I went on a job interview for a Senior SWE role. They asked me about my experience with Kafka. I told them how in “Metamorphosis” someone can lose their worth in others’ eyes the moment they stop being useful. It’s a chilling reminder of how fragile our sense of belonging can be when it relies on productivity instead of humanity. I told them how in “The Trial” he describes the helplessness of confronting institutions that feel arbitrary, unaccountable, and impossible to navigate. The randomness of a giant system can crush your soul. Our brains can’t handle overwhelming inconsistency. I told them how in “The Castle”, we learn that seeking an approval from an unreachable authority is a trap. If you spend your life chasing validation from humans who don’t care, you’ll end up feeling stuck. The pursuit consumes more than the reward it gives. I didn’t get the job. The market is tough.