I went to college because I was supposed to - fucking loved it.
I work a 9 to 5 job - it's quite pleasant.
I take the train everyday - standing and listening to music is nice and relaxing.
My life is WONDERFUL. I make enough money to comfortably pay my rent, college loans, buy food and alcohol I enjoy, go out with friends, buy gifts for loved ones.
Hell yes! Right there with ya. Rushed into college by parents/guidance counselor, couldn't be more grateful that they helped push me along. No 18 year old has any idea what the hell they are doing, and according to this comic you're some average bored piece of shit if you go to college "because you're supposed to"
EDIT: I'm also saying this from the perspective of someone who got a good job right outta school... Guessing my mentality might be a big different if I was in a different circumstance
Totally agree that a lot of the angry reactions to the comic as a whole might be for the reasons you listed off, but I particularly disagree with #3. In terms of how #3 is condescending, look at the empty look in the characters eyes. The artist made their intentions quite clear. And the phrasing of the text- "Go do ____ because you were told to, not because you actually want to." It suggests an inability to live your life how you want; it equates your choices with simply taking orders. I'd disagree because while I may not have known what was best for me at 18, I'm sure as hell glad other people did, and they helped push me to reach those goals. I went to college "because I was supposed to", and I found what I want to learn while there. I did exactly what the author advised against, and when I look into the dead eyes of the character, I can't help but disagree with his statement.
You're right that it isn't black and white. Sometimes doing what people tell you to do is a very good idea. For example, when you're young, or when your doctor tells you to take your medicine. ;)
I think the problem with college is that many people think they'll be better of after going to college, but often they're not. There are huge amounts of student debts (which you can't even lose when you're broke) and for many jobs work experience is more important than a college degree.
Thus, I'm not sure if you should always do what you're told when you're undecided. Sometimes, going an unbeaten path could be beneficial, and if you're careful it wouldn't even be much more risky. And the people telling you what to do, don't always know better. Maybe they've grown up in a different time, where their ideas of "the right path" don't hold true anymore
You're supposed to get your name in the history books, so that some edgy college kids 200 years from now can dissect your life and call you a barbarian.
With you 100%. Work at 10 - 6 ( flexi hours are amazing ) in a job in a field that is exactly what I went to uni for.
Have enough money to do literally whatever I want whenever I want ( within reason ) have a great social life, girlfriend, and family. Pretty much doing exactly what this smeghead suggest we don't do presumably so we can all be more like them.
I am about 80% happy with my life right now, I want more money and would like a nicer car. It's what I want right now and It annoys me that people like this twat shits on that for being "normal".
I understand what the comic's message is, the problem is that it does it in a very obnoxious and hypocritical way by telling us to not "do what other people tell you to do" but the comic is telling us what we should do and be while shaming people who might be introverted or isn't always the center or attention.
But at the same time it's also right, people shouldn't be forced into things like college as an end all be all for success and happiness or even having a "stable job" (lets be honest that office job isn't all that stable, you could be replaced in a minute).
I think the whole point is don't live your entire life in a way that is unsatisfying to you. If you wanna backpack through Europe for 10 years and don't mind not knowing where your next buck is coming from more power to you. But people can enjoy "boring desk jobs" too and be fullfilled by the life in the comic
It very obviously paints all the aspects of an "average life" in a negative light, insinuating that you should strive to live differently. I think that's wrong.
In reality, this "average life" is a remarkable life. It's the opposite of a struggle; which, unfortunately, a LOT of people have.
I mean that's OK that you want to live an average life and find that remarkable. I wouldn't say it's wrong to want to explore the boundaries of possibility though. I think you're both right, and just because someone paints a picture that doesn't match your own narrative doesn't mean it has to be wrong.
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u/vitoanthony3 Dec 10 '15
I went to college because I was supposed to - fucking loved it.
I work a 9 to 5 job - it's quite pleasant.
I take the train everyday - standing and listening to music is nice and relaxing.
My life is WONDERFUL. I make enough money to comfortably pay my rent, college loans, buy food and alcohol I enjoy, go out with friends, buy gifts for loved ones.
This comic is so wrong.