Skeptical Sisson Superficially seen at Midd

Author: Douglas Sisson

"Let's just stop by. At least be seenÖ" Sound familiar? If it doesn't, then you don't eavesdrop. I have heard the "at least be seen" reasoning a few too many times to ignore. What does it mean to be seen at a certain place or with certain people? This is a question often taken for granted here at Middlebury. The answer - image. Or at least the illusion of an image.

Image has fooled me once or twice - I used to be a Republican. In fact, I also used to date girls. But now I've found my way, and that's what college ultimately should help you do. Sure, my college experience took a certain path, one year being attracted to girls, and the next boys, but equally as significant changes happen to anyone graduating from Middlebury, some sooner than others.

For me, adhering to the illusion of Middlebury's image conscious society no longer matters to the extent it once did. It does not bother me to be seen hugging a girl or grabbing coffee with a guy, even in dining halls on Saturday and Sunday mornings where judgmental eyes are alert to any deviations in one's Facebook relationship status.

It wasn't so long ago that not popping my collar was a conscious choice made after hours of mental deliberation. Just this fall I was questioned to why I was wearing red pants. Believe it or not, I've never even been to Nantucket, but I do like matching bright articles of clothing. Who conceives this superficial social doctrine and why does it matter whom we choose to spend our time with or whether our collars should be upright or down? Well, because at Middlebury, image and association are the first two criteria of judgment.

We have the different athletic teams, the internationals, the hippies, the hipsters, the Quidditch players and so on. Generally, you don't know if that person considers themselves defined by those groups, but they dress like they do and they hang-out with people who do, so you just assume. All this is doing is further subdividing a college community that actually functions best when everyone embraces and loves one another.

Or, so what? "That's the way things are," you might say. I disagree. I have navigated the social waters of Middlebury for four years and have found my lack of "anchoring" to be the reason I have such interesting and diverse friends. This doesn't mean I don't have any close friends or a history with popped collars, but it has allowed for me to experience the variety of people here.

As students, the moment you come out of your closets of pre-conceived notions of how to interact socially, only then will your minds be opened to Middlebury's intriguing social culture. January term is only weeks away and a prime opportunity to nurture past relationships while opening your judgmental hearts to new ones. Force yourself into socially awkward situations, remember to smile and enjoy the magnificent pleasures of meeting new people. And remember, alcohol is not a prerequisite for socializing with new people. Sure, it's an effective social lubricant, but just like everything in life, a healthy balance is the ideal.

So the next time you want to be seen, how about declassifying yourself from Middlebury's rigid social pretenses. You might be surprised at what your eyes will truly find, that is, a fantastic college culture of lovingly eccentric people. With that said, I think it's time for a love revolution.

Douglas Sisson '07.5 is an International Studies/Latin America major from Oak Brook, Ill.