We use genres to sort movies. You know if you’re in the mood for a comedy, a thriller, or one of those documentaries about a guy who befriends an octopus. It’s a neat, tidy way to categorize stories.
The other day, I was at a party, and it hit me. It wasn’t just that people were different—they seemed to be operating on fundamentally different software. Some people were driven by a need to connect and create harmony. Others were clearly on a mission to challenge every idea in the room. A few were just quietly, intensely focused on building the most structurally sound tower of cheese cubes imaginable.
It felt less like a collection of personalities and more like a mashup of different movie plots all happening in the same room. And I started wondering: what if that’s the key? What if we all have a primary “genre” that dictates the story we’re trying to tell with our lives?
This sent me down a classic late-night rabbit hole. I started thinking about the people I know, and it felt like they were all being powered by a different kind of internal engine. It’s like everyone has a little guy in their head—let’s call him the Life-Story Director—and this Director is obsessed with a particular kind of plot.
So, after way too many hours of thinking about this instead of sleeping, I’ve come up with a few of these “Human Genres.” This isn’t science, it’s just… a thing I noticed. See if you recognize anyone.
1. The Artisan (The “I Made a Thing!” Genre)
You know these people. Their happy place is a workshop, a kitchen, a garden, or even a glowing screen of code. Their Life-Story Director is a quiet, focused character with ink-stained fingers and a deep, almost spiritual satisfaction from turning idea-stuff into real-stuff.
The Artisan’s story isn’t about fame or fortune. It’s a slow-burn drama about the beauty of the process. It’s about the feel of the wood, the smell of the sauce, the perfect logic of a line of code. Their plot is a series of quiet, deeply fulfilling scenes of creation. They are the masters of “thing-ness.”
2. The Explorer (The “What’s Over That Hill?” Genre)
The Explorer’s Life-Story Director is basically Indiana Jones mixed with a philosopher. They have a crippling addiction to the “new.” New places, new ideas, new experiences, new food, new ways of thinking about the universe. Their internal monologue is just the word “WHY?” on a continuous loop.
Their story is an adventure film. It’s filled with scenes of them buying a one-way ticket to a place they can’t pronounce, or staying up until 4 AM reading about quantum physics, or getting into a three-hour conversation with a stranger about the meaning of life. For the Explorer, the treasure isn’t the gold at the end; it’s the ridiculously dangerous and confusing map itself. The questions are the whole point.
3. The Guardian (The “I’ve Got You” Genre)
The Guardian’s Life-Story Director is like a fiercely protective mama bear who also happens to be a world-class project manager. Their entire being is organized around one core principle: taking care of the pack.
They are the parents, the teachers, the doctors, the responsible friend who makes sure everyone gets home safe. Their movie is a heartwarming drama (with occasional thriller elements when someone they love is in trouble). Their motivation isn’t a grand, abstract ideal; it’s the visceral, gut-level need to protect, nurture, and support. They are the bedrock, the foundation upon which everything else is built. Their superpower is showing up.
4. The Visionary (The “But What If…?” Genre)
Okay, these are the crazy ones. Their Life-Story Director is a wild-eyed inventor who lives 50 years in the future and is constantly frustrated that the rest of the world hasn’t caught up yet. They look at a horse and think, “Sure, but what if we put it in a metal box with wheels?” They look at the status quo and see a bug that needs to be fixed.
Their story is a high-stakes sci-fi or a revolutionary biopic. It’s often a lonely, frustrating plot, full of people telling them they’re insane. But they can’t help it. They’re possessed by a vision of what could be, and they’re willing to drag the rest of us kicking and screaming into that future.
5. The Scholar (The “I Need to Understand EVERYTHING” Genre)
The Scholar’s Life-Story Director is a librarian, a detective, and a philosopher all rolled into one. They have an insatiable hunger, not for food or adventure, but for knowledge. They want to collect the dots, connect the dots, and build a beautiful, intricate web of understanding.
Their life is a documentary, a cerebral mystery. The plot is the slow, methodical process of discovery. The climax of their movie isn’t a car chase; it’s the “Aha!” moment when a complex theory finally clicks into place. They are the keepers of our collective knowledge, the ones who dedicate their lives to the quiet, noble pursuit of making the universe a little less mysterious.
6. The Performer (The “Are You Not Entertained?!” Genre)
The Performer’s Life-Story Director is a flamboyant showman in a sequined tuxedo. They live for the spotlight, the stage, the audience. Their core drive is to express themselves outwardly and create an emotional connection with others, whether it’s through laughter, tears, or awe.
Their story is a musical, a comedy special, or a gripping drama. It’s all about the energy exchange between them and the crowd. They feed on it. This isn’t just about ego; it’s about the magic of shared experience, the thrill of holding an audience in the palm of your hand.
7. The Healer (The “Let’s Put That Back Together” Genre)
The Healer’s Life-Story Director is like a patient, gentle kintsugi artist, the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. They see the beauty in the broken things—broken spirits, broken hearts, broken relationships—and they have an innate talent for mending them.
Their story is a quiet, profound indie film about human connection. They are the therapists, the counselors, the mediators, the friend you call at 2 AM when your world is falling apart. They have a superpower of listening. They create a safe space where wounds can be exposed and gently tended to. Their narrative is about restoration, resilience, and the quiet miracle of making things whole again.
8. The Rebel (The “You Can’t Tell Me What to Do” Genre)
Finally, the Rebel. Their Life-Story Director is a punk rocker with a law degree, and their favorite word is “NO.” They have an internal allergy to authority, convention, and anyone who says, “But that’s just how it’s always been done.”
Their story is a rebellion movie, a gritty tale of defiance against a powerful system. They are the non-conformists, the whistleblowers, the activists who stand in front of the tank. They are driven by a fierce, unshakeable sense of justice and a deep need for authenticity. Their plot is messy, often dangerous, but it’s fueled by the powerful idea that a better, more honest world is worth fighting for.
So, what do you think? Do you see yourself in one of these? Or maybe a mix? I feel like I’m probably 60% Scholar, 30% Artisan, and 10% Explorer who’s too scared to actually go anywhere.
The cool thing is, none of these genres is better than another. They’re just different kinds of stories. And a world with all of them in it makes for a pretty damn interesting movie.