
CameronFrye
There’s nothing there
- Feb 20, 2022
- 79
Before going to college, I blamed the way I was treated and the social hierarchy of my high school to simply being a product of my shitty hometown and not an accurate representation of the real world. And I couldn't wait to see what else was out there beyond it and start living.
Then I finally got to college, and it was not only the same, but worse. To start, athletes were treated like gods amongst mere mortals, and were worshipped as otherworldly beings. Women would sleep with them in an instant, and straight men even said they'd do whatever these athletes asked them to do sexually. People practically kissed the ground they walked on, and they got everything they wanted from good grades to strangers treating them better than their best friends, all by doing noting. But worse than nothing, they were some of the most selfish, mean, and entitled people you'd ever meet. One even made my friend cry due to how he treated her during a group project. And many of these athletes from my school go pro, and make millions and are set for life. On top of being famous and praised on national tv for their skills, they are also portrayed as saints becasue they visit a childrens hospital and walk around occasionally, or tweet a link to a charity to their millions of followers. And what bothers me is they have a greater positive impact and bring infinitely more happiness to others simply by existing than I could ever bring.
On a different and more widespread level was greek life. My school took it so seriously there was a forum similar to this one, but to debate rankings of fraternities/sororities and bully other students. The "top tier" fraternities and sororities had crazy, exclusive, sex and drug fueled parties major celebrities would even come to town to attend. They stood at the door and judged each individual in line to determine if they were worthy enough to be qualified to enter, turning away most due to superficial qualities. And then after college these people would get the best jobs because of the connections to other rich and successful people who were alumni of their orgs. Individuals would try to get into the highest status org, and those who didn't get selected would then attempt to join a lower ranked org with less status/benefits until they found their place in the system. The orgs were categorized as "top-tier", "upper-middle", "middle, "lower-middle" and "bottom". People would drop you out of their lives in a second if it meant climbing to another tier you weren't on. And if you didn't want to participate in this system, you had to have friends from high-school who stuck by you, or get incredibly lucky.
Now when facing the "adult world" I'm sure I can expect the same, just in a different form. These people will likely be my bosses, recruiters, and the ones who will get the promotions. I struggle to justify competing in this system any longer, and want a way out.
Did I just get unlucky where I ended up geographically and with who I encountered? Is is there really better out there? Should I keep looking for genuine, caring people? Or is this really what the world is like?
Then I finally got to college, and it was not only the same, but worse. To start, athletes were treated like gods amongst mere mortals, and were worshipped as otherworldly beings. Women would sleep with them in an instant, and straight men even said they'd do whatever these athletes asked them to do sexually. People practically kissed the ground they walked on, and they got everything they wanted from good grades to strangers treating them better than their best friends, all by doing noting. But worse than nothing, they were some of the most selfish, mean, and entitled people you'd ever meet. One even made my friend cry due to how he treated her during a group project. And many of these athletes from my school go pro, and make millions and are set for life. On top of being famous and praised on national tv for their skills, they are also portrayed as saints becasue they visit a childrens hospital and walk around occasionally, or tweet a link to a charity to their millions of followers. And what bothers me is they have a greater positive impact and bring infinitely more happiness to others simply by existing than I could ever bring.
On a different and more widespread level was greek life. My school took it so seriously there was a forum similar to this one, but to debate rankings of fraternities/sororities and bully other students. The "top tier" fraternities and sororities had crazy, exclusive, sex and drug fueled parties major celebrities would even come to town to attend. They stood at the door and judged each individual in line to determine if they were worthy enough to be qualified to enter, turning away most due to superficial qualities. And then after college these people would get the best jobs because of the connections to other rich and successful people who were alumni of their orgs. Individuals would try to get into the highest status org, and those who didn't get selected would then attempt to join a lower ranked org with less status/benefits until they found their place in the system. The orgs were categorized as "top-tier", "upper-middle", "middle, "lower-middle" and "bottom". People would drop you out of their lives in a second if it meant climbing to another tier you weren't on. And if you didn't want to participate in this system, you had to have friends from high-school who stuck by you, or get incredibly lucky.
Now when facing the "adult world" I'm sure I can expect the same, just in a different form. These people will likely be my bosses, recruiters, and the ones who will get the promotions. I struggle to justify competing in this system any longer, and want a way out.
Did I just get unlucky where I ended up geographically and with who I encountered? Is is there really better out there? Should I keep looking for genuine, caring people? Or is this really what the world is like?
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