The Hidden Mind (Assignment One)

Alex’s world seems so quiet when I compare it to mine. He has a multitude of friends, participates in several after school activities, and, when he chooses, provides a level of conversation that I don’t believe I could hold with many other 11 year olds, but more often than not he choose to be alone. He is off in his room building an intricate Lego vehicle, or on the couch completely swallowed by a young adult novel. Even if you are in the same room as him your presence is often ignored, especially if he is entranced by a video game or the computer. However, despite the appearance of Alex’s world, I don’t think it’s quiet to him, just the outsider trying to weasel their way in.

Alex’s mind is constantly churning with observations, ideas, and questions that he prefers to share only with himself. His thoughts are internal. His feelings are as well, until he hits the point of over blown frustration and all of the contained feelings are released in an explosion of noise and movement. What really counts in Alex’s world is freedom.He desires freedom to explore, to create, and to manage his own life. He wants to play video games, go outside, fix and build things, or be absorbed by a book on his own terms, in his own time. He does not want to be dictated by his brother’s desires or his parents’ chore schedule. His greatest complaint is restrictions and rules set by others that he must follow.

In Alex’s busy mind he is logical. He sees the world in clarity. The earth is composed of concrete shapes and structures. 

There is little doubt in his mind to how life functions. He sees many opportunities to create new things and a place to explore. Alex’s silence is broken by his friends. He sees them as a portal to another version of himself.

His friends facilitate an Alex that can set aside the inner musing and become simply a child that can have fun and just enjoy life. The market offers opportunities to both of these versions Alex. It offers tools for creativity and books for silent enjoyment, but also offers toys that can be shared with his buddies.

From these friends Alex hears jokes and laughter. Their conversations aren’t meant to be thought provoking, their meant solely for enjoyment.He has these interactions with his family as well, but also hears words and noises off annoyance. His brother can be a loud, intentional nuisance and his parents institute orders that becoming an irritation or something to ignore. He sometimes hears words and sounds of comfort from his family, but often from his dog, Biscuit. The sound of her paws, her whimper, and the sound of her tongue licking him often provide him solace.

Alex approaches the public world similarly to how he approaches his family. He is quiet and observant. His physical appearance is slightly uncaring and disheveled. He doesn’t seem worried by what he looks like because it is not important compared to the thoughts inside his head.There are times that he will choose to have a conversation with people. Alex is either uncaring of my presences, or fully engaged with me, which makes the conversations I do have with him deeply interesting. Any person can tell quickly into a conversation with him that he is intelligent and creative. He is not always limited by reality, though he is deeply aware of it. His actions and comments make you feel as if you are talking to a much older person.

People are Alex’s main point of frustration. He fears restrictions that authority figures can place on him. He is frustrated by the badgering of his brother, Lou, and the constant stream of noise that seems to run from Lou’s mouth.

His obstacles are the activities put into place by others, like school and chores, and the people that enforce these activities. Besides people, he is frustrated greatly by failed projects. With the world so clearly structures and his obvious intelligence Alex expects his creations to succeed.

Alex’s deepest needs are autonomy and fun. 

 While he doesn’t seek knowledge and athleticism necessarily out right, they are obviously valuable to him.  Alex measures his success similarly to other kids. Time to play outside or a video game is an obvious sign of success. His grades are already a point of competition between him and his brother. A high grade on an assignment is brought up quickly and willingly, while a poor one is hidden. Winning, above all of these, exhibits the most excitement from Alex. In all board games, video games, games outside, or even in instance where the other party was not aware they were in competition with Alex, the bragging rights of a win are the utmost award.   

While rules are an obstacle for Alex, his brother, Lou, can also be a difficult enemy. As his twin, Lou provides built in competition in every activity, school exercise, and game. Alex can also be an obstacle to himself. He becomes frustrated if he feels like he lacks ability in an area and might quickly become unbelieving of himself.

Alex’s world isn’t easy for me to understand. I can’t keep quiet for twenty minutes at a time, much less spend a whole afternoon alone buried in a book, but I’m guessing Alex doesn’t feel alone. Alex’s head is filled with so many ideas and possibilities that often the most interesting and busy place is inside of his own mind.