I am very disturbed by the unprecedented degree of pervasive indifference, egotism and apathy displayed by college students towards the situation in Iraq and other events unfolding throughout the world.

A college atmosphere cultivates a very deep-seated and ubiquitous egocentric mentality. There has always been an emphasis on “do what you want, expand yourself” and personal liberation, but it has never reached levels like this, ever. It just boggles the mind. On occasion, I will be sitting at the dining hall absolutely dumbfounded, shocked, left speechless in response to the conversations I will be overhearing. Who’s a bitch, who’s a slut, who’s got the new Chingy cell phone ring? Here’s one – Who fucking cares. Shut up. Did it ever occur to a lot of kids to just shut up?

The old adage “choose your words wisely” has never needed more reaffirming than it does now among teenagers and early 20-somethings. The more you needlessly speak, the less your words mean. It’s simple supply and demand.

Most kids in college can carry on some sort of “intellectual” (while not necessarily intelligent) conversation about current events. Mostly I get talking points from dailykos or some equally liberal blog. Alternatively, as evidenced by the Binghamton Review, you will be dealt some absurd, vitriolic, ideological, hateful slant from the right. How to channel American resources, and where this country should be headed, is tremendously important. As Vietnam defined the American vision for a generation, Iraq will for us. I am not drawing a parallel in the execution or success of the missions, just their impact on the American identity.

I am not supremely apprised of current events, nor do I hold an advanced degree in political science. But I care. Thirty five years ago the kids dying in Vietnam were me. We have been so fortunate, considering by all military accounts the critical lack of troops that entered Iraq with, that some form of compulsory military service has not been instituted by Congress.

The problem, while exceptionally bad at colleges, is not isolated there. James Fallows in the Atlantic Monthly reported this month that “many top administration officials have become bored with the war. Donald Rumsfeld has [a] distant tone. Condoleezza Rice and Paul Wolfowitz have moved on to different things.”

Here is the kicker though. I believe indifference to be completely fine. In fact I prefer it to some zealous, outlandish ideological mudslinging. But be modest and humble about it: When your parents told you the world doesn’t revolve around you, they weren’t kidding.

Joe Galante Eisenberg is a junior economics major