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Borg Phobia
Oct. 31st, 2007 09:01 pmI think I have an irrational fear of becoming involved in large all-encompassing groups.
Cults, obviously.
Jobs requiring sixty-plus hours a week.
And social groups that have activities seven days a week. They aren't exactly exclusive, but if you do something one day, they want you to do something two days, then three, then every day. Then if you miss a day, when you return they might ask, "Where are your priorities?" At least I saw one folk dancer ask that of another (who replied, "Right where they belong, thanks").
Then there's the mentality that hey, if you have any interest in this activity, you must want to become a world expert, practicing daily and trying to win competitions and going to seminars and giving talks and giving back and what not.
You're supposed to dedicate your life to one career and one hobby. It's hard to be a respectable dilettante when you've got people trying to make you an expert dancer, juggler, volleyball player, ultimate frisbee player, medieval re-enactor, calligrapher, and probably any other hobby you can imagine.
I'm overreacting, of course. What better place to expand your skills than a place full of exciting, resource-heavy groups? These are hardly the mafia. Surely there's a better response than running away to take a nap.
Cults, obviously.
Jobs requiring sixty-plus hours a week.
And social groups that have activities seven days a week. They aren't exactly exclusive, but if you do something one day, they want you to do something two days, then three, then every day. Then if you miss a day, when you return they might ask, "Where are your priorities?" At least I saw one folk dancer ask that of another (who replied, "Right where they belong, thanks").
Then there's the mentality that hey, if you have any interest in this activity, you must want to become a world expert, practicing daily and trying to win competitions and going to seminars and giving talks and giving back and what not.
You're supposed to dedicate your life to one career and one hobby. It's hard to be a respectable dilettante when you've got people trying to make you an expert dancer, juggler, volleyball player, ultimate frisbee player, medieval re-enactor, calligrapher, and probably any other hobby you can imagine.
I'm overreacting, of course. What better place to expand your skills than a place full of exciting, resource-heavy groups? These are hardly the mafia. Surely there's a better response than running away to take a nap.