Originally published September 30, 1999
by Adam Zurn

This summer I had one of those brief moments of clarity. It's that moment when the light clicks on and everything makes sense. It's that split second when you're able to cut through the fog of everyday distractions and for the briefest of moments all the pieces fall into place. Then of course, it's gone almost like it never happened. Sometimes with a little luck, you can take some of the clarity with you.

I did.

We're all familiar with those nagging questions-What's the answer to life? More specifically, how do I ensure a life of happiness? Through the ages, there have been many different ideas on the answers to these very questions.

There is the existential idea of what is good for me isn't necessarily good for you. Translation-The things that make me happy, might not make you happy.

Then there's the Melville idea of duality that there isn't just one answer to life. Translation-Being a finite creature, we can never hope to understand the meaning of life when it was created by a infinite God for infinite reasons.

That's the problem with philosophers, they never really answer the question. Usually, they're to busy arguing whether the chair in the corner really exists or not.

Then came Douglas Addams' Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy which gives the answer to life, the universe, and everything-it's 42. I know exactly what you're thinking at this very moment, "Forty-two what?" Addams suggests that the answer isn't as important as the question itself. In order to understand the answer, one first has to understand the question. The question in the book turns out to be, "What's seven times eight?" I know it doesn't add up, just read it.

Back to my moment of clarity. I was taking a class here over the summer while living on campus. I hadn't taken summer classes before so I wasn't sure what to expect. First off, there's nobody here. I think I knew three people on campus during the summer session I was here. I assumed I was going to have a roommate so I didn't take a TV, and I didn't feel like dragging a computer to the tenth floor of Burrows so I planned to use the labs.

Things are much different here in the summer so meeting people is difficult. There might have been five people on my whole floor while I was here.

And without television to numb the boredom, I had a lot of time to read and think. The first thing that I realized is that television is a terrible waste of time. When you're not subjected to it for a while, you come to realize that it is nothing more than a mind numbing device meant to pass the time when you're bored and to take the place of real socializing.

I enjoy my private time probably more than most do, but I think most need something more. There's one thing we all crave and fear we might not have. That thing is companionship.

That's right, something as simple as companionship. Why do we join fraternities and sororities? Why do we worry so much about fitting in and being accepted? Why do we chat with strangers on-line? We're all looking for companionship?

I'm going to stick my neck out here on the line, but I think the answer to life is companionship. Sure, but what about money you're saying? You might think that it's the answer, but it really just dulls the pain like television, chat rooms, and alcohol.

Companionship can involve several different things-it can be a significant other, a good friend, or maybe even a loyal pet. It all comes down to companionship and the many forms it takes when we strip away all the other pointless distractions of our lives.

You might not believe me especially if you've had some form of companionship your whole life. But if you ever lose it, you'll quickly learn it's true value.