Stuff Normal People Like

If there is one way in which normal people all over manage to be the same differently, it is through Alma Mater nationalism. The formative years for this love typically occur between the ages of 18 and 22, give or take, in which nascent Alma Mater nationalists practice the fledgling sport of University nationalism.

“Real” nationalism describes the phenomenon of a large number of people, most of whom will never meet or even hear of each other, who imagine that they comprise some sort of community with each other. Scholars of nationalism ask, among other profundities, what it is that makes people willing to fight and die for the flag.

Most university/alma mater nationalists would never sacrifice their life for school spirit while sober, but that is probably the only thing they wouldn’t do to glorify their college. Like regular nationalism, normal student nationalists feel an almost tangible connection to other students, especially the other, equally nationalist ones. Sitting down or not wearing your school colors at the football game is a big no-no.

On the more day to day side of things, your normal university nationalist will, in addition to driving to away games, almost certainly list the school football or basketball team as one of their “Interests” on Facebook, and will definitely sport a school flag pinned to the wall of their dorm or frat house room.

Normal people love to belong, and for many, 18 to 22 was the greatest extended period of belonging (or of having a sense of belonging) ever experienced. It is no surprise that normal people carry this love with them throughout life, on the backs of their cars, tops of their heads, and in their hearts.