The physics of getting fired
Physics offered me a sense of order and purpose. But when life got messy I realised it had a much deeper insight to give - by Zahaan Bharmal Read on Aeon
In the summer of 2001, after completing my first job as a management consultant in London, I received a call informing me that I was being let go by my firm. The senior partner, whose nickname was the Burger King due to his daily Whopper Meals, delivered the news in a call that left me stunned. Having just moved back into my old room with my parents, I felt overwhelmed by the abrupt change.
The meeting had been arranged in a location that required only a single flight of stairs down, ensuring no one could witness the moment. This unexpected event led me on an unexpected journey, where the principles of physics, which I had once thought I'd left behind, became a source of solace and guidance through the complexities of life.
Physics, with its fundamental laws of cause and effect, had always provided structure and predictability to me as a teenager who struggled with social norms. As I navigated my career transition, I found myself drawn to subjects beyond physics, such as politics, economics, and business. However, I soon realized that the principles of physics held lessons that extended beyond the laboratory.
The clarity and logic of physics became a guiding force in my new pursuits, helping me make sense of the uncertainties that came with change.
Written by urgent.news from Aeon's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
