Not a new user (someone thought I was a few days ago). Posting for a few reasons:
1. This is kind of like a central place for new and older users to meet and get to know each other.
2. Putting myself here may be helpful in case people are interested in the stuff in my sig.
3. Great reflection vibes
1. What year level are you in right now, and what are your subjects? (Mandatory)
Just completed first year uni (Bachelor of Science+Diploma in Pure Maths and Philosophy breadth at unimelb). Dreaming of doing at ambitious triple major in Chemistry, Physics and Psychology (or at least a minor in Psych) while completing an equivalent major in Philosophy under the breath component. Also studying for a Economics and History degree through University of London externals.
2. What movie do you most passionately hate? Provide justification. (Mandatory)
Most movies that are produced purely for commercial gain instead of striving to influence people's worldviews and imagination through interesting plots as well as great cinematic effects (refer to the TV and Movie recommendations thread for great films). So mainly rom coms. If I had to choose one in particular, Clueless.
3. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, what would be your weapon of choice? (Mandatory).
A great partner in crime-Newt Scamander from the Fantastic Beasts (Eddie Redmayne!!!). He would be able able to protect the human race and zombie population.
4. Who do you want to be as a person, what do you want to achieve? (Optional)
I'm still in the process of self-determination, figuring out how certain life circumstances have shaped my personhood and what values are most important to me. Hopefully I've turned out to be a somewhat good person who harbours a strong set of values and possesses a humble, genuine, warm and unassuming manner. I seek to better understand the world (philosophy, international relations, economics, social policy and anything and everything else it between), to understand why things are, or aren’t, the way they are (this probably sparked my interest in debating). Hopefully one day, I can focus on finding the good in people and do what I feel is right. Career-wise, I would probably like to pursue a career at the intersection of science innovation, social justice and international law (after I complete post-graduate law and materials engineering) while working in a few innovative companies (Google is the dream) along the way. I would also love to do freelance photojournalism and continue active volunteering/mentoring (currently I conduct robotics workshops to female high school students, teach sudanese refugees English and mentor indigenous high school students on personal development and educational opportunities). I may also spend a stint in Teach For Australia (uber competitive to get in but the work they do is amazing as a close friend of mine is a current associate), teaching science and philosophy.
5. If you had to summarise your life in a paragraph, what would you say? (Optional)
When it's difficult to describe your life, it's easier to relate to a character in a book of film. So I'd pick Emily Thorn from Revenge or Lisbeth Salander for The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo because I share certain aspects of my upbringing with those characters, have developed certain personality traits that are somewhat similar as a result of various experiences. Being born to a world devoid of happiness, love, connection and belonging.
If there is one life-changing experience, that is discovering debating. It's that debating taught me what I care about and what kind of person I like. I might have figured it out another way, sooner or later, but that's still what happened. And it's still a lot of what I am. I've met people who were more like me and made me more like them. It's a world you can belong in.
“We all have secrets we keep locked away from the rest of the world... Friendships we pretend... Relationships we hide... But worst of all... Love we never let show. The most dangerous secrets a person can bury are those we keep from ourselves”
Just living to hopefully see the light at the end at the tunnel. That isn't easy, but nothing doing ever is.