In 7th grade I went to a program for kids with advanced test scores, and met a kid who talked about math the entire time. He challenged me by asking what the mo

In 7th grade I went to a program for kids with advanced test scores, and met a kid who talked about math the entire time. He challenged me by asking what the most boring number was, and I was very pleased with myself to say that the most boring number couldn’t exist because it would therefore be interesting due to that trait. The interaction and his name stuck in my mind, even as I entered an era of underachievement. Today he has a handful of degrees, including a PhD/DPhil in Mathematics at Oxford. He has no recollection of or interest in our short meeting that remains lodged in my memory.