(no subject)
This morning I had the misfortune of running into someone from my old job on the V platform. This woman's office was across from my cube, and I'd spoken to her several times, done copyediting for her, even admired her son, who's Nathan's age. She passed me by without acknowledging me, without even recognizing me.
It is said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent, but how is that really? When something faceless and larger than you takes away your livelihood with no warning, and when you suddenly realize that you are no longer anybody and indeed no longer welcome among people you up till then had a decent relationship with, what good is it not to feel inferior? You can stand there in the spot from which your proverbial rug has been pulled out from under you and crow about how awesome you still are, but at that point, isn't it only vanity?
It is said that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent, but how is that really? When something faceless and larger than you takes away your livelihood with no warning, and when you suddenly realize that you are no longer anybody and indeed no longer welcome among people you up till then had a decent relationship with, what good is it not to feel inferior? You can stand there in the spot from which your proverbial rug has been pulled out from under you and crow about how awesome you still are, but at that point, isn't it only vanity?