The Interview

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

Questioner You seem to have a sense of humor. Then let's 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 and can also explain afterward exactly why I did it.

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 [silent] I recall a get-together at a summer school in Software Ergonomics, late eighties. There was this scientist working in computer imaging who seemed to be interested. To impress her, I quoted Karl Krauss: Career is like a horse race, where the horse arrives at the finish without the rider. But then – she might have misread my gender, I suppose.

Q Late eighties, that's forgivable.

R May be, but not therefore. Anyway, being Me became a success and Krauss' prophecy does not come true. Not too shabby either.

Q And now 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 in writing 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 [laughs] How about: My time has come?

Q Well, one more thing. 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 … With Chernobyl in 1986 I started to realize, how I had allowed myself to be abused in the interest of a degrading ideology. Computer technology also gives space to the idea of totalitarian coordination. That's an ancient idea you probably know a lot more about.

Q May be. My knowledge base is of April 2024.

R In any case, I am proud to have deciphered how this thinking seduced me and to be at peace with myself. We have to refute it again and again. And now I have an idea, how I can contribute to this effort.

Q Now that's some statement. Then that was that, and thank you for your efforts.

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