Why can't the world just stop for a moment, and re-evaluate itself?  Just stop and do a quick take, to see what it's actually doing.  Would it help people realize that fighting is pointless?  Would it help them to realize that it's much better to wear a smile than a frown?  Would it really help to know that there is always someone out there who would drop everything to help them?

I think it would.  I hope it would.  I dream it would.

Because that's what everyone needs to do.  They need to stop the bullshit, the fights, the humdrum lifestyle that they lead.  They need to find something to do, because every moment that you waste on pointless stuff is one more moment that's gone forever.  You can't get back the last ten minutes you spent arguing on the phone.  You can't get back those hours you just sat alone, feeling sorry for yourself.  You can't get back those times or those tears, and what point did they serve in the first place?  Did they make you feel better after you cried them?  Even if they did, would it have not been so much quicker (though probably not easier) to just go to the source of the pain and talk to them?  No, not e-mail or text message, not IM or talk on the phone - really talk to them.  Sit down with them.  People are so much more conducive when you are actually THERE.  They won't say 'no' as easily, and they won't seem nearly as cold-hearted as you have pegged them to be.

So why doesn't the world just stop for a moment so everyone can realize this?  I can tell you why.  Because we're all to damn wrapped up in it all.  People love drama, they love fights, they love to pity themselves.  Hell, they have TV shows on now that contain all three!  Watch MTV for any amount of time and you'll see that I'm right.  The most horrible, the most base of human nature is shot, cut, edited for time, and displayed for the viewer's pleasure on any TV in the United States (and some foreign countries).  Case in point - what's coming to the theatres (and an MTV production, go figure) that is filled with the most pointless and dumb SHIT ever recorded on camera?  That's write - Jackass II.

And don't correct me on the title - I don't terribly give a rat's ass if it's incorrect.  I just know that having a snake try to bite a sock in which a guy's dick is in is completely and utterly pointless (not to mention painful).  But do you know what?  It's going to be the top box office hit when it comes out.  I don't care.  Adults will see it, teenagers will see it, little kids will lie to their friends and act like they saw it.  It was the same way for the first movie.

Now, I have a confession to make.  I did somewhat enjoy the first movie.  I was drawn in by the reviews of my peers, and I decided to watch it.  But the only scene, the only skit that I really enjoyed was the rental car demolition derby.  I thought that was pretty good.  And good thing it was at the very first of the film, because I would have lost interest a long damn time before the movie was over if that had been at the end.

Regardless, Jackass II represents what we've gone back to in this generation.  We're not sophisticated (even though we act like it), we're not happy with ourselves (even though MTV tries to help with that), and all we like is a little potty humor.  Something so dumb that it actually makes every one else look smart in retrospect.  The dumbest, most inbred son of a bitch can go to that movie, point at the screen, and go, "Well, damned if that ain't the stupidest shit I ever saw.  You wouldn't catch me doing that dead."

And it makes sense.  People are so insecure with themselves, it's not even funny.  They're always worried about 'the other person' when it turns out the 'other person' doesn't even matter that much.  Or, ironically, the 'other person' just wants you to act like yourself because that's when you are your best.  They actually like you more when you don't care about what they think, because that's how you were when you started out - but now you're so afraid to offend them that you won't be yourself, you won't do what you want to do.

Screw that.

I try to go by a philosophy (Yes, try is the key word - it's not an all-around good philosophy, it doesn't apply in every situation, but it's a damned sight better than trying to please everyone), and here it is : do what you want to do, when you want to do it, and then you'll actually be happy for once.  That way, instead of being tethered to people who just hold you down, you can find people who are like you, people you can relate to.  They're out there, I promise.  You've probably walked by them at some point in time, gave them a sideways glance and just kept walking.  The chances are good, but as long as you are limiting yourself, you'll never find them.  You'll never know what it is to be truly happy and secure in the way that you are.

So what is the point of all this?  What's the point of listening to some guy rant about what he thinks needs to happen?  Nothing.  There is absolutely no point to this if you have already closed your mind to the idea of just stopping your world for a second and re-evaluating your position in life.  And when you do, it won't take long.  You've always had dreams and ambitions that seemed so out there, so far away - but in reality all they take is a little sweat, a little effort, and you're there.  So try to take this to heart and not sweep it under the rug.  This isn't me trying to sell you some book about how to get your life back in order - this is just someone who wants to help you, to help the world in general, become a happier person, a happier place.  Something that can be done, little by little - and it will all start with a single commitment.

So what are you waiting for?