Words cannot express how weary I am of hearing the words “What are you planning on doing with that?” when the topic of my major is raised in conversation. This topic is frequently raised on a day to day basis as every time I meet someone new, naturally they ask what it is I do (for in America today, what we do is more defining of you than anything, and often more memorable to others than your name).
I’ve found that avoiding this question in conversation is an impossible task. People are always going to ask what it is one “does”, and so long as I choose to interact with them, I’m going to have to answer “I’m a student”, “O really? What’s your major?”, “Philosophy”.
Thus far, the simplest solution to avoiding this painful question of "what I'm going to do" has been lying about what it is I currently do. If the person I’m talking to is attractive enough, I’ll tell them I work for the CIA as an intern spy (last week, I pointed to the “Russian Spy Swap” headline of the Seattle Times and told them that was me. They looked at me as if I was retarded. Apparently I’m not funny. Perhaps pretty people just don’t have a sense of humour. I dunno). On the other hand, If they’re fugly or stupid, I'll usually say something like “Biology major” or “History major” and they’ll usually just nod and continue their string of predictable questions (because it’s so fucking obvious what History majors do).
Anyway, because I’m a generally honest person, I typically find myself hearing “What are you planning on doing with that?” a lot. Usually I shrug or say “teach”, but no longer! I’m going freelance.
I’ve found that avoiding this question in conversation is an impossible task. People are always going to ask what it is one “does”, and so long as I choose to interact with them, I’m going to have to answer “I’m a student”, “O really? What’s your major?”, “Philosophy”.
Thus far, the simplest solution to avoiding this painful question of "what I'm going to do" has been lying about what it is I currently do. If the person I’m talking to is attractive enough, I’ll tell them I work for the CIA as an intern spy (last week, I pointed to the “Russian Spy Swap” headline of the Seattle Times and told them that was me. They looked at me as if I was retarded. Apparently I’m not funny. Perhaps pretty people just don’t have a sense of humour. I dunno). On the other hand, If they’re fugly or stupid, I'll usually say something like “Biology major” or “History major” and they’ll usually just nod and continue their string of predictable questions (because it’s so fucking obvious what History majors do).
Anyway, because I’m a generally honest person, I typically find myself hearing “What are you planning on doing with that?” a lot. Usually I shrug or say “teach”, but no longer! I’m going freelance.
(name ommitted)That’s right, I’ve awaked my inner Milton Friedman and have entered the wonderful world of Liaise-Faire street Capitalism! Philosophy will no longer be the bitch of business or science or religion. It’s time for philosophy to serve the masses in its most raw and mildly inexperience form: me. It’s time I capitalize on my rookie skills. From now on, when people ask me what I plan to do with philosophy, I can look them in the high, hold my head up high, and say “Live the American dream, of course!”
P.S. Why, yes, I'm serious. I'll be hitting the streets all this week with this is my sign.
P.S.S. As a disclaimer to all you Philosophy lovers. I'm aware I'm misusing the word Giest. Thanks. As this blog should also function as a discussion board, please feel free to discuss this missappropreation of the term as well as the possible redundancy of the phrase "Philosophy lover".
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