7th Volume of the Wide World of the Walrus

"Never settle for anything less that the truth."

- The Walrus
 

The Fight For Control

      If you don't see it around you, then I guess you don't have a clue. It is in an elders nature to want, and even need control over the young. This is an inherent fact, seen throughout the natural world. Of course, eventually, the young prevail to inherit the responsibility of the incoming generation. My question is why is this control so coveted? Why is it that a teacher needs to be older than his/her students? That never made sense to me. Of course experience and wisdom come into play, but why is it the golden rule that the old rule and the young follow? I believe that some people are born to lead, and born to teach. Unfortunately the world doesn't see it that way, for the young are generally thought of as foolish, self indulgent, and just not ready for such responsibility. This is a major flaw in modern society. I believe that a person's merits make that person eligible for whatever they can strive in. We hear stories of 14 year old kids graduating from college, and high school students inventing extraordinary things to aid the world. Why not stories of young people governing countries, or directing movies, or teaching other youths? Why not? The answer: because it takes away what the elders subconsciously need most - control. Think about that the next time you are involved in an argument with your parents and you are right, but receive punishment. Think about that when you can't vote for elected officials, who can pass legislation deeming you unfit to drink, but ok to die on the field of battle. These are questions and debates that must be had, because control is wasted on the old, and kept from the young.

The Smothering of Creativity

      As our world becomes ever processed and manufactured by the book, we are losing our abilities to create. In a world where a college degree is more important than imagination, creativity is being lost to efficiency. This trend is being seen in classrooms throughout the world, where an A is more important than an original idea. Of course people in the fields of medicine and science have always been advancing new ideas and technologies, but this is only from a selected few. Explain to me why a test score is more important than a person's ability to think and create? Computers are built for tests, but not human beings. The world of education is slowly killing off creativity in the world's youth. School just simply doesn't focus on it. They say there's too much curriculum to get through. "No time for such nonsense," they say. Of course basic skills must be taught to survive in this world, but a person shouldn't have to be a mathematician, scientist, historian, linguist, and English professor all together. Specialization is a necessity seen in many fields of work, so why is it impossible to be seen in high school? Why is it impossible for students to have the chance to truly specialize in a particular subject? Not only would this amplify a student's ability to create and contribute to the world, but it would also advance our civilization a hundred fold. Many students get discouraged when they have to work and work at a subject in which they simply are not good at. We must stop this overflow of essentially useless information, and begin accessing the true genius that lies in all of us.

The Night of Charades: After-Prom

      Year after year, one night is given to the senior class to show themselves off and to become what they aren't. The prom is, of course, just the formality for what is later the after prom. After prom 2004 was a crazy one I must say. Yet it just doesn't, nor does any after prom, distinguish itself from the rest. Lets face it, After Prom is really a costume party. People show up with all their glitz and glamour, attitudes changed - where every girl is Paris Hilton, and every guy Snoop Dogg. I walked throughout the Sunset Mansion, quietly surveying the crowd, which made it near impossible to get through the dance floor. It was amazing to see everyone let themselves go, amidst the gray haze and earth shaking beats. People who you thought you knew were no more once inside this party. And over course everyone thinks they are it, all eyes on them, when they are just another character in an incredibly vain attempt to have fun. Of course most of the crowd was drunk beyond help, but they still had their senses about them. They knew what they were doing, what they were saying, etc. I guess what I am trying to say is that After Prom is just one big catwalk, with everyone fighting for the spot in front of the camera.