From the Editor's Desk

What I've Learned

On a relatively regular basis during the past 10 years, Esquire Magazine enlists the insight of an American icon - usually male, usually old - to impart the fruits of his wisdom in sound byte-worthy statements. They labeled this column "What I've Learned," and an anthology of the "best of" is now available in handy book form. (Pick this up! )

Although celebrity columns are somewhat lazy, editorially speaking, "What I've Learned" is usually effective. Esquire is no longer the American publishing icon it once was - a fact that saddens me even though it doesn't surprise me - but as a nod to the institution that inspired me to enter this profession many years ago, I've elected to offer my own "What I've learned" - most appropriately titled "What I've Learned so Far:"
 

On High School

Read everything you can. The stories, trivia, and insight you'll gather will be the fuel for your sex life for years to come. (And you'll have no other time in life to absorb them.)

The people who are having a lot sex at 16 will be having very little of it at 32. Fortunately, this formula works in reverse.

It's better to be smart than cool - as hard as this is to take at the time.

Pick a sport, any sport. (If this is out of the question, pick an instrument.)

Pay less attention to your college of choice's admissions policies and more attention to their alumni employment services.

On College

Never skip a class, and never skip a party.

The people you meet here will be more important than any class you ever take.

When in doubt, be bold. If you succeed, you're a hero. If you fail, you have a great self-deprecating story to tell at keggers.

On Working

Don't be afraid to be fired. It's usually better than quitting.

A good boss doesn't make you feel like an employee.

Nothing you learn in college prepares you for assignments with no preordained methodology.

It's almost always who you know. sad but true. (Refer to "The people you meet here." item in On College)

At the beginning of your career, it's better to be "product" than "overhead". Once you've climbed the ladder, it's better to be overhead.

On Women

Everyone gets rejected. Everyone. So when you go down, you may as well go down in flames. (Refer to the "When in doubt." item in On College.)

Don't be nice, but be well-mannered.

Relationships are miniature economies. Come to grips with your import/export ratio and choose accordingly.

As long as you're single, always have options.

Never forget the importance of respect, in both directions.

R A Miller

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