A Little Touch Up (10.3)

"Portrait of Dora Maar" by  Pablo Picasso (1937)This artwork may be protected by copyright. It is posted on the site in accordance with fair use principles.

Mlodinow argues that "When we paint our picture of self, our attorney-like unconscious blends fact and illusion, exaggerating our strengths, minimizing our weaknesses, creating a virtually Picassoesque series of distortions in which some parts have been blown up to enormous size (the parts we like) and others shrunk to near invisibility. The rational scientists of our conscious minds then innocently admire the self-portrait, believing it to be a work of photographic accuracy"  (201).

For this comment opportunity, you are to write two self-portraits.  In one, you will play the role of a prosecutor painting a very unflattering portrait of yourself, pointing out all of your flaws and failures.  In the other, you will play the role of a defense attorney who exaggerates your strengths and minimizes your weaknesses.  Do not post either description in the comment box below.

In the comment box, you are to reflect on the experience of writing these two descriptions.  Which one was more difficult to write and why?

Are there people in your life who play the role of your prosecutor and your defense attorney?  Do you tend to pay more attention to the prosecutors or the defense attorneys?