Graduation Advice

I finally have gotten around to reading P.J. O'Rourke's wonderful advice for graduates, only a solid 1 month after it was published. FWIW, here is what my advice for graduates would be:

1. Don't change the world.
2. Don't recycle unless it makes financial sense, like if someone pays you to do it.
3. Consider smoking, but also consider that it is very difficult to quit.

I think the graduate who considers why these things can be argued for will have a good understanding of the world. The hidden messages are:

1. The world is a pretty good place if you are able to read/listen to this, drastic changes are not necessary.
2. If recycling actually uses fewer resources than it consumes, it will be an opportunity for profit that entrepreneurs will not pass up. Remember that when you are choking on the fumes of the recycling truck that goes around picking up small blue bins.
   
3. There is more to living than maximizing life expectancy, but be careful with decisions that are hard to reverse.