The Buzzes around campus were a great addition to the community. Representing the tradition, creativity and overall spirit of Tech, they eventually came to represent the immaturity, lack of spirit and overall disappointment certain Tech students should feel for themselves.
These generously donated and colorful additions to the campus reminded me of the various reasons I like Tech. A personal favorite was the one on the 5th Street interstate bridge. Sponsored by the College of Engineering and designed by fellow Industrial Designers Society of America members, it was goofy, charming and representative of what we saw in Tech.
It was great because it was even better than the sum of its parts. The nerd sandals with socks, the incredible metal Mohawk, the hilarious pocket protector and the general “bling” attitude of this Buzz were all reflective of the reason why I can appreciate Tech.
Unfortunately, this edifice was one of the first and most prominent installations to go through a series of vandalisms. From breaking the antennae to essentially disfiguring the design, I saw the immaturity most Tech students seem to possess.
I would like to mention some new directions in reasoning and logic. Just because you failed your last calculus test doesn’t give you the right to get angry at this school. Stealing the Ts around campus, slipping out silverware from the dining halls and talking smack about UGA are all inappropriate but traditional activities that are perfectly within reason. Destroying these enriching and well-crafted statues because you can is not.
I’m not asking whoever did these acts to come forth, confess and seek redemption—I’m asking you to feel sorry for yourself, because if there’s anything wrong with Tech, it’s usually your types that are causing the mess.
School spirit at Tech is difficult. A form of school spirit for me is to get angry and say “I hate Tech, it’s too hard.” But this phrase is a symbol of Tech, and I don’t go spray graffiti on Skiles or quicklime Yellow Jacket Park. I simply vent and then go on with my work, and later come to enjoy the wonderful traditions that shape Tech into an experience that I have come to enjoy.
I can take pleasure in the numerous and detailed traditions and stories that make Tech different, like George P. Burdell and Clean Old-Fashioned Hate. I started a tradition with my roommate from freshman year to throw our ice cream cones at Towers since we lived in Glenn (it looked pretty disgusting).
These mundane and arbitrary tasks, like the Cake Race or the Triple Play, are there not to make us miserable, but to make us laugh at our misery. I pulled an all-nighter for the Cake Race, for example. These are all aspects of tradition, and they’re not easy to do or keep up with, but they’re part of our college experience.
I won’t pretend like I’m some huge fan of football or basketball, but I’ll always support Tech over the opposition, because that’s what spirit and commitment are. Going around and vandalizing campus, littering and supporting other schools isn’t a good way to appreciate this place.
If you’re unhappy with Tech, find something to enjoy. The experience of Tech is of rigor, but partying as well; of despair, but laughter all the same. Because Tech life is difficult, we can learn to take ourselves less seriously and needlessly Facebook until 3 a.m. or skip one class to go to Junior’s.
These are the aspects of Tech that make it more enjoyable because they’re not about hurting the school, but enhancing the overall experience. I simply want students to have pride in their school, or at least pride in themselves that they’re at such a difficult school and that they’re scraping by.
That’s the kind of affirmation people need, which tradition can provide. So why deface our campus? Why sabotage tradition and ruin what little pleasant atmosphere we have? Why spoil the Buzzes?
All I know is that whatever kind of person does such things is no better than a dawg.