What is an introduction? If you say, “Hello, my name is Josh”… Have you really introduced yourself? The complete definition of an introduction is: the act of formally making persons known to each other; a presentation or making known of one person to another by name; as, the introduction of one stranger to another. [1913 Webster]

But with the first definition being the most commonly used, one could infer that the exchanging of names is not enough to be considered an introduction, right? Or is it because this is a formal introduction, you don’t have to know the person as an individual? Because in that case “Hello, my name is Joshua Thompson” would be perfectly acceptable.

Entry One, 1990

I don’t like beginnings.

But if you read a story without starting at the beginning, you’re bound to leave empty-handed. You won’t know why a person reacts the way that they do, how they got into their situation, or even if the situation was at one point in their control –because, honestly, that’s what determines how you will relate to a particular person.

A story without a beginning is essentially “a presentation or making known of one person to another by name”. A name does not distinguish character traits; it’s the bare minimum.

So in English, I don’t like people getting to know me.

I’d say I’m not very trusting, but then I wouldn’t be able to justify writing. Maybe I’m scared. Everybody is so full of expectations and advocates “living fast and dying young”. Nobody wants to slow down. Why should the best time of your life be spur of the moment? What about the little savory details?

You’re probably wondering the same thing everybody else does: what does he know about life? He’s thirteen!