Article: Happy Birthday, Hitch: A Letter of Advice to Young Contrarians

Happy Birthday, Hitch: A Letter of Advice to Young Contrarians
http://www.brainpickings.org/index.php/2012/04/13/letters-to-a-young-contrarian-hitchens/

Beware the irra­tional, how­ev­er seduc­tive. Shun the 'tran­scen­dent' and all who invite you to sub­or­di­nate or anni­hi­late your­self. Dis­trust com­pas­sion; pre­fer dig­ni­ty for your­self and oth­ers. Don't be afraid to be thought arro­gant or self­ish. Pic­ture all experts as they were mam­mals. Never be a spec­ta­tor of unfair­ness or stu­pid­i­ty. Seek out argu­ment and dis­pu­ta­tion for their own sake; the grave will sup­ply plen­ty of time for silence. Sus­pect your own motives, and all excus­es. Do not live for oth­ers any more than you would expect oth­ers to live for your.

---SPSmith