Luck

[cjsmith]

At physics lecture yesterday, the professor was making the point that she had given ample opportunity for students to earn extra credit. She pointed me out as an example, saying I had accumulated five percent. (This is the maximum, and it was earned by, get this, 1) showing up to lecture and 2) doing my homework. I wish I were kidding.)

Five or six people in the room yelled in an only-somewhat-friendly way "Oooo, luckyyyyyyyy!" That was the dominant word: lucky. The professor tried to point out that I had worked hard in this class, but I don't think that part of her message got across at all. It was as if the vocabulary she was using was in some other language.

Sometimes I worry about the future of this country, I really do. Lucky because I showed up to class? Lucky because I did the work after the professor told everyone we'd get credit for it? No. I don't think so. Lucky because I don't have cancer, that I'll buy. Lucky because I live in an area with ready access to community college courses, yes. Lucky because I bust my ass once I get there? No.

Comments

[klwalton.livejournal.com]

I weep.

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I think there are two things going on here, one of which bothers me more than the other. It's all well and good to be a lazy sot; I sure was. If you outgrow it, great -- you'll have more of what you want in life. But to be unable to tell the difference between work and luck is a deep twisted confusion that can only lead to pain for everybody in the end.