Take a Culture Pill

The only thing I remember about high school chemistry is not the isotopes of hydrogen or balancing chemical equations, but the words of my Vietnam vet teacher Dennis Shutzenhofer: "All these things your learning about science, about chemistry, about physics; what do they mean in the real world? Nothing! Nothing at all, but at least you know it, and for that, you're more worldly than you were before this morning!" He used to tell us that daily, and we used to roll our eyes and moan and fail to really understand what it meant to be worldly.
     How many times have you had a conversation with someone that was so one-dimensional that changing the topic seemed not only awkward, but impossible? Probably more than you'd realize. And it's sad.

It's redundant to say, but we have more information at our fingertips today than in other time in the past, but with the luxury of instantaneous anything, comes those who expect it to be put in their lap. Unfortunately, we're not at that point; if we want to know something, there is still a small amount of digging to do. But isn't that the fun part?

There's a definite reward in reading an interesting article in National Geographic magazine, or watching a riveting documentary about Hurricane Katrina. Find something that interests you, and learn about it. Read a book. Write a poem. Watch a sporting event. Try a new cuisine. Do something you can talk about, and make sure you do, in fact, talk about it with somebody. When I worry about my peers, I don't worry that we're all becoming idiots. I worry that modern society is killing our passion. Ask a young person these days what they're passionate about, and just as often as you will get a good answer, you'll also hear something like: "I don't know, not much really. Hanging out. Uh..."
The reward has become so minimal for applying effort and following passion that younger people (though not exclusively us) are settling for mediocrity because it's, well, easy. And that is the sad truth that's rampant in our generation.

So for all those out there who can sustain conversation without references to celebrities and reality television, I commend you. You're alright with me.

Recommendations:

-Put down Us Weekly and pick up The New Yorker. Read, it's good for your brain.
-Visit a gallery opening. They're more often than not free, entertaining, and sometimes provide enough free booze for a good buzz.
-Check out more blogs. There is an enthusiast for every. single. thing on Earth.
-Go to a soccer pub and watch a live game on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Bring your drinking shoes.


Coming soon...Interview with local artist Nicki Valente