Implicit Egotism

An interesting article plopped its way down on the front page of today's NYTimes. Explaining the phenomenon called Googlegangers (google twins), the article explains how people are using google to find others who share their name. Fascinating interactions have been possible through this new way to "find yourself." Stephanie Rosembloom explained what impels us to be interested in others who share out name. One explanation comes from social science. She explains, "A psychological theory called the name-letter effect maintains that people like the letters in their own names better than other letters in the alphabet." Hmmm. Dr. Brett Pelham calls it implicit egotism. "We've shown time and time again that people are attracted to people, places and things that resemble their names, without a doubt," he explained. To me its an ironic little finding, and it resonates here, that we "human beings are unconsciously attracted to things that remind us of ourselves. "