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03/14/2005: "Another day..."

   Another day (or night as the case may be) and another attempt to write something readable. Already a poor beginning. Well, you have to start somewhere.
   I have decided to give a shot at writing a speech for the University of Southern Maine commencement this May. Any graduating student may apply to be the student commencement speaker. The only direction given is that "the speech reflect on the University experience and provide direction for the graduating class." So the first obstacle is to identify a good topic to occupy my mouth for 500 to 750 words. Suggestions anyone? I always seem to have a lot to say until I sit down and attempt to write.

   Do I have an inspiring message to bring to graduating students and their parents? Perhaps I can relate the story of my own decision to turn away from Philosophy as a 'profession' (fries with that?) and toward Chemistry and teaching (put down the chair and balance this equation). Is it reasonable to expect anyone to sit through a speech on the value of education for its own sake? One issue close to my heart is the incredibly high cost of education: I'm going to be paying on my student loans for many years to come. And that's for the Philosophy/German bachelor of arts. I was a bit more savvy (and fortunate) this time in lining up funding but not everyone has such an opportunity. This could of course be contrasted with the incredibly high cost of failing to receive a good education, which in many ways is worse. Ignorance is not bliss. Of course, the more you learn the more you realize how little you know or will ever know. So in an ironic twist education is really just the starting point for one to find out just how ignorant one is. Or two for that matter.
   Sigh. I suppose that none of these ideas is likely to arouse the passions of any potential listeners/readers. More than likely because I don't feel passionately about any of it. Even the stuff that seems interesting only makes me cringe at how awful my writing about it is. Tantalus of essay topics: the closer I get the further they recede. Perhaps inspiration will strike at a time when I'm less melancholy and exhausted.