Immaturity
When I was younger, I assumed that immaturity was limited to children, and once I entered college and beyond, these children would have grown up. I learned quite quickly, however, that some people are destined to be infantile for the entire duration of their pathetic little lives.
I posted an essay entitled "Academic Impotence" during a mid-night session of soul searching. As usual, no one is required to read my Web site. Normally, only friends and family take the time to check up on me. Today, however, someone (or a group of someones) decided to engage in a good old-fashioned "flame war" against me. Their series of baseless insults, purportedly from a group of Case Western law students, was intended to be hurtful (think along the lines of: you only got into Georgetown because I turned them down, you'll never make it, etc). As usual, immaturity reigned (i.e. "you are such a douche bag," etc).
I am happy to say that their flames have had the opposite effect. I look upon the insults and I smile, shake my head in wonder. Whoever left those messages is clearly very insecure, and finds comfort in attempting to hurt others. Whether the posters are indeed from Case Western is immaterial (though, it's worth noting, a check of the IP log will verify their location). What matters is that there will always be assholes in this world, and their words carry credence only if we take them seriously. I shan't.
Indeed, I made the mistake of baring my soul for all the world to see, in the process forgetting that some in this world are not friendly. Their own insecurity causes them to strike at the first sign of another's vulnerability. And yet, though their words were meaningless, I find myself with a resolve hitherto unseen. It is with that resolve that I return to my studies, eager to prove the bastards wrong. To quote Richard Nixon:
"Remember, always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember, others may hate you. But those who hate you don't win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself."
