Have you ever really thought about true meaning of life? Of course you have- everyone has. And I bet it has a million answers...all of which revolve (in some sort of orbit) around religion, success and wealth, or my personal favourite: happiness. Well, that just doesn't seem specific enough to me. I'd only really given the whole 'hypothesis' a sound thought the other day, when my friend was in the hilarious yet fuming process of instant messaging me several angry-looking emoticons. He said he was really annoyed at how much homework he'd received for his Summer holidays, in arguably abundant preparation for next year's studies. That was when it really struck me dumb- like it wasn't ever so explicit before- we have no CHOICE.
Of course we have choice! Nobody ever said homework was compulsory. But wasn't it clear that if we didn't do it, that we would completely fail in everything we do in life? You see, there are certain things that although we like to ponder in the comforting thought that we have control over, we actually don't. Just look at the bigger picture: we're born (and what a day that is.) We grow up. We go to school. We finish school, grow up some more. We go to work. We maybe marry, or opt for a spinsterish life where out affection is wasted on tens of cats. We die. THE END. And, of course, let us not forget- if we don't work, we can smooch off the government. Not that I encourage it, but the path ends up in the same place.
Scientifically, this is all in order. It's the cycle of a lifetime! Doesn't it sound utterly delightful and adventurous? Not to me. I'm perfectly aware that within these categories we, as intellegent individuals, can make many choices on a daily basis, but nobody can deny that they are restricted.
What I believe is simple. Once a child is old enough to nicely comprehend the school system (and, obviously, the long, slowwww path it will take them down,) that same child should have the choice to choose to continue or to stop. It's a difficult concept, but the government at the center of this really benefits- as long as we all have to work. It's a controversial business- parents would need to do some form of labour to feed the school drop-out kid, but don't millions of people believe that the meaning of life is happiness? Hence would the happiness of the child at that moment not be what we should strive for?
In a more calm and composed state, one can easily review the situation. We can never really, as a universal body, construct the perfect system- this is why we have objectors who try new things. As long as you feel, honestly, a satisfactory sense of achievement, then you have done enough. Right?
