e: This came off a little more patronizing than I intended, so apologies

I think Pablo going into the military is the dumbest Into the Wild bullshit I've heard from him.

Right on. I got really upset when I read his response yesterday and I like Pablo, so I didn't want to come off as forwardly aggressive about my particular opinion, seeing as, if given to me at some vital junction in my life, my response would have been: "screw you". And it's just not productive.

I don't want to make projections about personality types of those in the military, those who would join, their motivations, sincerity and intelligence behind those decisions, as they are not necessary when white hits me with something as heartbreaking as:

I may have nightmares about my friend trapped and burning alive in an MRAP hit by an EFP.

and nowaypablo, you tell me what pretty much comes across as "I want to invite prospective trauma onto my own person that others have finally been able to vocal about their struggle after decades of stupid wars that have chewed up the young people of this country in some sordid version of nonsense 'adventure seeking'- 19th century mindset that has been thoroughly shitted all over for the past 50 years as a stupid, stupid justification for the tacit participation in the prolonged and unnecessary trauma of subjugated peoples just so I can wear an american flag toga and pose for the statue my children will carve of me with teary eyes while I dictate my letters for my autobiography"

That gets my goat.

Things you can do instead:

-Become a war journalist

-Do an ultramarathon across the Sahara

-Start a business

-Join a band and go on tour

-Move to another country without any friends or resources and struggle til you make it

-do extended camping in remote areas while hunting/gathering your own food

-ride your bike across America

Last word on this whole thing, I promise. I still like you, pabs, and that's part of the reason I don't think you should join.

edit: On this:

those who have gone through it all do not regret it.

Remember, when white said that, he didn't exactly say whether or not that was the opinion of his friends who had commited suicide.