...seventeen. There ya go. That's ma big secret. Yeah It could've been guessed. I actually can't really believe I'm writing this thread. See, the reason I really didn't want people to know my actual age is because, I have seen the discrimination, the prejudice and the brush offs of people considered to be the "youngsters" here. I wish it wasn't so, but it is sometimes. Even now, the question of age arises when it shouldn't, in threads where it is not necessary. I don't like it, but some people can't let it go. Maybe it's because they like me and want to know more about me but are worried that I'm too young for their taste...or maybe they think I'm really immature and want to see how old I actually am to verify if I'm worth paying any attention to at all. All I know is that I strongly dislike and fear the discrimination, the prejudice and the brush offs. I want people to look past the number and see the person. We place too large a stigma on age. Even now, posters like Aristatle and Bravesirrubin have made comments (not positive...) about how old I could be...which of course made me want to conceal even more. But the truth is more important than fear or dislike. I am who I am, at the age at which I am. If you feel the need to judge me for that, than perhaps you are the one who needs judging. I would not judge anyone here by their age alone. I wouldn't and I will not. I know I shouldn't be so wary of others like this. There are many people on here my age who are excellent posters, great thinkers, and kind souls and who get the respect they deserve. Maybe I really fear that I don't deserve the respect I maybe thought I did, who knows? That's my confession, lame as it might be. But it's a relief to know that it's out, no more questions, no more games, and if they want to judge, let them judge, because they who judge based on age, aren't worth it anyways.
You're certainly worth respecting as mature-minded, regardless of your age. It's hard to justify having pre-disposed opinions of those who you may not know yet, however, a group of kids our age walking down the street will still result in a few awkward looks the other way by adults (or street crossings, etc). In their defense, I can't claim with any certainty that even twenty percent of late-teens act maturely. But as far as intelligence is concerned, there should be little assumption; anyone who has to cite ages in a discussion probably has no other points to provide.
I kinda understand where you're comin' from Drew. But there's always alot we can learn from older cats. Just like there's alot they can learn from us if they'd give us a chance.
Good to have friends man. Good to have friends. Its cool Drew we're all here for you. Peace, love, an' freedom man.
hmm, for some reason I knew you were 17, maybe it's because you took some of my posts seriously. But you're right. Particularly in the political forums and such, your displaying your age will affect how seriously your ideas are taken, unless you have some truly exceptional arguments. But I'm way too stubborn to ever not have my age posted. And I really don't care too much about conceited online personalities anyways. Plus, There's a decent amount of people who realize how stupid it is to attack the person rather than the idea.
hahah OP; you make a good point. no one should be judged because of their age. but i guess it can or is used as a way to back up a previous thought. for example) i've read something very insightful on here and asked the person for their age. to see if they were a bit older and wiser OR to see if they were bright beyond their years.
I think it's important to be honest about your age when you are online. It might be discrimination, but there are certain things that I will not talk about with people who are under the age of, say, eighteen. One would be sex, and another would be alcohol and drugs, ect. This is because I feel that it is inappropriate. I also don't want anything I might say be misunderstood. That being said, there are a lot of adult things on the internet that are available to kids. It's each person's responsibility to try to act appropriately, and be a positive influence. Nothing against being seventeen! I have a son that is seventeen. It's a GREAT age. Just remember that you only get to be young for a short time. You have the rest of your life to grow up and be an adult.
