If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. -C.N.
A couple weeks ago I watched a very bad and disturbing movie in my social class. The acting was the bad part - it was disturbing only because it was a true story. This low budget 70's movie called The Wave showed how easily people can be misled. A teacher started to use his class as lab-rats to see how quickly they'd give in to fascist thinking. Before long they were all doing a stupid salute, spying and threatening anyone who disagreed with their thinking. The movie brought an expression you've probably all heard to mind: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." Yes, I know that it's a cliché, but there is definitely some truth in it. I know that all of you have at least general ideas of what you believe, but that's not enough. How much would it take for you to back down from your stance? Probably there are few things that we'd be willing to die fighting for.
My point is this -- I believe that we should all stop going along with what's going on in our self-destructing world, and seriously stand up for our convictions. Obviously, at least some of you won't agree with me, but if you did, that would prove my point more strongly. I'm going to just mention two things that we all might want to think about. Decide first of all what you know to be truth. If you know that's something's a lie, you probably won't want to put your life on the line for it. If you've decided to stand for Twinkies, that's great, but what good is it going to do? Simply try to stand for something that works. If you're not sure quite what you believe, try to figure it out - ask around and look on the net. If history has proved to you that an ideology has been effective, it will have a personal and drastic impact on your life. If you see that it's helped someone else, then it's probably worth standing for. Otherwise, don't waste your time.
Second, don't just talk about it, do something. It's all fine and dandy to think that drunk driving is wrong, but if you don't take precautions - not driving drunk or trying to prevent your friends from hurting themselves -- your little philosophy bites. Even if you do have strong feelings on a subject, if you don't live it, slowly your own convictions will fade. You need to decide how you'll react in a situation before it comes up. Basically there is no way that you'll stand under pressure if you can't stand up for your convictions around your own friends. Some people might think that it's odd when you start fighting for the truth, but for goodness sakes, at least you have a mind of your own.
Are You Annoying?
I was studying hard one afternoon at lunch, surrounded by other innocent, over-worked or procrastinating students. Unbeknownst to us, our ears were about to be brutally assaulted by...the Hyena girls. Off in their own corner, these girls periodically brayed with the laughter that could best be described as somewhere between a stuck pig and a fat person sneezing to death. Whatever they were studying must have been hilarious too (my guess was Physics), because sure enough, every five minutes or so, one or both of them would start giggling, then the other, and soon enough both of them would be neighing and honking uncontrollably. It sounded like a donkey conversation with an open bar. The rest of us in the Library shared grimaces and pained looks, but no one said anything to the girls. Perhaps we were hoping they'd stop or leave, or asphyxiate in mid-honk and die. But really what we were all secretly hoping was for someone to tell them just how annoying they were being.
See that is the thing about annoying people: they never realise it. And most people are too polite to say anything, hoping that someone else will tell them, or that they will magically realise it themselves one day and just stop. Sadly, this will never happen. Therefore, as a service to all mankind, I have devised the following set of tips on how NOT to be annoying. If you find yourself recognising any of these behaviours, traits, or habits as your own, please stop. You'll be doing everyone a huge favour.
1. Do NOT flash your high-beams at me on the highway. My lights are already dimmed you cretin, and who are you anyway, King Defender of the Highway Lighting Patrol? Let's see how you like some halogen in your eyes! Ha Ha Ha!
2. When in a restaurant, do NOT be a cheapskate. Don't ask for separate bills. Tip well. Your friends hate covering for your cheap butt, so always make sure to leave enough. Double the GST if math isn't your strong point. (10% was the norm about 20 years ago).
3. Do NOT share every vital insight or experience you've ever had with the rest of your class. We don't care. Learn how to shut up without prompting or physical violence.
4. Do NOT tell you-had-to-be-there stories to people who were not there.
5. Do NOT grow up in Raymond or Coaldale.
6. Do NOT do imitations of anyone unless you are 100% sure that you are accurate and funny. Chances are, you're not.
7. Do NOT bring a cell phone into a classroom, movie theatre, or bar.
8. Do NOT ever speak the following words: Woody Allen is funny, Rita MacNeil is a hottie, or majoring in Fine Arts was the smartest thing you ever did.
There! Eight simple everyday techniques for avoiding chronic annoyingness (yes it is a word). Follow these, and I guarantee your social life will improve, your Mom won't always be just leaving the house when you call, and I won't throw textbooks at you in the library anymore.
The Real Deal or a Cheap Imitation? --Anon.
I have to give Trevor Gemmel major props for being so up front about the identity crisis that so many of us (young and old) suffer while trying desperately to conform to society. Is fitting in really worth a loss of who you are? Why can't we accept everyone's individual persons and allow people to be different without fear of persecution? It's sad to see yet another girl starving herself just to be accepted and others buying thousands in Tommy and Nike so they don't stick out. Incidentally, Tommy Hilfiger's racist and Nike clothes are manufactured in sweatshops. Do you want to support this kind of inhumanity? Sorry I got off track, but it's a relative point. Anyway, back to the main issue. Why are we so afraid to be ourselves and accept others that do the same? In the sixties, people didn't care about clothes or cliques; they just accepted everyone for who they were. Maybe it's time to take a step back and follow the example of the loving generation. So tomorrow morning when you go to get dressed for school, try worrying less about what others want you to wear, and more about what you want. Also make that extra effort to make friends with new people no matter what they wear or who they hang out with. It's not that hard once you get the ball rolling.