Pscychopathic Deviates

Yesterday, while getting the results of my psychological evaluation (I had to have a psych exam for an application), I was told a piece of news that I have known for a long time: I am not normal. As a culmination of hours of multiple choice tests, the Minnessota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (a 380 question survey), Rorschach testing, and an hour of consultation, it has been scientifically confirmed that I am not normal (it must be comforting to all of my family, friends, former students, former teachers, co-workers, and employers to have this confirmed in such an empirical way.) Actually, to put it the way the Psychologist described it, “You have elevated levels of PD.”

“What is PD?” I asked.

“Psychopathic Deviate.”

Yes, I have elevated levels of psychopathic deviant behavior.

I am quite shocked that it took such an extensive battery of tests to reach that conclusion. When driving into the clinic, I was sitting at a stoplight waiting to turn left. The sign said, “Turn on green arrow only.” The light was green in the lanes next to me, but I didn't have a green arrow. It was still red, but I turned anyways. Always have. Always will. As long as it is safe. I think this observation could have saved 4 hours of testing and a slightly boring interview. Oh well.

Here's the deal: I don't want to be normal. As my mentor Dave Ramsey says, “Be weird. Be very weird. Don't be normal because normal is broke!” To that, I would add, “Don't be normal, because normal is apathetic, empty, and forgets their dreams at the age of 22.” I want none of these things, so I want to be weird.

I did some research into the details of a "psychopathic deviate". Essentially, it means that I have a disregard for the rules of our world. Well, DUH! Can anybody besides myself figure out where this disregard has come from? It is because I have found that most of the “rules” that many people follow are just cages. Now, I'm not talking about rules like, “Don't kill other people” or “Don't lie.” I like those rules. They undergird the moral fabric of society, and I love this moral fabric. In fact, I cherish it, because it provides me with clear boundaries. They tell me EXACTLY what to do and not to do. However, outside of this non-debatable moral fabric, there exist billions of rules that are not very important, and sometimes even dangerous.

Here are some rules I am fond of breaking:


“The more time you work, the more money you make.” False. You can spend a lot of time swinging a hammer on a tree all day long, but that won't make you much money. Making money is about adding value. If you can add value, you can increase money. We are locked into this factory-thinking of trading time for money. I prefer to trade value for money, and vice-versa.

“Do what you are told.” False. You should do what is right. If someone has hired me, then they should trust that I have the brains to bring it to completion. Tell me what you want, but don't tell me what to do. Give me the freedom to bring your dreams to completion. Don't restrict me by telling me step by step what to do to bring that dream to completion. Every true leader understands this. They hire good people and get out of the way. You should embrace this trust, and seek organizations that have this expectation. If you want to be told what to do, you are soon to be replaced by something that is much better than you at doing what it is told: a machine or a migrant worker.

“You need a job in order to work.” False. A job is nice, but not necessary. There is plenty of work to be done, but not many jobs. Can you find a way to turn work into a source of income? I did, and it wasn't by being a genius. I did it by not following “rules”.

“Turn on green arrow only.” False. Don't turn when there is somebody coming. And yes, I am prepared to receive a ticket. It wouldn't be the first time I was “punished” for not following the rules. I consider it a small price to pay for so much to gain.

Being a psychopathic deviate has led to many great adventures in my life. It takes a psychopathic deviate to stay up until 3 in the morning, listening to State Board of Education podcasts while researching a math book for students in Indiana. It takes a psychopathic deviate to plan a cross-country bike trip with little experience on a bike. It takes a psychopathic deviate to retire at the age of 27. It takes a psychopathic deviate to follow dreams even when other people are busy settling fast asleep to the doldrums of a life of quiet desperation.

I am not normal. Never have been. Never will be. And it has led to a life that I never could have imagined. A quick survey of my surroundings led me to an undeniable conclusion: I DO NOT WANT TO BE NORMAL. Be weird. Be very weird. It is the only way to make your dreams a reality. It is the only way to challenge this world and make it better than you found it.

Normal is boring and empty. Weird is full of possibility. Choose wisely.

My only question: is there ANYONE who takes the road less traveled and is NOT a psychopathic deviate?