I wasn’t born in the 1960’s, I was born in the 80’s. I am in college, and just am really lost. I feel like I am experiencing what the 1960’s hippies experienced. I am being forced to choose a major and a degree and forced to get a job. To me education should be about learning, and instead I am being herded as a sheep to try and get a high paying job. This isn’t what I want. I don’t want material possessions. My parents are telling me to look for a job, but it just seems so useless sometimes, jobs today pay less than they did 20 years ago, people are working for minimum wage, in menial jobs, when all the CEO’s are making the real money. I would love to maybe be an independent musician along the lines of Fugazi, but colleges don’t have classes in independent business or buisness ethics, its all business classes that are talking about how to make it big and make big bucks how to be a typical sleazebag CEO. In the 1960’s one could drop out and go to Haight or other places, but today their isn’t a thousand or so kids living in the Haight, the hippie scene as it existed back then seems non existent. Their isn’t large numbers of hippies who have dropped out and could provide support. Bascially, I am lost. I am not sure what to do. As I said in the 60’s, if I was feeling this way I would have thousands of kids who were doing to same thing and I could go with them to the Haight, but as I said this doesn’t exist anymore. If I drop out of school, I have no place to go, dropping out of society isn’t really an option for people anymore, because the support of thousands of other people isn’t there I am worried about a draft, I am draft age, I am lost as to what I should do. I am confident I could get CO status, I am an activist, but is it worth it if all your friends are dying and you stay alive. Know what I mean? I don’t know if I could mentally and emotionally deal with thousands even millions of youngsters being carted off to die in iraq in the event of a draft. Should I just flee the country, or should I stay here? Also, I am upset that their isn’t mass uprisings at universities like they had in the 60’s. I have read books that described after Kent State 80 percent of universities had strikes, and in Madison wis, alone their were something like 55 bombs set off at universities. You had a generation of people thinking they could change the world. You had strikes, bombs, in vietnam their were fraggings, you have fringe radical groups like the weathermen and symbionese pop up. I am not saying all of this was good, my point is that during the 60’s people cared about the war, now it seems the uprising and protests are far between. Would it be worth it to stick around during the draft and fight the good fight by protesting, or should I just leave the US? Basically I am sick of everyones complascence including my own, why isn’t their mass uprisings going on? Like I said before, frankly I am lost, I have been listening to music and watching movies from during the Vietnam era to try and gain wisdom, but I haven’t found any answers. Can anyone give me advice about the way I am feeling? What can I do about my dilemmas? What should I do? What do all you current hippies feel about all this? What can you older hippies give in terms of advice to me? It just seems like no matter what path I choose its going to be tough. If I choose to get a job and be the status quo I will be ignoring my beliefs and values. If I leave the US I may miss the protests and uprisings that will occur, if I stay I may be drafted and I may see friends carted off to war. Help me with this please! Z
I feel you. Its the same way with me, my dad is always telling me I need to go to college and get a trade that would make some money. Its all about the dollar and I dont want my life revolving around colored paper. I would love more than anything to live in a tribal community, like a commune or something, living off the land where I could study philosophy or something and get more in tune to nature. I dont want this superficial life that everyone expects you to want, Ive always been different than everyone else and considered weird because I think outside the box. Maybe I will just have to leave when I turn 18 and either start something if its not already been started.
It's cliche, but life is what you make it. Look into a college career where you learn and do some good for the world. We NEED nurses, teachers, and hydrogeologists. Pick something that improves the world for others. Simple answer, yet it works.
First of all, I agree with Abyle, look into smaller, more liberal schools, maybe an art school or something. Or, look around your own college, see if there are any clubs along these lines that you could join; or start a club. Even if a few people join, at least you aren't alone. A few is better than none, anyways. Together you might be able to start something. I really feel what you're going through, though; I'm in the same boat, only I did drop out and am just working a shitty job. I wish there was somewhere today like Haight back in the 60s, something as a home base, where people could go and meet others of like mind. I don't know of any cities that have that sort of reputation these days (and it seems like most youth these days don't care about things like they did back then. After all, we have x-box and cable tv now). Aside from the internet, it's hard to find other hippie-type people, except as I said in school clubs, or maybe social clubs (book clubs and such that meet at a community center or something).
the electronic revolution has largely ruined the world imo. ilove all the good thigns its brought me but now its clear that thats the very reason its so big. thrives so much on teenager/young adult uni student group. anything that thrives on thsi market can make heaps of money and ruin the economy because while young ones consume, adults have to provide. theres less trade work, less local business (because of globalisation and huge commercial expension of the electronic era), less industrial work, everything is lower paying caus computers can do most of the works. because of this, if i get a stable, mainstream job, ill probably pick up a trade like electrition or plumber. everyone is learning how to use electronics these days but not enough are learning how to actually work things. there was a huge push for aprenticeships during the late 90's/early noughties, and i recon i could do well at that, caus i love fixing things and making thigns work. but im in a similar boat, i dont want some high paying materialistic job, i want to have a meaningful life. but yeah i think practically all reasons for teh world's contemporary issues is technology. its improved lives.. but ruined society.
You can go to college and take classes that interest you while also earning a degree in another field. While it is true that some majors do not allow you to take electives, most of them do. Fortunately for me I can take a whole bunch of them. In any case, I think your parents are urging your college career on because in today’s world it is a vital survival instrument. I think you should find something you enjoy doing. You can be successful without giving up your beliefs and values.
Wow, to think I thought I was alone with this feeling. Im new here so let me give you alittle back ground. Im 18 and I dropped out when I got to the 9th grade. My dad is a General Contractor doing house additions and repairs for people. So I went to work with him and made some bank, or so I thought. Anyway, theyve upgraded the GED test now and it seems its more like the SAT test than anything. Im not the smartest when it comes to books but I too am very good at fixing things and working with my hands. It seems now college isnt my path because of the lack of ambition to even go there. I dont want my life revolving around money but it seems that it has to in this day. Ive been looking for some sort of an answer or alternative, but havent found it. I think after reading these posts Ive realized that...... there isnt. Get up, goto work, make money, and hope people will unite, open their minds to the new world, and do something about it before its too late.
Hi everybody. You're feeling lost? Please read my post in the "Join in an Exodus" thread (also in "The Future" section). Perhaps you think this is farfetched or impossible, but I am rallying as many people as I can to start a new society. We will be starting over from scratch... it will not be easy, but check out the post. See if you're interested.
i've read very little of what is here, so i apologize if i'm repeating. i just wanted to point out that business ethics classes are pretty common in college. or at least, it's taught every semester here and we don't really have that good of a class selection, especially for a fairly big school
i am an independent musician . you don't die from it . you SURVIVE . and i think music is better for it . forget what your parents stupidly think you should do and just love them as best you can . all that's required of you as an artist is to be interesting and SURVIVE .
Really it's up 2 u. Could u live w/ urself if u left or would u want 2 stand up and fight. I'm not say either one is right just the person has 2 chose. And as 4 the schooling, yes I feel the same and I'm only in H.S. but if u want 2 drop out and go do something else go do it. We may not be Hippies but there are good people out there who will understand and support you. Good luck and Peace out!
