We, The Institutionalized People

The entire western world, from the age of 5 is indoctrinated into the institutionalized society which is the education system. From there, a child will spend the next 13 years in grade school, jumping academic hoops and pleasing their teachers by doing what they want to get good grades. From institution from institution these children progress through, but yet, it is still more of the same-- children are told what to do and are graded on how well they execute their commands. Children, in this light might look like glorified biological computers.

We are told in that point of our lives that we need to get good grades so we can get a good job to live a prosperous and happy life. Such is the dream that we are told and we believe it throughout the majority of our lives. We hear the same comment from everyone, from teachers, parents, adults and friends. It becomes a universal truth, almost like a fundamental one like 1+1=2-- irrefutable, because we know no better. And so, we carry on through grade school, jumping through the hoops, like a circus act, where our biggest performance is a test for entry in to a much larger and extravagant institution otherwise known as University.

We finally get into university and realize a sense of freedom-- we choose our own departments, our own courses and even when to take them from a scheduled list. What incredible freedom, nothing like we had before in our grade school years. But still, it is still more of the same-- marching orders from our professors and academic hoop jumping.

"But this time," as most of us think, "we are going to be free. Freedom, finally."

Anxiety sets in, the year before graduating. "I'm going to graduate! What next!?" We wonder. Obviously our next problem to deal with is getting a job and making money out of the necessity to survive. With little a thought, resumes and cover letters are fired off left right and center to whatever company with an opening. Sooner or later, we find ourselves with a job, following orders and getting evaluated by our bosses.

From cradle to grave, this is how most of us will live, everyday being told what to do and being evaluated. Most of us will probably not realize it because we are probably comfortable with it because it is the only life we know. Most of us will end up taking up a few hobbies along the way and perhaps do some traveling from time to time.

And from time to time you will be asked by new friends, "what do you like doing?" For which most of us will stumble through looking for something to say to make ourselves not look entirely lame; it becomes like a traditional greeting, something that everyone does and not think twice about.

And that is what I think is the biggest travesty of our time.