Published: July 19, 2008 04:15 am         

Teen Talk: Check with Chad: Keep asking questions

Dear Chad,

Lately I have been thinking about things that I've never really thought about before.

Is there a God?

How was the Earth created if there isn't?

Why are we here?

What is love? Things like that.

I know these sound like really stupid things to think about, but I can't help it, they are all I can think about.

Is this normal at all?

Sincerely,

Pondering

Dear Pondering,

The questions you are asking yourself are questions that philosophers have been asking for centuries.

Yet, after all this time, there is no answer that everyone can agree upon.

Great historical figures such as Plato, Socrates and Rene Descartes, have come up with great philosophies in attempts to answer questions.

Descartes even went as far as to not believe in everything and anything until he concluded that he must exist for he was doubting. This brought upon his famous "I think, therefore I am" quote.

Even modern-day philosophers have tried to tackle difficult questions.

George Carlin, the famous comedian, is seen by many people as a philosopher. He questioned everything, including simple things such as hats and their relationship to religion.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that only you can come up with an answer to your questions.

Who knows, maybe someday you will be the next Plato? Whatever you do, try not to lose that insight you have on life.

I find that questioning everything will give you better answers than accepting everything.

Sincerely,

Chad

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Dear Chad,

Usually the summertime means two months of no school and freedom to kids all around the United States; but, for the last few years it has only meant two months of boredom.

I try my best to have a good time, but I always find myself sitting in front of the computer and trying to find stuff to buy next year for school "" this could possibly be the geekiest thing I've ever said. I'm never quite sure what kind of things to do during the summer. Do you have any ideas?

Sincerely,

Bored

Dear Bored,

You are bound to hit a slow rut in the two months you have. I suggest doing whatever you can to spend your time away from thinking about school. I, for one, go to bonfires at my friend's house or go camping. You may want to think about trying to find a job throughout the summer. If you were to get a job, you not only would have something to do, but you would be making money at the same time. I think that would be a very intelligent idea.

Whatever you decide to do, try your best to have fun with it. No one should have a boring summer; it's just not healthy for the spirit. I hope your summer gets better.

Sincerely,

Chad

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Dear Chad,

I'm not quite sure if this is a problem or not, but sometimes I find myself having conversations with myself. It's not like split personality or anything, I just find myself in conversations on subjects that I'm concerned about. I know this sounds really crazy, but I'm hoping to find reassurance that I'm not completely nuts.

My mom and dad told me that it's a normal thing. Is it?

Thanks,

The Voices in My Head

Dear The Voices in My (your) Head,

Almost all people talk to themselves, but many of them do not realize it. If a person debates in his mind on whether or not he should make a sandwich for lunch, is he not communicating with himself via his mind? Many writers communicate with themselves through the characters they write about. People communicate with themselves in a different ways; it's just a way of making sense of our lives to ourselves, and a good way of making difficult decisions. I wouldn't worry about it.

Sincerely,

Chad

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Chad Shipman is a junior at Unadilla Valley High School. You can send your questions to Chad by e-mail at chad’shipman21@yahoo.com, or by mail to Check with Chad, c/o The Daily Star, P.O. Box 250, Oneonta, NY 13820.