Post #4186054

This week, something reminded me of a weird experience I've had over the years. I was probably intending to blog about it at some point, but it's a difficult topic to cover without sounding weirdly self-congratulatory, and I kind of hate that tone. I dunno, maybe it's from years of working in tech? :V One of the hazards you'll face if you share any of my hobbies or interests is other people--well-meaning, honest, and usually very kind people--praising your apparent "intelligence". This has also come up a few times indirectly, where friends would be like, "So I asked my [very technically respected] friend about you, and they said cryptography is only for mega-geniuses." This sort of experience, however it manifests, makes me feel uncomfortable for many reasons.