He's back! Mr. Technophobe! Oh the irony of me posting about him on the web (I actually feel a little bad about it, but he's fascinating)!
He recently bought a library card (about which he said, "I think it was a mistake to get that. A big mistake.") and when I took it to scan it, I discovered that it didn't have a barcode sticker on it. You can't get a library card without a barcode on it! I mentioned this fact and he said, "I know, I know, I wish they wouldn't put those on there, they're so hard to take off." Stunned silence. Oh. My. God. The man is afraid to have a barcode on his library card. I explained that the card was pretty much useless without the barcode, that it acts as a computer readable form of your name, etc.
"I know, I know," he said,"but I'm just a very private person."
I wonder what he thinks these barcodes do. I explained that libraries take privacy very seriously...and he proceeded to take all his cards out of his wallet and rub at the barcodes. Even the ones printed directly on the plastic.
"I really wish they wouldn't put those on there."
I really wish I had been able to see what the cards were for.
Honestly, I understand his concern for privacy and confidentiality of personal information. You do have to be careful about some things, but a library barcode? It makes me wonder what he's been up to in the library.
One of my student workers is a barrista at Starbucks and she told me that this guy has come in before. He once caused a big scene because he was convinced that they were broadcasting subliminal political messages through the sound system voiced by none other than Bill Clinton. He threatened to call the police. They turned the stereo off immediately. I could tell you what he orders at Starbucks, but I don't want to jeopardize his privacy.
Oh Wells, I actually HAVE my camera here with me...but there is no way to get a picture of him without him knowing. Anyhow, I fear that it would be like stealing his soul or something. Here is a description for you: while deciding what to listen to, he stood at the desk vigorously running his hands through his unruly grey hair for about thirty seconds or more until it stuck up wildly everywhere. He has cotton in his ears.
...Next time he comes in I wonder if I should ask him about conspiracy theories.
2 comments:
Perhaps this man is a brilliant & extreme performance artist. He portrays this eccentric character when he goes out into public, often playing to an audience of one.
I may have gained a little more information on this man yesterday. If it is true, it's very interesting. Not sure if it's true, but it seems likely. A very sad story.
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