Orientation & Identity

Identity as an orientation standard | Markus Hanzer
We live in a world of constant change. Not only do the appearances
of nature change, we humans also change and so does our environment.
Our memory is unstable and forgetful. Identity is the phenomenon
that gives us a sense of orientation despite all changes
and transience.
Identity demands an unchangeable being, type, way, quality,
characteristic or perceptibility. We are able to recognize people or
places even if many things have changed, for example. Perception
is a complex process that comprises character and personality,
structures, intentions, etc. But characteristics don’t just adhere to
the phenomena; they are attributed according to the ability to read
what is there to be perceived. This even affects our self-image,
which also changes as soon as we have become familiar with new
decoding forms. Both psychotherapy and advertising are new reading
classes, so to speak.
Identity requires the constant presence of phenomena that
can be differentiated, or the determination of individuation principles
that do not apply to a specific phenomenon. Identity is like
a skin that gives protection and sets things apart, it is thick and
repellent in some places yet appears thin and permeable in others.
This skin is flexible, grows, changes, stretches or contracts.
Clearly outlined appearances that are reduced to a few characteristics
are easier to identify than complex, open and multifaceted
exteriors. Those who want to be recognized have therefore
mostly made a habit of searching for ways of being different. Design
is the tool that helped create and develop forms of perception.
Obtrusive, conspicuous and loud surfaces are used to provoke
attention. The reverse strategy lies in becoming invisible by conforming
to very widespread forms of appearance.
Identity can be called a form of attribution. Identity comes
into being in the observation of the variable fields of affiliation and
differentiation, or individuality. Things that are foreign make us
aware of things that are familiar. The ability to differentiate is acquired.
Discernment makes it possible to grasp the finest nuances.
Graffiti may be nothing but an interference and annoyance of the
same shape for one person, while graffiti aficionados can see clear
differences in them. The space in which we can recognize people,
objects and phenomena is variable. It seems to change in the
course of history and is always different from person to person.
Where we see differences and things in common is therefore a
matter of perspective, or tolerance if you like.
Human society builds on an attribution of responsibility and
therefore demands proofs of identity, in line with the suspicion
that perception can be deceived. Hence we look for signs that withstand
simple deception maneuvers. Passports should therefore
have a fingerprint or an image of the eye’s iris. We expect many
goods to make us recognizable, or to brand us. If someone or something
doesn’t declare himself clearly or doesn’t seem authentic,
he is accused of hiding something to avoid being held responsible.
Clichés have long since formed that many trust. These clichés have
become unavoidable due to the confusing amounts of information
we are confronted with. Widespread patterns therefore develop
their own momentum. The willingness to question preconceived
notions often requires incisive experiences that make the failure of
our perception clear.
The uniqueness of a phenomenon has to prove itself anew,
time and again, since everything constantly changes. A causal connection
has to be created to avoid a loss of attributed identity in
the course of change. Someone who covers his tracks, denies his
heritage, renews him or herself radically often attracts attention to
precisely those moments that are beyond observation.
The idea that something can change without becoming incomprehensible
is a prerequisite for human existence, history, progress
and freedom. The energy of human action continues to be distributed
between the attempt to attribute roles and establish identity
and the demand for personal freedom from roles. We only accept a
fixed amount of freedom of movement if this fixed amount has advantages
attached to it. Laziness, the fear of risks and will to economic
thriftiness slows the exploration of new options.
Our own freedom of action is limited by the feeling that we are
losing our identity. If we go beyond those limits we feel a sense of
isolation, dissolution and re-definition.
When we process sensory perceptions we often ask ourselves
what the consequences of the things we perceive will be for
us. Can intentions, foreseeable changes and actions that make a
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