A transmission in neutral
I tend to feel that I’m a calm, reasonable and hard to annoy person. Of course, I also find myself ranting constantly, so perhaps I’m utterly delusional. One thing however, which annoys me above all things, which is without doubt one of the most common conditions, is when people willingly choose to not apply themselves.
I understand people who don’t have the raw power. I can comprehend the people who have nowhere to go. I understand, shit happens. That all is fine. If you have reached your max, then that’s that - I mean, hopefully you continue to learn and grow, but it is what it is.
What bothers me is when someone capable, intelligent, deep, and unreasonable powerful, chooses to live a life of either ignorance, or to take the path of failure.
It’s not that everyone needs to achieve this white picket college dream. That’s not the goal, not in the slightest, rather, it’s just another display of ignorance within itself. Running off the beaten path and doing something crazy on the other hand, is perfectly acceptable.
It’s hard to put into reasonable words the goal I think intelligent, capable people should set for themselves. (Also be warned I do not consider intelligence a matter of book smarts, but rather the ability to synthesis new information.) I suppose it’s about having a crazy goal, a high degree of dedication, and a serious burning will.
Of course, going to work and taking over corporations is just as legit in my book. So is staying home and producing beautiful art. Two young crazy teens in love, running from their world and responsibilities - in some situations, is legitimate as well (If it can meet the dedication ideal.)
On the other hand, drug use, drinking, and random sex, as a lifestyle, fails all the criteria. So does being an office drone, or being stuck in a stupid marriage. In a way, all of these things are equally bad. It’s a waste of talent, ability, skill, and power. Having a mid size car you hate, a mediocre life, and doing nothing, is just as bad as drinking and sleeping around and doing hard drugs and wasting your life - because that’s all it is, wasting your life.
Doing something amazing, doesn’t have to be within other guidelines. It can be crazy and against all the written rules, and still meet the standards, ala Bonnie and Clyde scenarios. Of course, it can have the appearance of fitting in, and still meet the standards.
This is a very personal standard, and one I’m sure I apply unfairly in a horribly judgmental way. But quite frankly, I don’t care, I feel it’s a legitimate point. It pisses me off when people are intelligent, capable, and powerful, and either drink and screw their life away, or become cubicle dorks for the rest of their miserable existence. Get out there, do something amazing, shock the world, scare your parents, set something or someone on fire (literally or otherwise).
