation lost Its character
but gained reputation.
Character seems to be an essence,
spirit, CORE stuff, that defies analy-
sis: like consciousness or unconscious
mind. "If could only get at his true
character" we say. as though it were
something quite beyond range of In
investigation. Or at least beyond any
one but psycho-analyst: he might be
able to draw 1t out"
What do we do with bottle that
looks like gin but may be poisonY'
Try it, or have friend try it, or send
1t to chemical laboratory. Are there
laboratories where character may be
analysed? There are: palmists, phre-
nologsts, handwriting experts, Frued-
lists, mind-readers, clairvoyants. Swan
is. mystics, and charlatans-ignorant
and honest or wise and dishonest.
They all read" character.
While they are in the inner shrine
with some ones true character" or
timer SELF" let us not forget that
human beings do not come like but
tons from mold but in Individual
packages. There is probably a prize
in every package, If we only looked
for 1t or knew how to find it. These
packages come with limited roper
toire of habits, an unlimited amount
of emotion, and an enormous capacity
to learn. Further, they are keen to
learn: their very bodies itch for action
they could not have peopled the
earth and enslaved nature otherwise
Further, these little packages, In the
natural process of becoming united and
budding like a rose or sunflower as
is their bent, become more and more
tied up, with the result that by the
time one is old enough to vote
whether it Vas learned what the bal
lot means or Mott belongs to moth
er's church and fathers party. and
wears the clothes, thinks the thoughts.
and swears by the flag the family and
the community have wished on 1t.
| In short, it's character" may be nil,
! its reputation fine But 1t is per-
son and is so recognized by law. 1t
has personality. 1t is a going con-
Germ. Where and how fast and how
long it goes, and when it will throw
fit or jump the track or explode, de-
pend. Fill in the details your
| self.
We do, every day: Shall marry
her? Does he love me? Shall we in
vite them? Shall ! accept his invita-
| ton? Shall we let her go to the
| dance with him! Dare make the
venture? Is he fit for our son to play
with? Is his note good? Shall EN-
ploy him? Is she good cook2 Is
he an honest chauffeur? Would you.
if you we're 1?
How do we answer these questionsi
Call in pamist? Some do, or there
would be no palnists. But most Of us
answer them S we answer other ques
that pie? Is it real ruby? Is this
good lipstick? Shall buy y. e. d.
or sell p d. o.? Shall we send Willie
to Brown or Green? Is this road safe?
Shall we go to the movies or to
church? Is the beer all gone? Shall
we quit now or play till morning? Is
this suit good enough? Shall | end0w
charity now or steal another mil
lion?
We make mistakes. With original
sin loose in the world we must. We
make mistakes in persons and things.
A pleasing" thrilling" "absorb.
ing" personality is one we like to touch.
Men shake their hands. Women kiss
them. When 81 instinctively like that
person." the instinct that is talking Is
an unanalyzed sexual or emotional
slant based on early habits OF love.
A "lovable" personality within the
same sex is possible because sharp
leanings toward the other sex were
not formed II the time sex natured.
o-edncation is sanitary education
We jump at our personality con
cusions We know ne cannon he this
and she cannot he that. What we real
| ly know Is that some personalities ap
peal to us. others do not. We can
rarely give the real reason for our
spontaneous judgments. Personalities
are rather more complex than apples
or motor cars.
| The most "erect carriage" may be
| the greatest social scoundrel unhung
| The Intelligent brow" may be housed
| under ounces cap. The "squarest
chin" may he weak sister and the
most henpecked man in town
Some things do show through: ella
| ton. despondency etc. But the rosi
est checked apple may have wormy
heart. woman with homely face
covers II with hat and veil or tresses
and sells herself on her form.
Pick 80 men AT random from Fifth
avenue. Take them to the Tonbs.
shave their heads and photograph
them Mix the photographs in with
those of so inmates Call in your
mind readers and character experts.