Another title stolen from a Nico Muhly piece, this one from the soundtrack to The Reader. Which is ironic because I don’t have any. Friends, that is.
At least not any good ones. At least not any close ones.
IIT is full of children, by the way. I have decided. And I don’t just mean the students either. Something about engineering/math/architecture lends itself much more to intellectual recreation, puzzles, games, than any sort of depth or discovery. Human interaction and understanding, analysis of basic archetypes, making sense of the social structures which bind us together — those things seem much more important, more mature, more sensible maybe, than spending one’s life writing Number Theory proofs, than finding ways to increase one’s company’s profits, than coding games/websites in JAVA or whatever language you find relevant.Also,
I am an arrogant, elitist, intellectual bastard. This is the second thing I wish to say. I thought you all should know, if you didn’t already.
I’m getting tired of this blogging crap. I want to do something more with my life. Something substantial. Something meaty. But, then again, I can’t think of anything that really fulfills that description. Conversations with good friends, maybe.
Oh wait, that’s right. I don’t have any.
Tags: arrogant, children, elitist, Friends
Yeah. You should definitely cut down on this proliferous blogging spree you’ve been on. Stop clogging the tubes and all.
Math is art; don’t forget that. Just relax and see the colors. What is there other than beauty? And proofs — not the stupid number theory crap proofs, those are the equivalent of stick figures or pop music — are just the way of expressing it. “Most importantly, art is passive. It does not force itself on people. It is only seen by those who seek it, and it only touches those who absorb it, and it only truly affects those who already have the experiences to form the thoughts that are triggered by that particular work of art.” You don’t have to like the most abstract math, but don’t think it’s stupid. Just because you don’t like a work of art doesn’t mean it’s worthless.
Or maybe I’m just completely wrong…
Either way, I’m willing to be your friend; I’m sorry I’m not a very good one.
Also, arrogant, elitist, intellectual bastards are the only sorts of people who will ever do anything with their lives; congratulations you’re a better person than everyone else.
Hmm… I guess I have trouble relating to the need to do something *important*, or at least consequential in the way you describe. I have that very human desire to be “great”, but I have more or less beat that desire into submission. What good is consequence if it isn’t interesting? What good is importance if it is lifeless? I just can’t care whether something has “objective value”, whatever that means. Then again, I probably am just a child… I really can’t dispute that label.
On the other hand, I can relate to the desire for true friendship… if I can be a friend, make me get food with you soon.
Also, I agree with Anne’s second post. I rather like being an arrogant, elitist, intellectual bastard.