Letter to the Editor: Challenging society

It’s sad how every individual who enters and exits my life grows into the epitome of what a typical human being is.

It’s the same thing time and time again. Humans giving into their humanistic biases — greed, hate and naivety. People influenced by the nonsensical propaganda of the media, the media that sets unrealistic standard of how thin one should be or the unreasonable belief that one has to be in possession of a college degree to succeed in life. I already know too many people who come to college because of this. It continually demeans the value of knowledge.

Why has society bought into this delusion? Because peoples’ eyes are closed; they have surrendered every shred of logic to the said biases above. They find themselves incapable of breaking free from the peer pressures of this media-tainted society.

And it is for that reason that I urge you to take a moment and ask yourself that one proverbial question: What truly matters in life? Forget what society has taught you, and for once in your life take a chance and believe in your own cognition. Disregard the delusion thrust upon you and consider the reality of the moment, of the future.

Consider one shred of logic that I have found universally true: There are no absolutes. Getting a college degree does not mean that you will indefinitely succeed in life; being thin doesn’t guarantee you a good self-image.

I dare challenge society. I dare ask the questions that should not be asked. I dare color outside the lines and not in the typical “anti-conformist” culture America has fostered. The question is: Do you?

— Ian Tan is a sophomore from Malaysia.

 

Related articles

Sandal: Self-reflection, examination helps everyone make better ...

With honest and logical examination of ourselves and society, we can explore ...

/news/2011/mar/29/sandal-self-reflection-examination-helps-everyone-/

Saha: ‘Limitless’undervalues power of human brain

'Limitless' fails to recognize the power of the natural human brain,without cognitive ...

/news/2011/mar/31/saha-limitlessundervalues-power-human-brain/

How fair and balanced is the news?

The presidents of KU College Republicans and KU College Democrats will reach ...

/news/2008/nov/04/balanced_news/

Study says men want attractive women

Women’s Resource Center Director Kathy Rose-Mockry said the findings painted too narrow ...

/news/2007/sep/07/study/

Study says men want attractive women

Women’s Resource Center Director Kathy Rose-Mockry said the findings painted too narrow ...

/news/2007/sep/07/attract_study/

Alcohol, food trade-off leads to danger

Drunkorexia, or drinking instead of eating, is a harmful trend among college-aged ...

/news/2009/oct/13/news_drunk/

Confidential information mishandled

An anonymous source sent manila envelopes containing private data to the Kansan, ...

/news/2007/sep/20/record/

Earles: Diet pills not to blame for ...

I’m just sick of everyone blaming the media for issues that we ...

/news/2008/apr/10/earles/

Diplomas aren’t the only path to success

A new study says universities should make degree programs more career-oriented

/news/2010/jul/06/diplomas-arent-only-path-success/

Simmermon: What’s the point of going to ...

Many students who go to college find themselves partaking in academic conformity ...

/news/2008/apr/07/simmermon/

McNaughton: Profiling never acceptable

The media often perpetuates biases with its labels.

/news/2007/sep/05/mcnaughton_profiling_never_acceptable/

Stretched thin

Student athletes navigate two worlds.

/news/2010/may/04/stretched-thin/

Overworked students' dangerous race against time

Is too much work and too little time putting students' health at ...

/news/2011/apr/28/time-not-our-side/

All hail the queen

/news/2006/apr/06/jp_allhailthequeen/

Losing weight, losing control

Among the millions who struggle with eating disorders, the majority suffer from ...

/news/2011/apr/27/weight-loss/

Free: Jail not appropriate response to pot

A focus on punishment, rather than harm reduction, education, and rehabilitation, causes ...

/news/2010/nov/03/free-jail-not-appropriate-response-pot/

Castle: Really gay advice...for really straight guys

Straight men should be more conscious with homophobic remarks.

/news/2011/feb/01/castle-really-gay-advise-really-straight-guys/

From foster child to college grad

Former foster children face a difficult road in college.

/news/2010/mar/24/foster-child-college/

Blog: Basic Training

Reporter Kelly Stroda is spending six days at Ft. Leavenworth and Ft. ...

/news/2010/sep/26/basic-training/

Sexually (inter)Active: What is the purpose of ...

Three panelists weigh in on how "roles" continue to define relationships.

/news/2010/jan/29/sexually-interactive/

Once warriors, now students

Veterans wounded in combat fight to find a "normal" life on college ...

/news/2011/jul/27/once-warriors-now-students/

DISCONNECTED: A day without media

Could you survive it?

/news/2012/jan/25/without-media/

Mirsepasi remembered as happy, caring

KU student’s passing mourned by friends and family.

/news/2009/sep/15/mirsepasi/

Running away from perfection

How running a long-distance race helped me overcome my fear of failing.

/news/2009/nov/05/running-away-perfection/

Bornstein: Learning to live with labels

Sometimes getting pigeonholed helps to discover personal identity.

/news/2009/sep/11/bornstein_labels/

Modern-day people watching

The evolution of our peering culture through the use of new media.

/news/2010/mar/04/modern-day-people-watching/

Smith: Oh say can you see?

Nations play their own unique anthems to prove they stand apart from ...

/news/2007/aug/21/smith/

Not a typical school girl

Former sex columnist for the University Daily Kansan talks about what she ...

/news/2006/sep/14/meganbainum/

Chopping away at reality

A December graduate plans on following her dream instead of her degree

/news/2007/nov/29/chopping_away_reality/

Students ask questions about faith and the ...

Panelists answered questions about Christianity in the “Ask a Christian a Question” ...

/news/2010/apr/29/students-ask/

Q&A: Tucker Max

Because we have questions. Celebrities have answers.

/news/2009/sep/24/q_tucker_max/

Letter: Getting it right

Compton's article on Obama was misleading.

/news/2009/nov/12/letter/

Choosing a major

Student athletes navigate two worlds.

/news/2010/may/04/choosing-major/

Students face religious dilemmas

At the college level, some students find growth in challenging spiritual beliefs.

/news/2009/dec/08/students-face-religious-dilemmas/

Rules of the game

Student athletes navigate two worlds.

/news/2010/may/04/rules-game/

Love and lust in college

From one-night stands to long-term relationships, students’ perceptions of the collegiate dating ...

/news/2011/dec/05/love-and-lust-college/

Brains suffer from binge drinking culture

Hard partying can damage still developing college-age brains.

/news/2011/jul/05/brains-suffer-binge-drinking-culture/

A matter of interpretation: Advocate

For deaf students at KU, Kim is the greatest support to ensure ...

/news/2010/may/02/advocate/

Five flirting styles unveiled

A study within the communications department recently named five styles of getting ...

/news/2010/nov/08/five-flirting-styles-unveiled/

Governor wants to improve school ranking

Parkinson calls for tougher admission standards.

/news/2009/sep/10/governor_wants_improve_school_ranking/

Comments

Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.

Sign in to comment