Freak Factor

http://changethis.com/manifesto/45.02.FreakFactor/pdf/45.02.FreakFactor.pdf

            For this blog I will be taking a look at David Rendall’s ‘Freak Factor’ manifesto with a focus on three of his nine suggestions.  This article focuses on one’s weaknesses and how they are manifested and how they can be dealt with.  Three basic options are provided for the dealing of weaknesses, fix them, just build on your strengths or do a bit of both.  The stated purpose of this particular manifesto is to offer ways to meet weaknesses to this end as well as to offer up other alternative solutions. 

            The first suggestion I want to take a look at here is number four, forget it: don’t try to fix your weaknesses.  Personally I do feel that this suggestion is valid and I do agree with it.  This fallacy calls for accepting what you are and what makes you you and suggests that you use your weaknesses to understand that you have your limitations and your drawbacks just accept them for what they are, exactly that.  Recent polls have shown and brought to light that a majority of people felt that fixing these weaknesses were essential to personal development.  In reality when these weaknesses are really looked at and studied they are perfect for recognizing and bringing to light ones strengths and complimenting them, allowing you to direct you efforts toward these outlets and really becoming a master at what you excel in.

            The second fallacy I wanted to bring to light and put some focus on here is number five, which calls for building on your strengths.  This fallacy is also a great compliment to the previous fallacy and they both do well to play off each other and really help one to develop the skills they are best suited for.  As the article for this fallacy states one’s strengths are surely their passion and their proficiency so wanting to build upon them really makes the most sense.  The article also points out, rather correctly in my opinion, that if you don’t use your strengths or play to them when you can, then you just might lose them.  It also points out that many people tend to think and believe the opposite of this as well, believing that since these skills are exactly what they are, strengths, then they will always be there.  However, I believe that this is not always necessarily the case.

            The last fallacy and article I wanted to bring light to and focus on is fallacy number eight; Freak: The Power of Uniqueness.  This article brings into focus and discusses the Leaning Tower of Pisa and it’s unintentional success.  The tower that was being built have never been meant to start leaning or to have an unstable foundation, yet despite this millions of people around the world have spent millions of dollars just to come and see a exactly that, a leaning tower.  Also noteworthy, despite having the technology and the power today to straighten out the tower and fix the tilt even today people still wish to instead just leave it be as the marvel it is.  So this fallacy brings into light the false belief that it is good to be normal or to stay within acceptable norms, while the article challenges why being normal when one can be exceptional?