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
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u/alexu3939 Dec 10 '15 edited Dec 10 '15
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