Ms. Marion’s column had many valid points. Her roommate does deserve to be commended, while people simply dying their hair, growing a goatee or adopting an obscure philosophy should not be. However, Ms. Marion makes a large mistake by implying that student’s discussion are pseudo-intellectual, self-absorptive and stagnate. According to Webster’s Dictionary, stagnation is the cessation of movement, activity or growth. I believe these discussions are none of these things. These discussions can cause a person to look at the world from a different perspective and question their values and actions more analytically. I believe discussions are a crucial part of higher education, and not something to be looked down upon.

And, Ms. Marion, you must also see the value of discussion; if you do not, why are you writing a column in an attempt to communicate with a large audience? Your column has the same intention as these late-night conversations that you belittle: Both are meant to be thought provoking, making others think more deeply about life and their place in it. Ms. Marion, if you truly believe that these discussions are worthless and stagnate, then you should stop wasting your time writing and start acting.

Brian Johnson

Senior, psychology