Yea . . . I get them.

Elementary school can be so barbaric, heck it can be seen up to college. It's so simple and yet so complex. It's about competition. Being on top of your peers.

In elementary school athletic skill doesn't count for crap. It's only use seems to be for intimidation over others to be on top. Later in life kids learn that athletic skill improves chances for attracting a "better" mate.

Good grades in school also is just a method of competition. The athletic kids threatened by the glee of kids getting good grades react by bullying. Not the only reason for bullying but a way of putting kids in their place.

So why are they competing? There must be a goal. Attention anyone would think rightfully. However after the kids achieve this attention they realize that the path to attention was so much more fulfilling. And of course others will be working to beat this "winner". These competing groups usually end up forming groups to keep each other in check.

But hey! There is hope! Starting around high school some kidlings start to just not care about competing. They will just walk away from the idea, some more so than others. These are the outcasts. The "interesting" people I'd say. They all seem to have a different reason for rebelling. Eventually most people fall into this outcast category as they realize there is more to life than constant competition. But it will always be there - job title, material possessions, speech and after a while experiences. Actually competing over memories! What a silly thought.

And yet, the world must have competition. Just how it goes (take that communism). I think it is terribly troublesome having to compete over everything all the time. But it's happening. Some people just care more than others.

That's just a random thought though, and there is so much more to say on the topic. I'm still trying to figure out tobacco. It makes kids in high school cool (maybe looking mature or dare devilish) and yet it doesn't make your insides look so awesome. I guess only things that are easily distinguished can be competed against.

Don't get the wrong message though. There are many things that make me glad there is competition. Intelligence, confidence, even happiness.

I miss this kind of brainstorming. Nothing stimulates my brain enough to make me think this hard. I have to just go and find things to examine or break-down. I tend to lose some people along the way though.