Luke Freeman

Okay, I’m about to go to bed but I’ve got one quick comment.
Okay I’m back to finish this off.

One thing I’ve learned: irrational behaviour is simultaneously the beauty of humanity and the bane of our existence. It is what makes things fall apart, whilst making the things that succeed so much more special.

Love and hate are both irrational, but so is complacency.

All things considered, I see myself as a pretty rational person. But then I stop for a moment and realise that most people would see themselves as largely rational, because they’re basing it on their own perspective.

I am easily confused. Seriously, I think one of my biggest shortcomings is not being able to take hints, I pay a lot of attention to detail, but I often way misinterpret the details. If I had a dollar for every time I thought someone needed comforting when in fact they need space and time alone… put it this way, I would not be in deficit.

Human beings seem to get things wrong all the time. Perspective is a big issue. For example, I am always excited to see people that I care about (unless I’m in big trouble). I know that is surely not the case for everyone, people often get annoyed or complacent with seeing people the like and need time apart to appreciate them more. However, time and time again I am taken off guard when my presence is unappreciated. From my perspective I cannot see why people aren’t as excited about company as I am. I can understand it, but I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. It does not matter how rational we are, our perspective will always cause irrational feelings.

What I am learning is that irrational feelings are okay. It is just what you do with them that counts.

Those big romantic gestures that you hear about are great examples of how one act of irrationality can be amazing or devastating. I think we all need to appreciate irrationality for what it is. Although there are devious reasons for irrational behaviour, most of the time it is all well intentioned but often misinformed.

All things beautiful: hope, art, culture, love, ambition and generosity. They result from irrationality.

But so does mis-communication, war, discrimination, heartbreak, and despair.

Humanity is irrational, it hurts, but it is also the most beautiful thing when we are lucky.

This is another article that I wrote for The Peak, the SFU student newspaper.

Many Canadian citizens are outraged about the recent election. In their minds, it achieved nothing else but to strengthen an unpopular minority government. Voters are only appropriately represented when every vote goes toward putting someone in parliament. There are discussions everywhere about “electoral reform”, “proportional representation” or a “single-transferable vote” but many people are wondering what on earth do they mean. British Columbians have an opportunity to change their electoral system in the May 2009 referendum. However, all the sensationalism, criticism and advocacy surrounding electoral …

Ismayil uploaded a video that was made from this years IYLC.

Spot the Luke

It was a fantastic conference and I would love to do it again sometime! Recommend it to everyone!

James McNish and I wrote a response to an article (Four Things We Learned From The 2008 Federal Election) in the SFU student paper “The Peak.” We hope it gets published (it was a response to the opinions editor), but just in case it doesn’t, it is here for your viewing pleasure.

JJ: 1. The Canadian parliamentary system is broken
We have just concluded an election that served absolutely no purpose whatsoever. The ruling party has not changed, nor have the parliamentary standings of the other four. There were no issues of substance debated, no pressing national issues resolved. The only …

Finished writing my Cambridge application last night now I have to get my hands on a printer/ink, mine’s all out! Well, all I wanted to say is that it was an interesting experience having to write down things like my career goals etc… kinda very reflective… especially since I still have only very vague ideas of where I am headed.

So, here it is… this morning was the first time I cried this year. That now makes it 8 or something since I was younger.

I received an long, abusive message from someone I that I thought cared about me and understood me. It cut right to the heart of me. But all I can seem to do is be polite.

I’m sick of people judging other people, especially if they don’t know the facts.

I just don’t see why people intentionally hurt others.

But when it comes down to it, I finally realised that I deserve to be loved, and nothing could make …

I was thinking earlier tonight that the most annoying person to me in the whole entire world is myself.

This is true inasmuch as every time I realise that I am annoying, hurtful, or letting someone down it drives me up the wall. I think it gets to me too much. My nature, upbringing and several key events have shaped me in ways that I am still not entirely happy with - even the things I like have sides to them that drive me up the wall.

I’ve accepted who I am, and learned to still love myself, warts and all. But …