For My Brother

Today my brother asked me if I had any wisdom to give him, from one college student to another. This is what I told him:

1. Don't be defined by any one thing. There's nothing wrong with liking Star Trek, but if all anyone can see about you is the Federation emblem on your shirt, you're going to be shallow. This is not limited to geeks--a jock is a one-dimensional athlete, after all, and some of the most frustrating people in the world have no identity aside from their religion. In short, do not be like a sitcom character. You have depth, show it.

2. Good and evil are good fodder for Saturday morning cartoons, but they have very little practical use. Love and selfishness are more useful ways of thinking--and it's consistent with most of your major religions.

3. Most of the people you met aren't trying to be bad. They may make selfish choices, they may differ from you, they may be flat-out dumb, but generally thinking of them as "shortsighted", "scared", "rash", or even "logically challenged" leads you to a healthier interaction with them then "evil", "hateful", or "worse". This applies even to your enemies.