The Gadfly
The Gadfly
Have you ever encountered a gad fly? Like many of us, I know of others who thought they were wise but as long as they kept out of my way, I didn't bother with them. I was a medical student and I was trying to find my place in the world. She always offered a polite smile and asked how things were going. I always smiled back and gave her the generic response,"I am good. How about you?" She would say, "I am always here if you ever wanted to talk." I found that a bit weird. Who would want to talk to a stranger? What would I say? Besides, she wasn't even a doctor. She looked like a nobody.
The encounter
My friend, invited her to talk to us one day. I was very uncomfortable and got up to leave. She smiled in her usual way and asked me why I was leaving.
Me: I need to get back to my books, I am too busy for this idle chat. Besides what would you have to offer me? I am a medical student, top of my class, you are a nobody!
She seemed unaffected by my slant.
She: Why do you want to be a doctor?
Me: Because I can help others, obviously!
She: That is a very noble intent. Do you always help others out? Would you mind helping me figure something out?
Me: Sure, I am the guy everyone asks for advice. I am fit to help you.
She: Please don't mind me asking you a few questions then. Why do you want to help people?
Me: Because, it is the right thing to do.
She: Why do you want to do the right thing?
Me: Because I am a good person. I have always been taught to do the right things by my parents and teachers. As a matter of fact, I didn't even want to be a doctor, but my parents and teachers convinced me that it was the best profession. I would have money, and society's respect while helping others.
She: Why do you want money and respect?
Me: You are conveniently skipping the 'helping others' part.
She: So would you help others even if you were not being paid or if it led to disrepute?
Me: Obviously not. That would not be wise. I would like to be reimbursed for my knowledge. I don't believe in charity.
She: Fair enough but you didn't answer my question about money and respect.
Me: I want to be able to buy the good things and be considered by others as a successful person.
She: Why?
Me: Because that is a good life. Are we done?
She: Not quite, I haven't gotten my answer yet, you said you would help me so please bear with me. Why do you want a good life?
Me: Because I want to be happy.
She: Aah! I get it. One final question; Why do you want to be happy?
Me: Umm...
She: You know what you need to do to be happy but you don't understand what Happiness is?
I was dumbstruck and I was embarrassed. She made me look like a fool in front of my friends. She started talking about relationships between moderation, justice, happiness, and the good life. I could not stand this philosophical discussion. What a waste of time. I got up and left. I was angry with her and my idealist friend who invited her.
The resolve
I was going to be a doctor, rich and successful. My parents and teachers were going to be proud of me. Society would respect me and those who ever doubted me would be envious of my status. I needed to find a way for this gadfly to be banned from interacting with medical students lest she wastes their time with this idealist talk. First, I would need to find others who felt the same way and get organized.
The reason
She may be wise but she should keep that wisdom to herself and we won't bother about her until she tries to impart her wisdom to others. That makes us angry.