Remember Younger Bear in Little Big Man ?
(the most dangerous kind of Indian there is, a Contrary?)
I know someone like that. He is, as far as I know, unaware of the native American descriptions of his condition, notably Lame Deer's. And I am probably not qualified to make an official diagnosis, still, the parallels are numerous.
It's too bad my friend wasn't raised in an American tribal area and his gift noticed (he's 1/4 Native American). Outside of those places, he doesn't come across as 'mentally disturbed' or 'crazy', but when he is having trouble comporting himself by suppressing the 'Contrary' he can be puzzling to be around.
I think the Contrary thing is rather more complex than just 'consciously' having an 'overlay' to act backwards in a given situation. Rather, I think he experiences aspects of the world backwards. Wearing a sweater in the summer because he is cold, wearing very little in the winter because he is hot.
I have some old photos of us out squirrel hunting in the fall. (taken before I figured out the 'Contrary' thing) and I am wearing an unzipped windbreaker. He is wearing a parka, the pictures show leaves on the trees and green grass, it couldn't have been too late in the year. I recall him frequently driving his station wagon (he was single with no kids, so his car was opposite of what he needed) in the winter time with the windows down.
I think his dating me (a same sex relationship) might have been part of his Contrary experience too.
I've been out of touch with him for many years, I hope he has found an accommodation in life and is happy.
(the most dangerous kind of Indian there is, a Contrary?)
I know someone like that. He is, as far as I know, unaware of the native American descriptions of his condition, notably Lame Deer's. And I am probably not qualified to make an official diagnosis, still, the parallels are numerous.
It's too bad my friend wasn't raised in an American tribal area and his gift noticed (he's 1/4 Native American). Outside of those places, he doesn't come across as 'mentally disturbed' or 'crazy', but when he is having trouble comporting himself by suppressing the 'Contrary' he can be puzzling to be around.
I think the Contrary thing is rather more complex than just 'consciously' having an 'overlay' to act backwards in a given situation. Rather, I think he experiences aspects of the world backwards. Wearing a sweater in the summer because he is cold, wearing very little in the winter because he is hot.
I have some old photos of us out squirrel hunting in the fall. (taken before I figured out the 'Contrary' thing) and I am wearing an unzipped windbreaker. He is wearing a parka, the pictures show leaves on the trees and green grass, it couldn't have been too late in the year. I recall him frequently driving his station wagon (he was single with no kids, so his car was opposite of what he needed) in the winter time with the windows down.
I think his dating me (a same sex relationship) might have been part of his Contrary experience too.
I've been out of touch with him for many years, I hope he has found an accommodation in life and is happy.
