Oklahoma State University - Redskin Yearbook (Stillwater, OK)

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LETHARGY LOOMS Writer cites shutdown syndrome Over several illustrious years at OSU in the early '70s there was nude pot- smoking on the Strip, random streaking throughout the campus and even demonstrations against Richard Nixon. The headlines and editorials on the Dai- ly O'Collegian pages documented state legisl ators' efforts to end statements of obscenity, the students' movement to legalize marijuana and the parody of student dress codes. Yes, times have changed in the 80's, and so has the Meaning of Life. At OSU life's greatest question seems to have been forgotten, losing much of its excitement. The Meaning of Life has taken on new, exclusive overtones. Of course OSU was never a hotbed for activism, but cheap labels describing what was happening here in the 70's pale in comparison to present ones. The Meaning of Life for the majority of OSU students currently translates into the following: Jam shorts come in 1000 different designs: If Ronald Reagan didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent him: trading wheat options on home com- puter: you are what you wear: eternity should be spent in a tanning bed: selec- ting VHS or BETA: obtaining all credit cards: guzzling wine coolers and dropp- ing Certs. 1 remember when life's meaning here was not characterized by materialism, conservatism and a peculiar fascination for TV game shows and soap operas; it translated into speaking your mind and using your education to help improve society, regardless of political affiliation. What happened? In 1972, my mother showed me The Meaning of Life. She took me to a rally at the Interna- tional Mall protesting Richard Nixon's commencement speech. I carried a large sign scrawled in Crayola which showed Nixon's face in a medicine bottle over a skull and set of crossbones. It was a very strange feeling to be a 7 year-old kid, waving my fists at U.S. government corruption with hundreds of others, but it seemed to mean some- thing. Back then there was some indication of a social consciousness. However, that seems to have disappeared for the present. Ironically, a 1975 study by Yale Uni- versity described Stillwater as breeding still minds. I'm sure many would agree this characterization still applies. The situation could be called the Shutdown Syndrome, which is charac- terized by being easily propagandized. But there is still hope for the masses. The peace movement, though smaller, may be the last significant remnant of the real Meaning of Life at OSU right now. There are still a select few who are now working to end the nuclear arms race and educate the public about real concerns in the world. All of us should be thankful for that. —By Miles Moffeit campus life«2 7

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THE REAL WORLD students make It on their own OSU mom drops off her pre-schooler before going to class herself (right). In a photographic self portrait, Chris Barnes pours over stacks of homework at his apartment (above). lames Chavez seems to enjoy scraping and puttying his house in preparation for painting (far right). photo by Chris Barnes X-- 2 8 •campus life photo by Mychaelyn Rine