Wednesday, April 2, 1997
The Merit of Immaturity
or
Daffy Duck the Righteous
by
MF Jesting
A four line philosophical play:
Maturity: "What do you want to be when you grow-up?"
Immaturity: "I don't."
Maturity: "You don't what?"
Immaturity: Thumbing his nose, "I don't want to grow-up."
Most adults consider immaturity a negative quality among their peers. At one time or another just about everyone has had the intended insult flung at them, "You're so immature. Why don't you just grow-up?" Some of us have heard it more than others. (When two of your idols are Daffy Duck and Hawkeye Pierce, you get a lot of that.) Immaturity an insult? Hmmmph, how ludicrous. I've always looked at Immaturity as a positive quality. You know, a compliment. "I'm Immature, huh? Aww, go on."
Immature people are usually curious, unpredictable, rebellious, have a willingness for change, and most importantly display their sense of humor. And it's that sense of humor that keeps life in perspective (your most important "sense"). Ironically, the people who are telling you to grow-up usually lack all of the above. In fact, they're probably incurious, dispassionate, steadfast, and most of all, anal. They want you to be like them. You see, Immaturity makes life tough for Maturity. Let me illustrate further with a couple of quotes from fiction author Tom Robbins.
"When people tell you to shut-up, they mean stop talking. When they tell you grow-up, they mean stop growing. Reach a nice level plateau and settle there, predictable and unchanging, no longer a threat." Therefore, if you're Immature you're still growing, still learning, and questioning conventional concepts. This Fool thinks that is pretty darn smart, although in Mature circles it's considered tedious, meddling, trying, and insubordinate.
Again to Mr. Robbins: "Humans have evolved to their relatively high state by retaining the immature characteristics of their ancestors. Humans are the most advanced mammals -- although a case could be made for the dolphins -- because they seldom grow-up. Behavioral traits such as curiosity about the world, flexibility of response, and playfulness are common to practically all young mammals but are usually rapidly lost with the onset of maturity in all but humans. Humanity has advanced, when it has advanced, not because it has been sober, responsible, and cautious, but because it has been playful, rebellious, and immature."
It is an atmosphere of Immaturity in which change and progress thrive. This is not to suggest Immature people are altruistic (sacrificing themselves for the good of all). They're far from it. They're Immature solely for Immaturity's sake (it is rather fun). The advances Robbins' speaks of are only by-products of Immaturity, not usually the intent of it. But they come none the less.
For example, I'm certain the writers and artists of the good old Warner Brothers cartoons were pretty Immature. The result? Quality art work and humor that has stood the test of time. Hence Daffy Duck was a by-product of Immaturity and representative of curiosity, change, and humor. Some rather righteous qualities for a duck with a speech impediment whose philosophy was, "consequences, shmonsequences."
The Motley Fool has taught you it's not so bad to call yourself a Fool. I suggest you work on becoming an Immature Fool. An Immature Fool is perpetually growing, changing, questioning, learning, and keeping things in perspective with a sense of humor. Think about it. Now you'll have to excuse me, the Three Stooges are on TV.
Jon Heck
An Immature Fool