Jason Noble’s Sept. 29 column, “Say goodbye to love, hello to social advancement,” was sadly another testament to society’s diminishing respect for the true essence of life.

I too can imagine a world without love, and I cannot imagine anything more terrifying. The human race would become nothing more than a group of machines, programmed to complete their daily tasks, with no ultimate goal other than to pave the way for more meaningless labor. “Social advancement” will never be won without love guiding its path. Mahatma Gandhi put it well in saying, “When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love has always won.” Compassion for fellow human beings is the sole motivator for social advancement.

Most articles about love, and undoubtedly this one, are centered on a reaction to the “unfairness” of interactions with the opposite sex. Relationships are never easy, and I would agree that in many cases they end on a sour note. Just because the difficulty of taking part in love’s game seems so insurmountable, it is not a justification to give up on love, because love will never give up on you. Kahlil Gibran said, “And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.” Love is undoubtedly a difficult force to understand, but the only way to lose is to turn your back on its endless possibilities.

I am a member of the romantic camp — I am among those who believe that there is one unique person who shines the brightest among all the stars in my sky. I do not need Hollywood to guide my opinion: I need only to find the answers within my own heart. From personal experience I certainly agree the quest to find my angel is not without its detours and dead ends. However, I will never be discouraged, even in my sad times, as I know that someday I will be among the blessed ones — those who have found their one love, their best friend and their partner to share in life’s greatest gift.

In conclusion, I would like to return to the idea of a life without love. There is a flaw in claiming that without the “distraction” of love we could eventually learn to live eternally in a society free of problems.

This is flawed when you realize love and life are intertwined, two dancers in the grand performance of life. Without love, life would cease to have meaning. The romantic, J. Ghetto, stated: “Love is a sign from the heavens that you are here for a reason.” I encourage everyone to act on that reason and open his or her heart to the endless possibilities love has to offer — the worst that could happen is your life may be transformed forever!

Brandon Carr

Senior

Psychology