Seeing Inside
George doubted anyone would tell him the truth about what they thought of him. To find that out, he had to read their thoughts, see inside their minds.
He built a helmet.
It covered his head, eyes and ears. On the outside, he looked like himself. That morning, he drove to work, parked, and walked into his workplace. The receptionist smiled at him and thought Wish he’d shower. He went to his office. His secretary smiled and put some papers on his desk, thinking This loser is such a waste of my time. He’s going nowhere, me with him. Then Fred, his immediate subordinate came in. This loser is such a waste of my time. He’s going nowhere, me with him.
George was devastated. He told his secretary he was sick and went home. Trembling, he went into his apartment and to the washroom, looked in the mirror. What he saw was a depressed, overweight man growing bald. And he heard his own thoughts: I only work because then I am not ignored. I wanted to be a carpenter who built shelves for precious possessions.
The next day George quit his job and rented space for a carpentry shop. His handmade bookcases sold quite well. He showered regularly. His hearing others’ thoughts its results inspired anyone who knew. He eventually made his helmet freely available. For a time there was chaos but eventually the basic good nature of humanity took over.