The College Age Mind

In response to the discussion question, "Describe the difference between personal problems and social problems. Give an example," Miss Frea, my fellow classmate, contributed:

Social problems are those that affect a specific group of people like the wage gap between genders. Personal problems are those that affect a specific person on individual breakup like being fired, or my own personal problem at the moment: my boyfriend of a year breaking up with me.

I always thought the most unfortunate aspect of high school was that it was full of high schoolers, and perhaps college will be the same way. Gosh, I hope not.

Oh boy, oh boy

Economics went well, but social problems is proving a particularily difficult pill to swallow. For outraged discussions of free nature, objective reality and the like, you know where to go. Over here I think I will simply share my frustration in song. Well, several songs. See, there is this great poem entitled "Dies Irae (Days of Wrath)" which is part of the Requiem Mass. It has been given quite a treatment over the years.

Here's how it starts:

Day of wrath! O day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophets' warning,
Heaven and earth in ashes burning!

First, in the original gregorian chant:


Verdi:


Mozart: