Mistaken Identity

I have a recurring dream where I found myself as the keynote speaker at a conference. The details change, but the subject is always something of which I have no knowledge. A recent example was that I was speaking in front of the American Society of Electrical Engineers. I have no idea if such a organization exists, but I do know that I know nothing about electricity or engineering of any type. I usually stumble through my presentation, but I stick to topics of which I have some knowledge like literature, philosophy or politics. The audience is always polite until the question and answer period. This is where I usually wake up in a frisson of panic.

I do not what these dreams reveal about me, but I know that I can sympathize with Guy Goma. If you have not heard of him, he was at the BBC for a job interview when a staffer called out for Guy Kewney. Guy Kewney is the editor of Newswireless and was to appear on the BBC to discuss the Apple Records versus Apple Computers (Ipod) court case. Goma, who is a native of the Congo, misunderstood the staffer and the next thing he knew he was being interviewed live on the BBC. Goma was very confused that he was not being interviewed about the data cleansing position he applied for, but was a good sport and answered all of questions--horribly. He knew little about ipods or the Beatles, but they he managed his way through the interview anyway while the real Guy Kewney was waiting in the reception area. You can read more about the story here or watch the video here.