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September 5, 2007
Documentary Forum: About the Project and General Feedback

September 5, 2007
Documentary Forum: Intergenerational Differences

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January 11, 2007
Ignore Bush's Call for Sacrifice -- We've Lost Enough Already

January 8, 2007
Iraq is our Responsibility

January 4, 2007
New Year's Resolution: A New Dawn

January 4, 2007
New Year's Resolution: The Invincible Principle

January 3, 2007
Forum: Discuss Generation Next and Religion

January 3, 2007
New Year's Resolution: Stretching

New Year's Resolution: The Invincible Principle
By: Madeline Hollern, University of Texas
January 4, 2007 11:35 AM

We have enjoyed a blissful lifetime of chances, choice and opportunity. The world, you see, is our oyster. We can create, say and do anything.

Unfortunately, we know it.

Young people of today are free to be, well, young and free. In recent years, however, our freedoms have given us a false sense of security. Because we've grown up knowing we can do whatever we want, that's exactly what we do.

Which brings us to our problem: The Invincible Principle.

Simply put, we think nothing bad will ever happen to us. Consequences seem inconsequential. We don't vote, we drive fast and we drink faster. We could eat well, but why? Our generation assumes that if most things lack repercussions now, they always will. So we eat poorly, binge drink, "forget" to vote and have unprotected sex.

Unfortunately, Generation Next, we are not invincible. Not now, not ever.

To fix ourselves, I propose that we examine our Invincible Principle. Not destroy it altogether, but improve it. The first step is awareness. I'm not at all suggesting that we stop drinking, or having sex, or even being young and crazy.

But if nothing else, we need to remember that our actions will indeed have consequences. This year, let's attempt to think before we act. If we don't, our "bright future" might feature liposuctions, liver problems and STDs.

I think we deserve better. We may not be invincible, but we're certainly incredible.

Here's to 2007!

Comments

I just graduated from college, I'm 24, and I used to think that I, like my peers, was invincible. Unfortunatly, or fortunatly, depending on how you look at it, reality came crashing in. When I was a student I did what ever I wanted, skipped class, drank to excess, experimented with drugs, had premiscious and unprotected sex. I was arrested 4 times for minor offenses. Got an STD from my, now ex, girlfriend. I earned terrible grades. I am now facing up to the fact that I will not be able to fulfill many of my dreams. I thought I was invincible and that the choices I made would have no long term effect. I was wrong. I am 24, I will never be able to make love again and I will never go to Law School.
Posted by: jason | January 7, 2007 12:30 PM

Dear Jason: I'm not sure why you drew such dire conclusions about your future, but the point is to learn from your mistakes, and hopefully not repeat them...know that many successful lawyers go back to Law School well into their 30s. Finding an understanding, loving partner is not impossible. The silver lining: your life is just beginning. Good Luck!
Posted by: jasmine | January 8, 2007 2:09 AM

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