There are a lot of theories out there as to the best method for teaching. And there are even more ideas out there about the methods for learning. Hard work and discipline, as well as sacrifice, come to mind when I think about the college level.

Unfortunately, these methods usually end up burning students out, depressing them, making them gain weight, lose sleep and even leading them to take their own lives to escape the stress.

So maybe we can take something from the youth of this nation. The best learners in the world are children. They learn fast and furious, and generally speaking, they aren’t stressed out. Children usually have a smile on their face, and they are not only interested in, but also excited by, the material they are absorbing. Who doesn’t remember being entranced by dinosaurs? Space? Infinite possibilities.

But as we grow older the work load increases and the fun is left behind for our successors, along with fruit cups and nap time. The situation becomes more serious, and laughter is strictly forbidden. Why?

Somewhere between kindergarten and graduation our classes become divided into two parties. There are students who take the blue pill and say: ‘I’m an adult, I will not laugh, I will buckle down and take this seriously, whether I hate it or not.’√ù

These students generally end up taking the SATs, college entrance exams, careers, futures, all that shit their parents and teachers have fed them about their tradition and lineage, extremely seriously. These are the same people flinging themselves off that bridge I’ve heard so much about at Cornell.

Then there are the kids who take the red pill. This other group of students are alienated by that old fear. They are not opposed to learning per say, but simply can’t cope with the stress that awaits them. They push through and finish high school, generally with less-than-acceptable grades, and are then filtered out of the system: the Serious System.

Sure, we can say that there are a number of dull wits and slackers among them, but how many? You wouldn’t believe how many dull-witted slackers I’ve met at Binghamton University. Far into adult life and the world as we know it (and their parents’ basements) and the Red Pill Kids are expunged from the possibilities that sticking with reality and all seriousness would have bought them.

Is anyone in this happy?

There are adults (mind you, far and few between) in higher academia, who believe in laughing. Who understand what it is to enjoy themselves when teaching. The idea of taking things seriously is alien to them, because they take both everything and nothing seriously. In nature, seriousness is inherent. If you understand it, you understand it. There’s no seriousness and silliness to be spoken of. You are there.

In need of some validation? Go to school, get a good-paying job, buy that big-ass car, that big-ass house and a big-ass boat. Hook up with that trophy and marry her. Hate yourself. Hate your students. Have a heart attack.

I firmly believe those who speak of being serious only look to discredit the light-hearted and darken the halls of academia.

Or maybe the mean bastards just weren’t hugged enough.