I was trying to think about what I should write about this week. Thoughts came and went, so I went through old school papers and books and whatever I could get my hands on. I always try to write about something that will get noticed because, frankly, I like to be read.

I then read yesterday’s Daily, an excellent source of inspiration. I read the opinion column by David C. Ptak, who has earned his name into my column. If you haven’t read it, go get yesterday’s issue and read it. Okay, don’t. Anyway, he was saying how our society is passionless. He said our world “continues to degenerate into a more and more impersonal one.”

This is true, but I’d like to say that we don’t have to let it affect us. I don’t know the cure for society, but I do know who has the cure for individuals within the society.

Jack Kerouac. I would recommend that people read his book On the Road. It is a novel that reminds the reader to live. In a place where so many argue over silly points like posers, true music fans, what is really original and why people wear flannel; the characters of Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty embrace the road and have a love for adventure.

These characters know what the embodiment of life is. It is an escape from the dark forces of time, and knowing that in doing so it is a search for self-discovery. Growing up is simply a series of continuing self-discovery experiences. I think that after some self-discovery, people won’t worry about posers and flannel anymore.

By the way, I wear flannel shirts because my mom has always given them to me. They just happen to be cool now. If someone thinks I’m a poser, then I’m a poser; I don’t care. I know what I am. I’m a crazy love-sick idiot, A or B- student, army veteran, Iowan, 24 year-old male and some other things, who can’t figure out women.

Right now I am just starting to see this woman who is really cool, but in the past it seems like females seem to prefer assholes over nice guys like me. I’m not a schmuck either; I try to be sweet, but women have seemed to like to date some mean guy who just happens to be popular. I almost wonder if girls prefer popularity over love.

This is a generality, I know. Maybe I am a victim of the passionless society David spoke about yesterday. I have learned from these experiences, and figure it is better to keep trying until I find that special one who likes me for who I am as I like her for who she is. A best friend with benefits.

The saying goes that it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. Kerouac would agree. This too, is a part of self-discovery. My sister, Jocelyn, once told me that all the relationships a person gets into are all a part of the road that leads to that certain someone. It just takes patience and smarts to get to the end of that road. So since I am only young once, I might as well enjoy this road.

Finally I want to say how important education is. I will recommend that people live and love while they are young and can escape time, but they shouldn’t forget that if they want to continue feel alive in this passionless society, they must get an education.

Remember who were the only two people to survive in Hamlet: The student and the soldier. Education not only in school, but outside of school. People who forget what they learned are doomed to a life of misery trying to remember they days when they did live.

This was Jack Kerouac’s mistake. The author ended up an alcoholic who lived with his mother after his fame fleeted from him. He died from a failed liver as a middle-aged man. At least when he did live, he lived to the fullest and filled his soul with memories of fun rather than memories of trying to keep up with what is popular, cool and fashionable.

I’d like to finish by saying that despite the fact that the world is becoming impersonal, a person doesn’t have to become like the rest of the world. They can be the exception to rule. A simple compliment to a stranger may brighten their day, but if they act like you are creep, then it doesn’t matter to you because you know who you really are already. Even if you are a creep, then what do you have to lose, huh?

Live, Love and Learn while you are young. It may get you into some strange situations within this impersonal society, but in the end it will make you a better person. Just be sure to use your head while you lose your head.

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Tim Frerking is a junior in journalism mass communication from Pomeroy.