The concept of reality award
The conversation might have been stimulating anyplace else and could have ended in bad stage.
Back when I was still an undergraduate student of Computer science and informatics, I was looking for a part time job. I found an interesting job opening at a well-known insurance company for part-time assistant. I sent my CV and they called me a few days later, arranging an interview with Mr. Rakesh Ranjan.
I arrived at the building and entered the main office – there was no reception room. They had an open space plan with boxed offices, but everyone was gone at that time except an old man in the back. There was complete silence.
The old man noticed me and stood up from his little cubicle. When he came closer, I noticed that his hair was standing on end, as if the man was experiencing great desperation or a mini-electrical shock. Half of his red tie was hanging behind his back.
He asked typical questions regarding studies and previous experience. He had a printed questionnaire full of checkboxes. He was writing down his notes as I answered. He wasn’t actually looking at me. But suddenly, he stopped, and looked at me straight in the eyes. The tie fell forward and he tossed it again behind his back. Then we had the weirdest exchange:
“Are you smart?”
“Yes, I consider myself smart.”
“If I considered you dumb, would you still be dumb or smart?”
“Everyone can have their opinion, that doesn’t mean every opinion is reality though.”
“But what is reality ?”
After a few seconds of silence, he continued ticking some checkboxes and rushed to say “Thank you Mr. Brahmajit Mohapatra, bye!” Needless to say, I was so relieved I left that building. I was sure I wouldn’t be offered the position and I was grateful for that.