On Narrative, Identity and Socks

John Locke loved his socks. So much so that there's a paradox called "Locke's socks" -very similar to the Ship of Theseus. In Locke’s paradox, we're asked to assume that John has a pair of socks. These socks happen to be his favorite socks and he wears them a lot. Unfortunately, these socks become worn and one of them gets a hole in it. If this sock is then patched can it still be called the same sock? If the answer is yes, then what what would happen if the sock required a second patch or a third? If over time none of the original sock exists can it be considered the same sock even though it has none of its original material? 

This idea is one of great interest for a species of creature that changes cells every day and reasonably, one can imagine that the cells present in the baby Charles and Serinah named Joel are no longer the same ones present in the bearded rogue(my self image is beyond criticism. Shut up!) typing this. I look completely different, my exposure to different ideas and people have resulted in new neural networks in my brain resulting in changes in my attitudes, emotional responses and behavior. Life kept adding patches.  

So what connects me to the 16 year old skinny lad that pined for the love of a girl ,frankly out of my league , because high school really is the most Darwinian stage of life? My memories-however unreliable and the narrative of continuity I give to this collection of ideas and matter interacting with the world.

In much the same way, companies and countries face the same paradox and respond with visions and mission statements that are meant to be the unifying theme as the company continues as a going concern. Countries have their anthems and heritage and culture -things that they point to to say, "This is what makes our country stand out". However , these things change over time. A Ugandan in 1920 had a very different experience than one will have in 2020. Can we really say it's the same country and not just mean it occupies the same land mass? What does it mean to say that is not Ugandan-what is this essential nature that is Ugandan? Must it be agreed upon by all ? Can that someone who has citizenship but doesn't subscribe to some "Ugandan custom or culture" still be called a True Ugandan? What does Donald Trump stir up when he speaks of making America great again-when was this greatness and what are the narratives that make this greatness so?

I think the paradox asks us to question what we call the essential nature of something. What baseline property is necessary in order for a country, a company , a person , to be uniquely identified. Far as I can tell, it's the stories we tell ourselves. The narratives we weave that connect us to our surroundings and other people. Which is why the stories we listen to and tell ourselves are hugely important. They're the thread that will connect us to the past and the future..and each other. The stories live beyond us. Like a cosmic wikipedia with entries from different people. The sources becoming more and more obscure till all that remains is the tale .