I can usually tell from the first moment I start speaking how it's going to go.

They've asked me a question about what I'm working on. Maybe they're just being polite. Maybe they're genuinely curious. And I'm happy to talk about it because I love my work and my hobbies and -- generally speaking -- I appreciate opportunities to share it. And, not wanting to throw them into a bunch of technical jargon, I really try to relate it in entirely non-technical terms. Everyday tasks like going to the ATM or buying things in a store.

But their eyes are already glazed over and here comes their canned response, the one they chose before they even asked the question.

"Oh well I just will never understand computers." "I think I understood about half of that." "So complicated -- I don't know how you do it because I certainly don't get it."

People who have decided they cannot understand computers just shouldn't ask technical questions. I'm sorry, but if you're so committed to not learning then you're also not committed to really listening to me, and you're wasting both our time. You're just waiting for your turn to speak and profess your ignorance like it's an endearing trait. It's not. I'm never trying to explain what I do just so I can sound smart or smarter than you. I'd like to help you understand. But instead here we are: you sound stupid and I sound like a pompous nerd. Great.

I work with neural networks and some personal blockchain projects on the side. I'm not landing drones on Mars, I'm not a neurosurgeon. It's not that hard, but there is a lot to unpack on either of those topics, and as much as I try and am happy to put it in the simplest terms, it's never simple enough. It can't be.

I don't know. It's a hard thing to get off my chest without sounding like I'm getting Cheetos dust on my fedora over here (especially the blockchain part). For the record, I would never do that to my fedora (kidding). I love what I do and I wish I could share it with others but, please, ya gotta meet me halfway, people.

Edit: words.