behind all the surface composure, there seemed to be a great darkness: an urge to test himself, to take risks, to haunt the edges of things.

What’s your relationship with technology?     we get along pretty well, though I'm starting to fall behind the kids - and that's all right

What do you spend most of your energy on?     eBay listings - research and drafting, photographs and editing, packaging and shipping

Are you aware of any prejudices that you have?     yes

Have you ever felt like your world is falling apart?     I have, yes. The life I wanted, anyway, if not the entire world.

Would you change the past if you could?     without a doubt

Are violent sports ethical?     not sure what this is getting at. I think that "unethical" enters the equation when one or more of the participants cannot consent. (Think dog fighting, or throwing darts at human targets.)

Are you okay with being alone for long periods of time?     wholeheartedly and gratefully, yes. I like to be alone.

Do you see the beauty in things people don’t normally see?     I don't think so? I mean, that sounds like someone imagining beauty out of thin air, which would be weird and possibly a sign of psychosis.

Would you take a 50/50 chance of losing everything you currently have vs becoming wealthy, if all you had to do was push a button?     no, I wouldn't take those odds to lose everything I have

What do you think is the most important thing in maintaining a friendship?     capacity for forgiving

Do you think you should clean up after yourself in a fast food joint if there are employees paid to do that?     oh my gosh, this is so obnoxious and entitled! Do you really think that "they are paid to do that" is a reason to be a slob? It is never, never all right to NOT clean up after yourself, to do whatever is possible to ameliorate a mess YOU have made.

Do you think tattoos must have meaning behind them or is it okay to have them simply as a piece of art?     art is fine - meaning is not necessary

Have you ever enjoyed a strong negative emotion?     absolutely. I've taken pleasure in destroying something, or in a deeply selfish sulk. I've had angry words with someone and not felt guilty (or any similar emotion) about it. I've disobeyed orders, broken laws, and been unnecessarily cruel. Perhaps it's only justification, but I think that's all part of being human.

 

[from here; the title quotation is from Paul Auster in The Locked room]