say farewell to the night, and say hello to artificial light.

I had a realization the other day that people are obsessed with the night. it's always, let's go out at night, I'll work during the day and hang out at night, etc., etc. our social lives practically revolve around things that we'll do that night. but, why? wouldn't it make sense that, especially in nice weather, we focus more on the day (yeah yeah, carpe diem that shit) than the night?

apparently not.

so, I asked myself why we find ourselves in our most comfortable state at night into ungodly hours of morning. what on earth is so appealing with the night?

I think part of it has to do with the darkness as a mask. it sounds cliche (very shakespearean, I know) but it has to partially be true. girls always say that their complexion looks best NOT in direct light, so they appear more attractive. that, in and of itself, is an empowering facet of night. more than just being shadowed, many times night makes you invisible. pretty helpful when you don't think you're looking your best. darkness enables you to take on an alter ego, someone who isn't yourself. since you don't need your face to emit emotions and betray you with your true identity, you can be whoever you want to be, fearlessly.

seems like reason enough for night to be so popular with adolescents and young adults who are, like myself, pretty much terrified to be themselves for who they are and constantly find character flaws. when you don't have to be yourself, you don't have to confront your real flaws, the internal ones. hiding behind the shadow of night is just a convenient escape from everyday fears and faults. pretty pathetic, but seems logical enough.

and so I hope the appeal of night has become illuminated for some of you. I kind of don't want to hide behind night anymore. yeah, sure it's fun sometimes, but going to sleep at an early hour definitely has its merits. I promise you that. so, carpe diem, not carpe noche (or whatever night would be in latin).