Prediction

In science, one of the most important tasks is being able to predict what will happen. One of the greatest human desires is to be able to feel like they are in control of their future. To predict what will happen is an intrinsic part of that. We have learned to predict the interactions of subatomic particles and of unimaginably large supernovae. However there is one thing that humans simply cannot take science's word on. Since the beginning of human life, people have been trying to predict. But no matter how smart you are, or how hard you work, it takes your entire life to figure out what will happen after death.

I'm sorry

It is a sad day in the world when even in the country most obsessed with freedom and equality that a man will say to you, "You make a good point. You present it logically, intellectually, and passionately. What you say is incredibly important and affects the entire world, but I'm sorry. You don't have enough money to be right."

Popularity

It has come to pass that in a very large minority, popularity is the most despised of traits. Books like Twilight and artists like Justin Bieber are consistently ridiculed. Of course all pieces in the public eye are open to criticism, but it is amazing why these pieces are made a mockery of. Twilight is a bad book because "vampires are gay." But what about the content? Is the plot full of devilish surprise? Are the themes universally applicable? Is the writing full of witty turns of phrase and rich symbolism? Justin Bieber is a bad singer because "he sounds like a little girl," but does his he have palpably accurate intonation? Does he have stunning range and enthralling tone quality? Nobody cares. And yet the truth is that an opinion made sheerly in protest is as asinine as one made in blind accord.

Passion

A great passion is inspiring. There are people across the world who do nothing but sit on the piano bench or with a violin in their hands. There are people that do love their career so much that they will work into their 90's. Is this not the purest expression of passion; to have a nearly unstoppable compelling feeling of love towards what you do? And yet this love seems selectively dispassionate. If your child spends every hour of his day playing Call of Duty, is he passionate or obsessed? What if he becomes the best player in the world? If the game were soccer or basketball, the answer would be obvious, for this is a passion. Do I have a passion for earning money, or am I obsessed with medicine? Where do you draw the line?

Drummers

Cursed be the drummers, of whom even the most gifted musicians will do little but annoy their listeners.

Blessed be the pianists and those who strum the guitar, of whom the least competent are stared at in wonder.

Time Wasted

I never want to wake wake up Sunday feeling the same way I did on Saturday. If I ever knew that I went through 24 hours of a day unchanged, I could never live it down. Starving children in Africa may want the food you left on your plate, but even Bill Gates wants the week you wasted on your couch.

Dream

It's always been my dream to run away. I don't want to run away forever, I love my friends and family and my life. I just wish I could run away with one person for one day. A day where I don't have to worry about satisfying anyone or putting up with the little annoyances of life. I wouldn't have to come home at a certain time, or tell anyone who I was with or where I was going. I could just wander the streets with my friend and talk, and tell stories, and do nothing but be happy. I don't need money and I don't need stuff, I just want to live in a world of simplicity.