Goa's a Vibe
In Goa right now, and it feels like a great recovery for what had been a traumatising 'final' interview with Plum.
Saurabh from Plum ripped me to shreds. Called my prompting 'shitty', my Lossfunk project a 'simple python script' and nothing's agentic. Most of what I've built is unimportant. Man, never knew that despite building such a massive company, he still loves to crush the hopes of 22-year-olds. Must wonder how he would've slept after doing this.
In all honesty, the interview took me aback. Left me shell-shocked and questioning my own self-worth. I tried to initially rationalize it by claiming Anuruddh or August interviews would've been the same, but they weren't? They were way more kind, polite and human, even? This dude just tore into me without any kindness.
Well, all I'd say is fuck him. Fuck him. He has built a generational product, something I'd argue is really helping all of India. But deep down, he really just views it as yet another product. Yet another attempt in trying to sell something and profit from. I dislike him for sure. And no matter what's in store, I'm going to hold this against him.
But Goa has helped me in healing. In moving on.
The past two days allowed me to ease off the pressure. To re-focus, re-direct and re-orient my efforts for the future. I do feel that this intentional re-focusing was a worthwhile affair, something I think I must indulge myself more in, too. For all the abuses hurled at me through that interview, one thing became evident. To build something of class, there's a high bar. And I'm not close to it. Time is my friend here, but it only rewards those who are intentional and actually serious about it.
So I focus now. I focus on becoming an articulate writer. A master of prose and finance. The interview has rightfully taught me to specialise in a list of fields but generalise within that field. I specialise in Finance, but generalise across asset classes. And generalisation implies familiarity across all, yet to continue specialising.
It's a well-intended generalisation after a targeted specialisation within one broad field.
To say I'm over the Plum interview would be grossly incorrect. I find myself a little in shock. You could think of it akin to finding myself in the Valley of Despair. I realise I don't know anything, anything in regards to applied AI. And improving is the only way forward.
I keep dwelling on how I don't know where the bar is, and no matter how much I learn I can't keep getting higher. But I will, and I think time and luck is on my side.
My fortune changed, as I think of a lovely sight I witnessed yesterday.
Zugunruhe is a concept defined by birds who exhibit a form of 'migratory restlessness' brought upon a host of factors that lead to a bird craving to fly south in search of greener grass. Yet, this behaviour is debated. Here's my two cents.
As I found myself lying on the beautiful sands of Colva Beach, courtesy of Hotel Beleza, the skies were enveloped with crows. Cawing and hopping about the sand, they were an unwelcome sight. I've always hated birds, especially pigeons, yet if they were at their distance, we'd maintain an unfamiliar ease.
However, one particular crow caught my eye. Unlike most birds, gliding along the coastline, this crow fluttered differently. In an act of protest, it faced the ocean head-on.
Was it to test the skies, or to resist them, I do not know.
Yet, it tried.
It tried once. Failed.
Twice. Failed.
Yet every attempt, it kept inching closer to the sea and trying again.
Though the winds from the ocean managed to repel every attack the crow could throw at her, I knew for a fact that one day she'd give in. One day, the crow might finally win.
And now, maybe, I don't dislike crows so much anymore.
Goa is beautiful. South Goa, in particular. We surprisingly made it in 8 hours on a road trip here. Despite the broken roads, the 11-hour estimated time was too. Dad and Supra are pretty good drivers! But man, I want to drive the Benz too. Mom, as usual, has thrown her tantrums but at this point, we're getting tired/used to it.
It's a great family trip, one that I've deeply enjoyed. Little confused about the image my parents found painted about me, but I think I'd love to have more of these.
Spending time as a family really does warm the heart. With them, I'm not too worried about being judged. But this resort experience makes me want to build a future where staying at such 5 star resorts is the norm and not exception whenever we as a family tavel.