Not Too Shabby, Abbie

The problem with liking things is that nothing is safe. Unfortunately, everything out there to fall in love with has a stigma and a label attached to it. In some areas of the world, especially in the U.S., the stereotypes can be extremely derogatory and unkind. It progresses to the point where mentioning an interest in something automatically classifies you to your listener as a very particular sort of obsessed fanatic, and this scares them away from you. Why? Because we don't like extremes. Anything that stands apart from the crowd catches our attention, and if it's just interesting enough for us to notice, nod and appreciate it, then be on our merry way, we accept it. But if it stops traffic, if it is just too abnormal for us to immediately look away, if it is so different and unusual that it makes us uncomfortable, we judge that thing as freakish and frightening. We reject it. So I come back to my point about liking things. If you like America, if you like patrio...

It was of the greatest inconvenience that the man sporting the maroon waistcoat and matching trousers had left behind his cellphone charger that morning, and as such, resorted to checking the time with his pocket watch, an item that was usually a strictly decorative piece. Sighing, he flipped it open and glanced at the digital numerals flashing across the screen. 10:43. He would be late. Again. It was hardly surprising to the man. His valet had ripped one of his hand-sewn buttons from his overcoat that morning and stupidly creased his cravat until it would not hold a proper form. He'd caused such a to-do about the entire affair that the man was forced to send him away immediately and proceed to dress himself. An hour later, after struggling with the dress shirt and cufflinks and cravat and waistcoat and jacket and trousers and stockings and shoes, he was quite late and quite put-out about it. He tapped his fingers impatiently on the ink-black leather seats of the Audi—a 201...

Recently, I had the great misfortune opportunity to write a lengthy, excruciatingly detailed literature review on a specific topic of my choosing within my field of study. As a communications major, there were many interesting subjects that are both relevant and relatable to the digital generation, so I couldn't complain overly much about the research process. In truth, I pitied those who had to choose between the latest technology in scaffolding or in medical syringes, which would probably send me into an early grave if I had to read 20+ articles and discuss them. Instead, I settled on violent video games and their effect on abnormal behavior– including things like aggression, violent outbursts, depression, suicidal tenancies, etc. I expected that the results of current research studies would show a distinct causational relationship between the two, and part of me feared what that might mean for me, an avid gamer and lover of a good Call of Duty free-for-all match every cha...