This is an observation that I have found throughout my life. I have put a name to it as well. This is the "Ken and Kent" personality type. There are a lot of different names for my theory, as I doubt it's original, but I'll go ahead and explain it any how. (What you need to know is that I spent a week in the boundary waters with some guys and two youth leaders named Ken and Kent. Watching them bounce off each other was amusing).
My theory starts with their names. Ken's name ends with an "N" which is a vowel that could be followed by another consonant, but isn't because a Ken is still searching for the perfect consonant to end it with. He will always be thinking of a better one.
On the other hand, a Kent started out with ken and threw a "T" on because he thought it would be good and has been content enough with it since. No real qualms that a different letter might be better.
Kens need things to be perfect and in line. They will double and even triple check things to make sure they are right and in order. Not necessarily obsessive compulsive, but definitely nitpicky, whereas..
Kents' philosophy is to "not sweat the small stuff". He may cut a feature to a project if it seems redundant and usually trusts that checking something once is certainly sufficient.
IN THE FACE OF DISASTER:
It's true that while with Ken and Kent we faced the disaster of getting quite lost in the boundary waters. They handled it in different, and not very calm, ways.
Ken's attitude: WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER RIGHT NOW TO FIND OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS! WHO'S FAULT IS IT?! WAIT NOT IMPORTANT! ALRIGHT DO WE WANT TO GO THAT WAY OR THIS! SOMEONE GET ON TOP OF THAT HLL AND SEE IF YOU CAN SEE ANYTHING! GUYS GET MOVING!
Kent's attitude: I'm done for! Maybe we should call for help? Who's got their phone? Welllll, ok we don't need an airlift... Let's stop and camp there so we can gather our surroundings... don't worry guys we'll be fine, just take it easy ok?
...
Obviously there are upsides and downsides to both reactions. Ken's will probably get more found results, but is extremely obnoxious, whereas Kent will have you lost longer, but you're more likely not to panic. And a final thing is how Ken and Kent refer to each other. Here you go:
Kent on Ken: "Ken is a perfectionist who needs everything to be right, while I have accepted that life isn't perfect and will be happy with that."
Ken on Kent: "Kent wanted to be airlifted out! That guy has no drive at all!"
So in life there are Kens and Kents (I'd like to remind you that they're both great people) and plenty of people in between (I lean more Kentishly in all honesty). Where do you lie?
My theory starts with their names. Ken's name ends with an "N" which is a vowel that could be followed by another consonant, but isn't because a Ken is still searching for the perfect consonant to end it with. He will always be thinking of a better one.
On the other hand, a Kent started out with ken and threw a "T" on because he thought it would be good and has been content enough with it since. No real qualms that a different letter might be better.
Kens need things to be perfect and in line. They will double and even triple check things to make sure they are right and in order. Not necessarily obsessive compulsive, but definitely nitpicky, whereas..
Kents' philosophy is to "not sweat the small stuff". He may cut a feature to a project if it seems redundant and usually trusts that checking something once is certainly sufficient.
IN THE FACE OF DISASTER:
It's true that while with Ken and Kent we faced the disaster of getting quite lost in the boundary waters. They handled it in different, and not very calm, ways.
Ken's attitude: WE NEED TO GET TOGETHER RIGHT NOW TO FIND OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS! WHO'S FAULT IS IT?! WAIT NOT IMPORTANT! ALRIGHT DO WE WANT TO GO THAT WAY OR THIS! SOMEONE GET ON TOP OF THAT HLL AND SEE IF YOU CAN SEE ANYTHING! GUYS GET MOVING!
Kent's attitude: I'm done for! Maybe we should call for help? Who's got their phone? Welllll, ok we don't need an airlift... Let's stop and camp there so we can gather our surroundings... don't worry guys we'll be fine, just take it easy ok?
...
Obviously there are upsides and downsides to both reactions. Ken's will probably get more found results, but is extremely obnoxious, whereas Kent will have you lost longer, but you're more likely not to panic. And a final thing is how Ken and Kent refer to each other. Here you go:
Kent on Ken: "Ken is a perfectionist who needs everything to be right, while I have accepted that life isn't perfect and will be happy with that."
Ken on Kent: "Kent wanted to be airlifted out! That guy has no drive at all!"
So in life there are Kens and Kents (I'd like to remind you that they're both great people) and plenty of people in between (I lean more Kentishly in all honesty). Where do you lie?
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