How does the encounter with the “Other” shape the “self”?
There’s one quote from one of my favorite fashion designers, Yohji Yamamoto. It was translated into Chinese, basically saying that “self” is invisible, it has to run into something, bounce back, then realize the “self”. Thus, run into with something gigantic, horrified, and high standard, one will observe “self”. This is self.
The encounter with the “Other” shape the “self” because we human absorb, exchange, and discard our quality in entire of our lifetimes. The encounter with others exists like a mirror or scale, it reminds us what we are and how we are different. It also allows us to transform. We throw away our imperfections in order to achieve the better self. For instance, Idols or famous figures are adored because they’re being put on a near perfection scale. We want to be like them. Without the encounter with others, we are unable to shape “self” our own. It is impossible. Without a mirror, how do we know what we look like? We will not even have an idea of transforming.
There are no ones in the world who are exactly same or exactly different. We always, will be intersect with someone at some point. And start with this point, we notice each other, then polish or spoil ourselves.
During our lifetimes, we will meet thousands various people. No matter what kind of encounters we get, benevolent or terrible, we always absorb. Then change. Encounters give us experiences and lessons. All little substances of ourself we gain and discard on the path are come from the outcome of encounters.
