Lately I've been having a lot of the same conversation. You've been there. A situation where everyone asks you the same question, and you answer it the same way. Basically you're in the social equivalent of a cold war. Each side keeping up appearences, following procedure, making a symbolic gesture, but underneath both sides want it to escalate or just end. It's like when you go home after being away for college/work/life in general. Everyone wants to feign interest in your activities, knowing full well that if anything monumental had happened they'd already have heard and gossiped about it. It goes something like this:
Psuedo-Interested Party: Hi! Where have you been? What have you been up to?
Completely Dispassionate Responder: Oh you know, not bad. It's good to get away from it... blah blah blah.
Pseudo-Interested Party 2: How has school/work/life in general been?
Increasingly Dispassionate Responder: Not too shabby. It's been fine/alright/third non-commital answer.
Pseudo-Interested Party 3: How are you? Tell me, how has school/work/life been?
Formerly Dispassionate Responder who has just hit his breaking point: I'm quitting school. Journalism is lame, dying, and frankly: unenfuckingjoyable. I have a bachelor's degree and no more tolerance for education. I'm tired of languishing in the stuffy halls of academia when I could be doing things that interest me and possibly making some sweet, sweet cash on the outside. "The outside!" Did I just say that? You see?! I subconsiously associate it with prision. So that's how school has been. ARE YOU HAPPY? IS THIS WHAT YOU WANTED? IS IT, YOU DIRTY BITCH?!
At this point some panic sets in. I firmly believe I could say exactly what's written above and the next words out of the Pseudo-Interested Party's mouth would be (as they always have been) something implying the following: "You're not going to school anymore?! Well that's ok... if you're willing to be a FAILURE! Not everyone has to be successful."
Apparently there's a built in panic when you tell people that you aren't going to do it anymore, and that further you have no intention of continuing in the area at all. Sure I'll stick it out through the semester, but I'm not wasting another six months on something for which I harbor a mounting contempt.
So, this is my formal announcement of my intention to withdraw from the school of journalism. It's been fun (to mock), but I think I'm better suited to other pursuits. Suggestions?
- Scott
P.S. If you'd like to know why I'm withdrawing from the field read the companion post below.
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Panic at the Post-Post-Secondary Educational Facility
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Consider this an official invitation to join my creative group.
ReplyDeleteKeri
Huzzah! A creative group. Now this, I feel, could go either way. It might be the kind of blisteringly awesome group of people who create something like the original Clerks, or it could be a sewing/merlot swilling club.
ReplyDeleteEither way, thanks for the offer ex-wifey.
- Scott
First, I realize that I am one of the people to ask similar questions to the ones mentioned in your blog, but in my defense: I live far away, I don't know you as well as some other faithful readers and my interest did actually exist considering the previous two conditions.
ReplyDeleteSecondly, you said "the next words out of the Pseudo-Interested Party's mouth would be (as they always have been) something implying the following: 'You're not going to school anymore?! Well that's ok... if you're willing to be a FAILURE! Not everyone has to be successful.'"
Well, considering our conversation was just yesterday, I can firmly state that I am apparently the exception to this "fact." I also believe I referred to the alternatives to the hellish school experience as "freaking sweet." Where in "freaking sweet" does one find the screaming accusations of failure?
In conclusion...
So you are leaving school? ROCK ON!
What should you do? CONTINUE TO WRITE IMPRESSIVELY ENTERTAINING MATERIAL FOR THE MASSES.
And those shaking their heads disapprovingly at your departure from school: They can kiss it. I am sure there is some jealousy because they may need the grad school to be successful while you on the otherhand will be able to succeed without it.
That is all...
Heh, I wasn't thinking of you at all J Fi. In fact, if I'd remembered that you asked a similar question I would have specifically said that it doesn't include friends I know (largely) via the internet. This is aimed mostly at prying Jerseyville gossipers. I'd like to say friends of my mothers but it happens in younger groups as well.
ReplyDeleteThe condescension was also something noted chiefly amongst 40+ year olds.
All of that said, thanks for your support and thanks all the more for doing so via dramatic use of capital letters. I hope it doesn't sound sarcastic, because I'm serious.
- Scott
1. Well, I was just covering my bases.
ReplyDelete2. A serious response? I am honored.
3. You're Welcome :)
I was bored with school and tired of teachers who were bored with teaching, by my Freshman year of high school, so I give you major credit for sticking it out as long as you have.
ReplyDeleteAnd, not that I'm much to look up to, but I got a nice accounting job without a college degree, so I don't find myself to be a failure. Well, at least not in my work life...my personal life is a whole other story. It can be fun on "the outside!" Come join us...
Also, I agree that you should keep writing for the masses. I can't make it through an entire work day without checking your blog two or three times a day hoping for an entertaining update!
Oh Scotty, I was you not too long ago. And speaking as someone who refuses to be led by others' expectations, I say Fuck Grad School if that ain't where you want to be. I was told I'd never make it where I wanted to go without a Master's degree but not knowing where I wanted to go (still) it was a less than intimidating threat.
ReplyDeleteI say blaze your own trail. Look for the most interesting job instead of the one that pays the best, suck all the knowledge you possibly can out of it and move on to the next one. I say you have more freedom and more options without a Master's because you're less likely to be pigeon-holed. Look around, try new things, figure out what you like and once you find something you really dig, THEN rethink grad school. That way you're learning what you really want to learn and you're not wasting money on avoiding reality.
You're QUITTING SCHOOL!!??!??!
ReplyDeleteYOU, sir, are a FAILURE!
You will always be a failure.
You will die a nameless failure!!!
I on the other hand, you will be forever required to call "Master French." And if you're lucky, I'll let you eat the leftovers out of my trash can and sleep on the cardboard boxes from one of my many TV's I'm sure to have because I'm so successful...
FAILURE!!!
(at least that's what Mrs. Lewis told me.)
(so when's the next time we're playing Nintendo?)
(and can I borrow $5?)
Perhaps a little group of kids known as The Vines could be of service...
ReplyDeleteWalk the fields and we stare at the ocean
Roll the wheel but forget the notion
Life was better before was smaller
The minds computer with fuck the world up
Live like a dream
I know you want it
Don't feel supreme
Nobody got it
World
C'mon fuck the world
C'mon fuck the world
C'mon fuck the world
C'mon fuck the world
You're not going to stop writing for the masses, are you? I say it's totally fine that you are quitting school!!! Live the dream, Scotty, live the dream.
ReplyDeleteGrade A(my) Woman
P.S. Why won't you accept me as your myspace friend?
Would the tower be the alternative referred to as "Freaking Sweet"?
ReplyDeleteBecause whether or not it was, it TOTALLY is.
ah ha ha ha.
K-to the-immmy, I don't consider you to be a failure either. In your work life. I consider everyone a failure in their personal lives. I realized this profound truth via Behind the Music. I'm not sure "artists" are the best group to base this conclusion upon, but hey it's pretty much true.
ReplyDeleteMelan'Jack, thanks for the advice. I do hate the idea of being pidgeon holed. And it seems that a masters is masteful only in doing so.
Rob, I'm about to pass you. How about that for failure. Huh? Huh?
(Mrs. Lewis was never condescending to me. I think she had a bit of a Mrs. Robinson complex where I was concerned.)
(Just before we go see Eragon, I'll be dressed for the occasion that way I won't miss first call because we were playing Wii Tennis.)
(No.)
Jakey, I fucked the world once. It was at the tail end of 2004. When the Earth got hers, it killed a bunch of people in India. It remains totally her fault.
Grade A(my) Woman, don't worry. The masses shall have to endure me for decades to come.
P.S. Because you didn't send me a message asking me to. I deny anyone I don't recogonize.
Nessa, it would. It looks sweeter every day. I'll have to feng shui my schedual a bit so I can come be your Quasimodo. I'll also have to stop bathing.
- Scott
you clearly misunderstood me.
ReplyDeleteThis is the Mrs. Lewis I was referring too...
See? Totally disapproves.
(Mrs. Gibson isn't a fan either.)
I was online for the better part of 8 hours last night, where were YOU? *laughing*
ReplyDeleteUgh. This not sleeping bit is for the birds. Also, I am now exhausted.
And I forgot to buy chicken livers. Life is a drag today.
Go be a copywriter. It's like journalism without the truth-telling element.
ReplyDelete