The hidden process of becoming a CIA agent, from a former spy
Briefly

Espionage is commonly misunderstood by the public, who often envision spies as superhuman figures exemplified by characters like James Bond. In reality, spies are ordinary individuals who excel at remaining unnoticed, lacking the glamorous traits associated with cinematic portrayals. Crafting the right spy profile is essential; various appearances and backgrounds align with different espionage roles. Spies can come in all shapes and sizes, and many personal attributes, including age and fitness levels, contribute to their effectiveness in covert operations.
The public really doesn't realize that they are much closer to CIA spies than they think they are. One of the things that movies get wrong is that they make CIA spies look like they're some kind of superhuman or superhero.
Real espionage is about people who blend in, people who aren't attractive, people who don't get a second look, people who are terrible with women, and people who never drive a fancy car.
There's really a place for people who look all different types. There's a place for the very young and the very old, the very fit and the very unfit.
Espionage requires a wide range of different types of look and appearance; it's not just limited to one stereotype.
Read at Big Think
[
|
]