In a tip of the fedora to contemporary times, Iâve decided to see my life exclusively within the context of data points. (A quick disclaimer: I am not saying I agree with this approach, but itâs paramount in my profession to remain modern in all ways â thoughts and deeds. I heeded this advice many years ago from a coworker on the wrong side of 50 who told me the key to continued employment was, âNever let them see you age.â) The beauty of data points lies in their randomness, exposing the failed concept of life as a story arch with narrative flow. Recent advances in science and technology have shown the life likely is not a Russian novel â full of complex characters and indecipherable plot lines that all ultimately coalesce and end in tragedy and/or heavy alcohol consumption.