Elmwood High School - Inscripta Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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LITER AR Y

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ELEPHUMIES Q. How do you make an elephant float? A. Two scoops of ice cream, a bottle of seven-up and one elephant. Q. Why do elephants wear red runners? A. Their white ones are in the wash. Q. Why do elephants have wrinkled ankles? A. They tie their sneakers too high. Q. How do you tell if an elephant is in the bathtub? A. He can’t close the shower curtain. Q. Why did the mouse marry the elephant? A. He had to. Q. Why do elephants have flat feet? A. From jumping out of trees. Q. Why do elephants clip their toenails? A. So their ballet shoes don’t wear out. Q. How do you tell an elephant from a blueberry? A. By his eyes. Q. Why do elephants walk sideways in a meadow? A. So they can trip field-mice. Q. What would you say if you saw five elephants walking along a road in pink tee-shirts? A. They were all on the same basketball team. Q. What were Tarzan’s last words? 72

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MUST WE EONFOHM The answer to this apparently complex query may be found at the very base of our social system. This is founded upon the belief that a number of individual intellects can direct their collective ac¬ tions as a coherent unit, while simultaneously in¬ suring that each individual shall have freedom of personal action. The problem of conformity resolves itself into two separate aspects. The first of these is conformity in a sense of adapting oneself or complying, in contradistinction to conformity in the sense of making oneself similar to others. In our society it is immediately apparent that, while maximum persnal liberty may be de¬ sirable, the destiny of the whole group must not be endangered by one of its components. In a practical sense this implies that at times of crisis such as wars, individual liberties must be sacrificed for the survival of the entire group. Thus, conformity in the form of conscription or drafting for armed ser¬ vice is justifiable, even within a society stressing freedom of the individual (or non-conformity). In this regard it is also clear that the individual must adapt himself to his society by accepting certain restrictions and responsibilities in order that the society as a whole may function efficiently. This concept of efficiency introduces an opposing conceptual train, that is, does conformity in the sense of making oneself similar to others, result in efficiency for the society as a whole? On the sur¬ face it would appear that having a society of au¬ tomatons would simplify government, since decisions could be speedily ratified if all thought alike. While this is true, it ignores the fact that our society only operates while it is refreshed by a stream of new ideas, and that, without these, it would stagnate and die as have so many in the past. Without non¬ conformists, our ancestors might never have dis¬ covered America, or, for that matter, the wheel. Sci¬ entific and technological progress, in great measure, depends upon originality of thought and action in scientists, politicians and especially in the populace as a whole. Only public interest and political open- mindedness have enabled scientists to break their ties with the earth, and to unleash the great flock of progress made possible by space research. This, however, is only one side of the story. It may be argued, for example, that total con¬ formity would result in the end of wars, mankind’s greatest scourge. While this may be true, and while wars may be tragic, they also provide an excellent means of bettering man. Conquerer and conquered alike are subjected to an inundation of new ideas, and research often makes its greatest discoveries at such times. Only cataclysmic events such as wars have saved mankind from a slower or surer fate— stagnation. Thus, it seems clear that while conformity as an end is undesirable in our society, it is necessary to indulge in conformity to assure that the society will continue to exist, supplying a suitable environment for individualism. The individual must sacrifice his indivduality to at least some extent, or he may lose it entirely. —George Durnin, 12-1. “EPICIDIUM” The Buildings wrecked askew, destroyed, and still Lay in shambles out of which steamed the stench of blood of sweat, of grime, dust, thick with moist ure hung low upon the bodies of those who had dared to venture near. The hush was broken only by the wailing monotone mine whistle which prayed unanswered to the sky for none remained to hear it. And far away show Poodles still sprawl at their masters’ feet; And tea is served at three. —Mildred Paige, 12-7. 74