So last time I gave myself this prompt. I haven't thought about it since, but I guess I can give it a go.
"Accidental Nihilist" refers to how teenagers, at least in my generation, give up on ambition and their futures, at least until they realize they have things put in perspective. We have all different values instilled into us from birth about how we should work hard, get good grades, plan for the future and other shit. Simultaneously and conversly, we're told to be individuals and listen to ourselves. We're told not to do what we're told, but are also given some good advice. In the end, we just give the hell up.
The establishment wants us to work towards success, but kids want the establishment to go fuck themselves and misinterpret the good advice. "School is bullshit, tests are bullshit, I don't want to do well because you told me, and I hate effort in general" is a phrase uttered commonly in our school districts. Effort is associated with the bullshit notions of the government, or something, and suddenly trying is uncool.
Music is also big factor in our anti-establishment ways. For a while now there have been genres gaining popularity among youth due to their rebellious ways. Generations passed had Rock and Roll. Now we have Hip Hop. We rally around the ideas and values said in that music, namely partying and drug use. Not only do they go against the ideas of trying our best, but they also are fun things to do when we arn't trying our best. It also goes along with the narrative of Government = bad.
The Drug war, I feel, is a huge reason why theres a rift among older and younger generations. Research is being released every day about the positive affectrs of marijuana, LSD, and MDMA, but they are seriously downplayed. The easy answer, and probably obvious answer at this point, is that big pharma is totally fucking us over. Drugs are stigmatized and people who take them are villified. They're kinda like, super fun though... or at least I've been told. In any event, milennials are being educated about drugs more effectively than previous generations and they arn't buying into the DARE program. Weed isn't as dangerous as Herioin and damn near everybody knows it.
So where does that bring us? Kids feel like they're being lied to and as a result don't give a fuck about anything. The advice older people tell us about trying hard and being successful are nearly counterproductive for a 15 year old once they start being skeptics. The path of least resistance is to just stop caring about everything, and so people who do care are labeled as outliers. Makes sense to me, right? I hope that whole thing didn't come out as negative.
Anyway, I think I'm going to stay away from this style of writing for now. It's cool to be more focused, but I can start another "Blog" or "Topic" or whatever it is if I wanted to write shit people will read. This was always a warm up, and I think I like it that way.
On another note, this post will make October my most productive month yet in terms of blog posts, bouncing it up to 11! I want at least 13, but 15 is totally possible.
Bout to go work on something else. Check in next time!
Words I learned to spell: Simultaneously
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