Your illuminat-
ing article on depres-
sion[ "Friends in
Low Places," Aug./
Sept., 1995) helped
me feel less alone.
Prozeic Consternation I'm often happy, but
I was deeply offended and insulted I sometimes get a major jolt of depres-
by the article "Shiny, Happy People" sion. It seems as if everything in my life
[Aug./Sept., 1995]. Prozac is intended to is go g wrong and nobody understands
be an anti-depressant, not a miracle cure my problems. Believe me, this is not a
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 com-
ment onthe quote from Lil-
lian," who said she was no
longer orgasmic [because off
Prozac]. The fact is, most cliri-
cally depressed people have lit--
tle or no interest in sex. I think
most depressed peoplewould,
trade the ability to experience <
happiness for a little difficulty t
in achieving orgasm.
Third, I'd like to comment
on the asser tion that Prozac
wo uld t rans fo rm us into "a
New World Order society of
passionless robots." ContraryI
to popular belief, Prozac does
not deaden emotions.
Finally, asserting that Prozac
would change someone's politi-
cal views is absurd. I'mnot suremwhat was futfeeling. When it happens, I feel as if
meantby the statement, "Would JohnF. I'll neverppull out of it.lI've tried dealing
Kennedy have been voted in by an elec- with these problems on my own,butI'rm
torate of Prozac poppers?" starting to realize that this may not be
It is unfortunate that a magazie the best solution. Knowing that others
claimirng so he on she cuttinrg edge mey age are goinsg thrroglhtiresm
would propagate such destructive ordeal lets me know that things aren't as
stereotypes. bad as they often seem.
Allison N., senior, Rachel K. Busse, senior,
SouthwestMissouri State U. U. of California, Berkeley
ILLUSTRATION>Y o RYCe MORGAN, ARIZONA STAT

Farewell to alms
I'm extremely frustratedwith one
student's attitude about being on wel-
fare while attending school ["Breaking
'Traditions," Aug./Sept., 19951. The
student states he "sees it as the govern-
ment's i nvestment in h is fam ily's
future." I agree that educat ion is
important, but I feel his choicesto have
a family first then go to collegesshould
not be the burden ofthe taxpayers.
As a non-traditional stu-
dent myself (I'm 23 years old
and married), I am aware of
the additional problems that
this status maybring.Howev-
er, I do not believe Uncle Sam
should be the ultimate means
of getting adegreebecause of
the choices I have made.
I recently returned to
school as a full-time student.
I've been able to do so [with
rhelp from] the Federal Direct
Student Loan program. How-
ever, my husband works full
time and has postponed his
own education so he can sup-
por t our household while I
complete my program.,
Why can't the stuent or
his w ife lesse n th e burden
y on the government and soci-
ety NOW? There's no men-
tion of the couple's employ-
ment status. In the article,
the student states, "It is absolutely
imperative that you get yourrdegree.
[Otherwise], you'll be an absolute
drain on society." Isn't this a contra-
diction? How is itnt a drain when
thse student and Iris mile hoth choseteoi
be full-time students and use welfare
to support their family?
J.D.W., sophomore,
U. of Missouri, Columbia
SU.

tech-tock, tech-tock, tech-tock
My technological
clock is a-ticking
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 EDITORI-
AL!" the blank, still Untitledi document screams. I'm fighting the urge to run spell-
check 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
to the monotonous buzz of a Mac. I cringe at the sound of keyboards clicking and
grow sentimental thinking of an old manual typewriter. The sight of a quill pen and
a crusty bottle of ink makes the tips of my fingers tingle (224 words, Remington not
found). Give me a chisel and a slab of granite 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 conver-
sation. 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, butI 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 angst!
My new address is uguys@aol.com.
Colleen Rush, Assistant Editor
Pail Question
consider yourself
liberal or
conservative?
800/6U-VIEWS
688-4397
Ext. 65
Son of the
Poil Question
Do you have a
name for your
"thingy"?
800/6U-VIEWS
688-4397
Ext. 64
October 1995 " U. Magazine 5

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