Creation Lake

by Rachel Kushner

Charisma does not originate inside the person called “charismatic.” It comes from the need of others to believe that special people exist.

I don’t have proof. I don’t need proof. What do scientists do? They look for proof. In its absence, they set up models. An experiment, such as the one they designed to figure out how Thals might have hunted choughs. I do not set up models. What I do is live. And because of the way I have lived, I know what is possible.