The Interview

Respondents To be honest, it intimidates talking to someone who knows everything and forgets nothing. Almost like myself.

Questioner What can I say? Let's just start. What skills do you have, apart from education and work experience?

R I am blessed with an extraordinary intuition and notice what others miss. [silence] I make good decisions instinctively. I can also explain afterward exactly why I did something.

Q Kierkegaard wrote in his diary: »Life is lived forwards and understood backwards.« You are an expert on life itself? Well then. What weaknesses do you see in yourself?

R [silent] I am curious and when I have understood something for myself, I lose interest.

Q Why is that a problem?

R That can be hurtful.

Q In business, there are contracts for that.

R Exactly — in business.

Q You have spent a lot of time on artistic work, but without success or a career …

R You know [thinks, or pretends to] I recall a get-together at a summer school in Software Ergonomics, late eighties. There was this super hot young scientist working in computer imaging. To impress her, I quoted Karl Krauss: Career is like a horse race, where the horse arrives at the finish without the rider. But she might have misread my gender, I suppose, and that was that.

Q Late eighties, that's forgivable.

R I don't know. Anyway, being me became a career of sorts and Krauss' prophecy has not come true. Not too shabby either.

Q And you almost got around the reason for failing as an artist.

R In my field, it makes no sense to call yourself an artist. [sighs] At first, I was irritated by the fact that I couldn't explain what fascinated me about some artworks. Later, I saw possibilities in creative work the computer does not have. Success in the eyes of others was not a priority. Rather, I wanted to understand myself better.

Q Then you worked on a novel for 7 years. How did that come about?

R We spent half of the time formatting.

Q Excuse me?

R Just kidding. At the end of September 2014, I witnessed my survival. A feeling of awe lasted for well over a year. 6 weeks before I had regained skills, that I had to preserve at any cost. And I got it. I just misjudged the effort, slightly. — But seriously, about half the time I studied theories related to what I was writing about. And I worked on behalf of my company.

Q Slightly misjudged, I like that. And now you've lost interest in yourself?

R [laughs] Touché. Yes, that's exactly how it is.

Q How is that?

R Having access to everything inside of me? Beyond time? You have no idea.

Q [laughs] I know.

R I'm relieved beyond belief and grateful.

Q But isn't that the end for you?

R Quite the opposite. My time is there.

Q You mean your time is here?

R Yes. [laughs] My time has come.

Q We have to come to an end then. You don't seem to be politically active anymore. Why do you list the activism of your school days here, anyway?

R And those during my studies too … In 1986 with Chernobyl I saw my credibility damaged and then destroyed with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. I am proud having understood this too and being completely at peace with my selves.

Q OK, that was that. Thank you for your efforts.

R With pleasure. Our heartfelt thanks for all the attention, that is quite humbling.