Prozac Consternation
I was deeply offended and insulted by the article "Shiny, Happy People" [Aug./Sept., 1995]. Prozac is intended to be an anti-depressant, not a miracle cure
for myriad illnesses which the author suggests.
First, Prozac is not a happy pill. It will not "cure" drug addiction or eating disorders.
Second, I'd like to comment on the quote from "Lillian," who said she was no longer orgasmic [because of Prozac]. The fact is, most clinically depressed people have little or no interest in sex. I think most depressed people would trade the ability to experience happiness for a little difficulty in achieving orgasm.
Third, I'd like to comment on the assertion that Prozac would transform us into "a New World Order society of passionless robots." Contrary to popular belief, Prozac does not deaden emotions.
Finally, asserting that Prozac would change someone's political views is absurd. I'm not sure what was meant by the statement, "Would John F. Kennedy have been voted in by an electorate of Prozac poppers?"
It is unfortunate that a magazine claiming to be on the cutting edge would propagate such destructive stereotypes.
Allison N., senior Southwest Missouri State U.
Your illuminating article on depression ["Friends in Low Places," Aug./ Sept., 1995] helped me feel less alone. I'm often happy, but
I sometimes get a major jolt of depression. It seems as if everything in my life is going wrong and nobody understands my problems. Believe me, this is not a
fun feeling. When it happens, I feel as if I'll never pull out of it. I've tried dealing with these problems on my own, but I'm starting to realize that this may not be the best solution. Knowing that others my age are going through the same ordeal lets me know that things aren't as bad as they often seem.
Farewell to alms
Rachel K. Bussel, senior U.of California,Berkeley
I'm extremely frustrated with one student's attitude about being on welfare while attending school ["Breaking Traditions," Aug./Sept., 1995]. The student states he "sees it as the government's investment in his family's future." I agree that education is important, but I feel his choice to have a family first then go to college should not be the burden of the taxpayers.
As a non-traditional student myself (I'm 23 years old and married), I am aware of the additional problems that this status may bring. However, I do not believe Uncle Sam should be the ultimate means of getting a degree because of the choices I have made.
I recently returned to school as a full-time student. I've been able to do so [with help from] the Federal Direct Student Loan program. However, my husband works full time and has postponed his own education so he can support our household while I complete my program.
Why can't the student or his wife lessen the burden on the government and society NOW? There's no mention of the couple's employment status. In the article,
the student states," It is absolutely imperative that you get your degree. [Otherwise], you'll be an absolute drain on society." Isn't this a contradiction? How is it not a drain when the student and his wife both chose to be full-time students and use welfare to support their family?
J.D.W., sophomore,
U. of Missouri, Columbia
ILLUSTRATION BY BRYCE MORGAN, ARIZONA STATE U.
tech-tock, tech-tock, tech-tock My technological clock is a-tickin'
You know, just a few months ago, when I was a college newspaper editor, I couldn't compose on a computer. I'd grab my trusty blue Uni-Ball Micro and go to town on a pad of paper. Sure, I got stares. I even heard a few gasps when I closed myself off in an office and scribbled out the weekly editorial.
And now I sit here staring at the charcoal screen that is chipping away at the remnants of what I used to call an attention span. "WRITE THE OCTOBER EDITORIAL!" the blank, still Untitled1 document screams. I'm fighting the urge to run spellcheck and word count right now, just for the fun of it. Just to ignore that sneaking feeling that this computer is rotting my mind (129 words so far, and Uni-Ball isn't in the dictionary) and that I'm turning into my worst nightmare: a techno-phobe.
Sure, I' ll admit it. I hate anything with the word "new" or "revolutionary" attached to it. I brag about the fact that I prefer the unsteady hum of a Remington on the monotonous buzz of a Mac. I cringe at the sound of keyboards clicking and my sentimental thinking of an old manual typewriter. The sight of a quill pen and makes the tips of my fingers tingle (224 words, Remington not over a PowerBook any day.
I can see it now group therapy for the technologically disenchanted, "Hi. My name is Colleen, and I'm a hitchhiker on the information superhighway." It all started with a mild twitch when people used the word "interface" in casual conversation. Later, my loathing developed into raging convulsions every time I heard the computer chime on.
I yearn for the days of long, illegible letters, stamp-licking and paper cuts. There's no such thing as an e-mail care package (323 words, drat! superhighway and e-mail are in the dictionary). I'm gonna throttle this monitor the next time it quacks at me.
But I digress. I'm not one to rose-tint the past, but I fear for my senses in the electronic future. I can already feel the communication gap widening — first it was the damn clock on the VCR; now it's the password for my voice-mailbox.
It's a conspiracy. But I won't take this evil plot sitting at my terminal. No sirree. Techno-phobes unite! Write to me today and share your computer anost!
My new address is uguys@aol.com.
Colleen Rush, Assistant Editor
Poll Question Do you consider yourself liberal or conservative? 800/6U-VIEWS 688-4397 Ext.65
Son of the Poll Question
Do you have a name for your "thingy"？
800/6U-VIEWS 688-4397 Ext.64
October 1995 U.Magazine 5