Pottermore has finally gone up, and after I read J.K. Rowling's thoughts on Number 4 Privet Drive (it's right there at the very beginning), something was sparked in my memory. At the end of this little nugget, Rowling says: "For no very good reason, I have never been fond of the number four, which has always struck me as a rather hard and unforgiving number, which is why I slapped it on the Dursleys' front door."
At first, I thought to myself, "Well, it makes sense to dislike numbers collectively, especially considering how hard math can be, but how could anyone dislike a specific number, without any reason having to do with mental association from an unpleasant experience earlier in life?"
Then I remembered about something I myself do unconsciously, and have done since I could count: I've always personified numbers, and assigned them genders. When I think of the number 1, I imagine a strict old lady schoolteacher (the old-fashioned 1800s elementary school type) complete with pointing-stick and sneer of disapproval. Weird enough for you?
Well, let's go on to the other numbers, through 10.
2 I always pictured as male and rather jovial. I've always seen 3 as a "nice guy" type, though awfully wimpy at the same time. 4 brings to my mind a strong masculine type, 5 I somehow have trouble separating from 1 (there's that nasty teacher again), 6 is a laid-back guy, 7 is a harsh man (and ever since reading the Harry Potter books, I've started to associate 7 with Severus Snape for some reason... don't look at me like that, this is all normally below-the-surface stuff I don't even notice), and 8 is a kind young girl, though a little vulnerable. 9 is a male prankster, and 10 is like the father who keeps them all in line.
Oh, and I've always seen zero as male (no misandric cracks, please).
Every time throughout my life that I've openly thought about this little quirk of mine, I've wondered if I'm not alone, and if everyone else also does this, just unconsciously. Now that I know I'm on the spectrum, I have to wonder if it's an Aspie trait.
Thoughts, anyone?