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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (March 7, 1997)
Page 5 Friday • March 7, 1997 rate applies additional 5 id to TATE plexes, Apartmeis nd your nev* Ikkt< ATES ) bath, near AM 1 jmishingsforlmj ' utilities. Kirstn bdrm/tbath, fart son Place. :es river's Training, rsal irsaiaict )pm), Friiepiti-li 30pm). Inside Na ?5/cash. Lowes j .. Ste.217. 84f- 17). Can work from i. Wendy. 69W :L h front condos 5-5277. iJicholls State oflei Study in Costal nany. Accredied. II levels. Newsess lable. Forinloma id. Texas. 2-liedoi all Debbie 8-5, iht. Metabolism i ecks. Fast free a. or 1-800-927-3 ooking for a grain of truth nhibitions often lead to watered-down reality Columnist tie questions of who, what and where are thrown around without . discrimination, but finding a reason yburies many people’s heads—even Texas A&M — in die sand. The key to social acceptability is appar- itly to be devoid of any convictions, or at isttokeep them out of conversation. \&M, like any university, has two func- ns: to provide a quality technical educa- mina field, and to provide an environ- ent encouraging the growth of the | rson. Growth is a search students take their journey for the truth, taking ad- ntage of the diverse peoples and lilosophies of the campus. Although A&M is a marketplace for ideas, it is all tcx) quiet. There are those students who harbor insatiable ap- titestoknow and broadcast truth, but the majority T^ayout of the marketplace, lest they be tempted to tyinto the truth. Once last semester, Sbisa was the site of a lively dis- ission among my friends about religion. I came in at le midpoint of the talk and sat a while in awe that imething of substance was being talked about. Un- rtunately, the discussion got no thither than listings feeble views without any logical origins or conclu- ons. My friends concluded with the agreement that Done knew or could know. These friends knew me well enough to know about eSoapbox, but 1 was still flabbergasted when the mingof my mouth was a universal signal for them ileave. At least in this matter of dispute, I had the truth. Joshua Hill Sophomore English major Sadly a major disturbance or grief is nec essary to make many people ask the ques tion, “Why?” A death, an accident or some thing else abrasive usually has to start the learning process. It should be noted that an abrasive residue is what starts the formation of a pearl. Last year, a how-tied legalist stood beside the MSC denouncing different types of sin and people who practiced sin. He was abra sive, unpleasant and a little off-base, but he drew a sizable crowd. Christian, Bahai, Hu manist and Hedonistic believers all dis cussed the basic question of life that after noon with brutal honesty. Such spontaneous conferences are the essence of college life. Students should know why they do what they do. Most are living by creeds about which they know nothing. Life philosophies keep people from wandering rudderless. Once established, philosophies must be continual ly tested to make sure that it has a solid basis in truth. This practice is not just for freaks and philosophy ma jors, but is a necessary part of people’s lives. Students should learn how to design sprockets, breed horses, or write a structured essay, but without the big picture, the what and how are meaningless. The late Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer believed in truth as an absolute concept died in the American culture around 1935. Classical logic, based on absolutes, states if “A” is true, then “non-A” is false. This concept no longer is respected in today’s cul ture, where two contradictory beliefs can be viewed as true. Absolute truth, thus real dis cussion, is counterculture. The reversal of this trend is a problem for the dynamic discussion of the generation of the future, the college students. Some students go with the flow their whole lives, never asking themselves the hard questions. If life is a river, as Garth Brooks believes, then people should learn how to paddle and know where they are going before they hit the rapids. I cannot say I know the truth about life. But Jesus sums it up in John 14:6, saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This truth is not to be spoken in arrogance, but, in the words of Grace Bible Church’s Dwight Ed wards, as one beggar telling another where to find bread. Whatever students believe, they should not stop searching, exam ining and testing their beliefs. Contrary to popular belief, the truth can be found. It should be pursued vigorously on campus, and it will always stand up under interrogation. "Becoming well-rounded doesn't require over-involvement ihl. Metabolism It J # i run a u'll get < and f exasA&M freshmen are indoctrinated with the fish-camp rally cry, “Get nvolved!” Investing time in 'arious organizations is a mre fire way to make a posi- ive contribution to Texas l&M.andto help make life at [college meaningful. However, some students, specially those freshmen, are irone to catching the “super- nvolvement bug.” These stu- lentsjoin as many organiza- ions as possible, especially hose with the most prestige and re- ume-building power. lis a unique place, characterized ysincere, caring people. However, there iaminority of students who answer the uestion “Who are you?” with “A senator, a Columnist Courtney Phillips Junior psychology major Fish Camp counselor, a Lamda Alpha Kegga and co-chair of the Society For Ornate Macrame.” That isn’t the right answer. The question was, “Who are you?”, not, “What are you in?” This mentality permeates the thoughts of the majority, whose involvements are sincere and meaningful. While most stu dents limit themselves to one or two things to care about, there exists a pressure to be involved in high-profile organizations, with the thought of, “I’m a loser because I’m only in one organization,” plaguing their minds. There’s always going to be a Network ing Nancy who is running from interview to interview, who could escape from a fire on the fourth floor of her dorm with a rope of organization T-shirts. There is no reason for the average student to feel defined and stereotyped by the organizations they are in, or to feel compelled to be in any organi zation if is not their prerogative. Most students recognize there are two types of people in organizations. Guy Peterson, a senior biomedical sci ence major, said the “superinvolved” are the exception, not the rule. “Some (students) really do make com mitments and there are those who get in volved in a few things superficially,” he said. “I’ve had more experience with the truly involved.” It is encouraging that most Aggies have their hearts in the right places, but the dan gerous “superinvolvement” mentality lurks beneath the surface, threatening the integrity of our involvement. Freshmen are especially vulnerable to this mentality. When they return from Fish Camp, they go to MSC Open House and blindly join clubs. They eventually end up quitting or giv ing half-heart involvement to organizations they never would have joined if they had thought about it a little more. Almost everyone had this experience as a freshman, hearing friends say, “I really need to join something,” or, “I’ve got to find an organization.” What they need is an identity, something they won’t find in an organization. Whoever said the search for self ends in high school was dead wrong. It takes most students at least a year in college to become familiar with their skin and be a real person, not just a list of organizations and accom plishments. This is only a part of growing up, and it continues in some respects for the rest of students’ lives. Texas A&M offers a world of opportunity. Students can be co-chair of the most presti gious organization on campus, volunteer in the community at some place never heard of unable to recognize them, make their own club, devote their days to endless ultimate frisbee or be a super friend to a group of peo ple they really care for. There’s no need to do it all. There is no perfect involvement to attain. The person a student becomes is going to. last forever, but a list of accomplishments and organizations is not going to amount to a hill of beans ten years down the road. If the things students do are a manifestation of who they are, rather than a student being a manifestation of what they’re in, then they are free from the pres sure to be in the “right” organizations, free from the “superinvolvement” mentality. What they believe, who they love, and what they feel and think in their heart of hearts is all that matters. ease/ ng for a ban 1 imm(3«OTTO7«7 Palmist frills short A/TAIL °f Church doctrine -A- ▼ ■ ® Rponrrlincr Mnr 1 A voiplifp nrtirlp nn 'ZZ'toij®- Scientific progress hindered by religion In response to Steve May’s Mar. 5 opinion column. Unfounded “religious ethics” have slowed technolog ical and scientific progress for many years and should no longer be tolerated by the civi lized world. Cloning, if researched and de veloped, could be one of mankind’s greatest feats. It could help to eliminate diseases from AIDS to cancer and help solve the world hunger situation. In a few decades it could be possible for a person to have individual organs and limbs vat-grown to replace lost or damaged ones. Whether clones have souls is irrelevant and immaterial in light of such achievements. Personally, I am not willing to stake my life and well-being on a bunch of overzealous and misguided individuals who think they have determined the meaning of life. To that point, by limiting the progress and scientific “evolu tion” of mankind, these people have raised the question: “Who is playing God, the scientists or the those who restrict them?” Brian Murray Class of ’99 Regarding Mar. 3 Aggielife article on Palm Reading I just wanted to point out that the “Catholic” palm reader’s statements do not reflect the doctrine of the Church. The Catholic Church is opposed to divination of any nature, including palm reading. There is much conlu- sion created these days when one says he or she is of a certain denomination and yet do not subscribe to some of the basic tenets of the faith. Annie Baffin Class of ’00 The Battalion encourages letters to the ed itor. Letters must be 300 words or fewer and include the author’s name, class, and phone number. The opinion editor reserves the right to edit letters for length, style, and accuracy. Letters may be submitted in person at 013 Reed Mc Donald with a valid student ID. Letters may also be mailed to: The Battalion - Mail Call 013 Reed McDonald Texas A&M University College Station, TX 77843-1111 Campus Mail: 1111 Fax: (409) 845-2647 E-mail: Batt@tamvml.tamu.edu I and ll|, very day habits become every-minute compulsive disorders rnent and le college •nt Publica- ipplication: nterviewed 25, 1997. ions Board ng diversity ord he college years: a time for experi mentation and Jking life to the ex feme. In the back of heir minds, students hink they can just toss ‘fvay dark secrets and Motional scars like a ack of garbage when Itaduation arrives. Unfortunately, a uni- ersity campus is too iften breeding found for long-lasting 'bsessive-compulsive disorders. Psychologists define an obses- ive-compulsive disorder as “the •ersistence of uncontrollable in fusions of unwanted thoughts 'nd urges to engage in senseless ituals (compulsions).” Columnist Travis Chow Computer Science graduate student Before jumping to conclusions, it should be noted there is a sig nificant distinction between benign rou tines and compulsive behavior, the key dif ference being a seri ous loss of control. Karen Severn, an ad viser in the Academic Building, said stu dents at A&M exhibit abnormal behavior all the time. “Everyday, I see people rub bing Sul Ross’s feet for luck,” she said. “It’s funny and harmless, but when some students cancel an hour-long event to cram for a test three weeks away, there may be a problem.” Karen’s description identifies an OCD called Work Addiction Syndrome. Commonly known as workaholics, individuals who suf fer from this often achieve great success at the expense of strained relationships and a continual de cline of emotional health. A report by the National Counseling Inter vention Services compares WAS to alcoholism. The report said, “The work addict may at times use work much like the alcoholic uses al cohol. This process acts as a ve hicle to self-medicate, manage, control and/or avoid feelings.” Compulsive behavior begins as a hideaway from stress or as a search for identity during young adulthood. It often stems from seemingly innocuous activities, such as shopping, eating, pro crastination and exercise. Ac cording to a counselor at the Na tional Institute of Health, research is now documenting people who use exercise as a control mechanism. Joe Ag, who chooses to re main anonymous, works out four hours a day to “stay in shape.” He said he exercises more than he needs to, and sometimes his exhaustion and injuries get in the way. But his immaculate body has always been his identity. “I never want to be fat,” Joe said, as he pinches his skin, measuring his body fat at 2.5 percent. Most students think they can erase mannerisms with a flip of a switch. The truth is to day’s actions will define tomor row’s habits. For students who are still wondering why they should worry about obsessive-compul sive disorders, here are some disturbing facts. Full-blown OCD affects about five million Americans. The National Insti tute of Health estimates the so cial and economic costs of OCD to be about $8 billion annually. As for alcoholism, the most no torious compulsion, a study in 1995 reports approximately 22 million people in this country have been directly affected by alcoholism. Around 200,000 of these people die of an alcohol- related incident. Furthermore, compulsive sexual behavior often leads to sexually transmitted diseases. The U.S. Department of Health reported over one million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia in 1994. College is a time for fun and freedom, but the consequences of senseless actions are not as transient as students would like to think. Compulsive behavior can develop from both notori ous addictions, such as smok ing and drinking, and construc tive habits like work and exercise. Whether getting drunk or sleeping around, the tempo rary pleasure is not worth the DWI or STD. For the most part, the anxiety a student hides from is temporary, but the compulsive act that comes from it eventually will leave a scar.
