Paper or Plastic?

A few years ago, I went back to my old high school to request my transcripts. I was returning to college, and after spending so many years as a long-term caregiver, I realized I still—and probably never will—get used to modern culture. I told my younger classmates, who were half my age, to never take freedom for granted.

What did I mean by that? Well, when I was in high school, I could casually walk through the side doors with a pizza. If I tried that today, I’d be risking my life. We could steal a kiss without fearing cameras or judgment. And no, I don’t mean without consent—there’s a term for that—but forget it, it’s not even worth explaining.

Back then, our every move wasn’t tracked by cell phones, and advertisers didn’t bombard us every second of the day. We had space to think, to play, to create. Yes, it was lonelier sometimes, and isolation could feel unbearable, but it made us work harder. It made us care more. We didn’t have metal detectors, or have to show ID to enter the school. There were no cops stationed at our high school. This was 1988.

Fast forward to 1998, when I went back to visit and was shocked to hear students call their teacher “Miss.” I asked, “What happened to Mrs. ___?” The teacher replied, “It’s cultural.” I said, “Disrespect isn’t cultural.” Things were simpler, freer, when I was in high school. I know I sound ancient now, but I’ll never forget the time a stranger pulled me out of class because they saw one of my pieces of art on display and wanted to hire me.

The world looks very different from the perspective of freedom. I quickly learned that you can’t say anything to a college staff member, even in jest. I once jokingly told my college therapist, “OMG, your voice sounds like a little girl on your answering machine. We can warm you up to sound older and more sultry for the promo.” Those comments cost me—shunned, dropped from therapy, and judged by adults I had been friendly with for months, even a year. Now, it’s impolite to ask if someone is planning to have kids or talk about anyone as a sexual being. We’re expected to conform—dress the same, act the same, say nothing out of line—and if we do, we get rewarded.

We think we’re free, but we’re not. And that freedom is eroding more every day. We can argue about meaningless things, but that’s about it. In the words of George Carlin, the only real choice we have is “paper or plastic”—one will cost you and rip open on the way home, and the other will pollute the planet. Choose wisely.