Once I wrote a story about a painter. During my research I found some interesting stuff about the personality traits of painters. Now I’m writing a story about a scientist, and last night I tried to turn up some information about their personality traits. Instead, I kept running into articles with titles like, “Are Personality Traits Genetic?” I did, however, get a few kicks out of it:
I guess “Neuroticism” is the part psychologists are always seeing.
Childhood Personality Traits Predict Adult Behavior
No. Really?
Jedi Mind Tricks: Scientists Probe the Psychology of Darth Vader
First paragraph: Anakin Skywalker’s eventual transformation into Darth Vader might have more to do with psychological issues than the Force, researchers hint.
Last paragraphs:
But like any good doctor, [Eric Bui, a psychiatrist at Toulouse University Hospital in France] also has a treatment recommendation.
“I believe that psychotherapy would have helped Anakin and might have prevented him from turning to the dark side,” Bui said. “Using the dark side of the Force could be considered as similar to drug use: It feels really good when you use it, it alters your consciousness and you know you shouldn’t do it.”
I want a job where I get paid to diagnose the mental problems of imaginary people. And then prescribe treatment.
Come to think of it, a novelist’s job pretty much does consist of the problems of imaginary people, doesn’t it?
Does Your Fish Have a Personality?
Here’s how you figure it out: If you can’t tell whether or not your fish has a personality, the answer is no.