A-Level paths...

The A-level results are out, splitting the population into two distinct categories - semi-orgasmic euphoria and post-castration guilt-ridden sorrow.

But this is finally where real choices are made. Arts? Science? Engineering? Business? Law? Medicine? Vigilante? These choices have to be considered, and i remember that during my time, it was a freakin brain fuck.

I almost chose vigilante. Just run off somewhere, stop a heinous robbery or murder and die in the aftermath, sacrificing myself and blah blah blah. Didnt work - turns out the murderer didnt have the balls to kill in the first place... *sigh*...

I narrowed it down into something simpler. A state of mind. What degree does my state of mind most comply with? What comes most naturally??

Of course, i naturally love to talk crap and all - does that mean im arty farty??

Nahz...

Here's what I thought through... and here's my advice to those who are seeking to choose.

I focused my attention on a stone - and let the first thought of relation drift into my mind.

The sciences are exploratory, explanatory and somehow... kind of like a purgatory. They dont really DO much, but they will explain why and what and wherefore. When a scientist looks at a rock, it's a mix of history and theology. What is this rock? What's the mineral composite? What's the chemical properties? Where did it come from? And they will write mountains of essays on it. The scientist is an analyst - a person who turns the abstract into simpler factual statements.

An engineer will look at a rock and think - what can I do with it? I could fashion this rock into a tool for cutting. Is the weight sufficient for use as, say, a hammer? Is the material too brittle? Are there others like this rock? Could I throw it? Is it a proper projectile? A engineer will think of application, not the history, nor the geographical ethics involved in obtaining such a mineral - he will think of the present and the future. He is a solutionist - a problem-solver. His job is to meet demands happen physically.

A businessman will ponder on the econo-financial impact of the rock. How valuable is it? Can it be sold? What are the operations involved in getting this rock in the first place? Will the cost of obtaining this rock outweigh the actual revenue of it? Is it scalable? How can I market it? Who will buy it? Who are we selling it to? Whats the longevity of this rock? Can we improve it? Are there others who have it? The businessman will think of everything that encompasses the rock, and what can make this rock work for him. He doesnt care how it works - that's engineering. He doesnt care why or what this rock is - that's science.

The arts student comes along, sees the rock, and goes "IT'S ALIVE!!" Basically, he "metaphorizes" the rock. He will compare the rock to other objects - immortalizing it in text or words or picture. He will dress up the rock, in lighting, photoshopping and history. The rock will be used as a window to the times and the people involved - like how the AK-47 symbolized the Terrorists. The arts student deals with people - making them see what he/she sees, interpretting for those who cannot interpret on their own. The arts student takes the simple things in life - and makes them abstract.

After going through this, whether correct or not, I settled with Engineering. That's my choice. Im pretty sure that others chose and they chose differently.

To each his own - and to his own he is accountable.