Category: psychology

Impostor Syndrome: You’re Doing Better Than You Think

On By JohnIn psychologyLeave a comment

So, here’s the thing…

I’m 45 and a successful[1] engineer – and I’ve fought intensely with this throughout my entire life. From early grade school, through to today. Even now, I keep thinking that I’m where I am because I’ve been made part of some elaborate joke fabricated by colleagues and peers just to see how far they can push the illusion so they could have a good laugh at my expense. I hope that’s not it, and yet I obsess with the possibility.

[1] Me: “I don’t think I’m successful. Maybe I shouldn’t put that word there.”

Yeah, but people tell you that you are – they respect you.

Me: “Maybe they’re just being nice?”

Maybe they’re being honest?

Me: “Maybe you’re in on the joke!”

Jesus, will you just click the Comment button already?

Me: “But what if…”

Silent “L”

On By JohnIn language, psychologyLeave a comment

In the word “caulk”, the L is silent. Please for the love of all that is holy, please stop trying to pronounce the L.

It’s perfectly acceptable to say you’re going to shove caulk in a crack because context clarifies the meaning.

Sticking cock in a crack, however, is probably not something you could get past censors.

The Paradox of Choice Strikes Again

On By JohnIn psychologyLeave a comment

My 16 year old computer speakers were recently retired – unfortunate casualties of excited dogs playing in my office – and now I find myself in need of a new set of speakers.

So, I pop over to Amazon and start sifting through computer speakers > wired > with subwoofer… I don’t need anything that will shake walls, but I do like realistic audio quality with my music while I work; and headphones aren’t always an option.

But there are so many choices that I can’t choose and now I’m just annoyed with the prospect of having to dig through everything.

Also, honestly, I don’t care what the speakers look like. I care what they sound like. Yet there’s no way to actually hear them before I buy them.