Blogging on unpolitical topics like this is not at all frivolous — the

accusation of frivolity is occasionally made against me, believe it or not.

On the “larks” vs. “owls” issue, at least, there is a real social problem

here. Look at this plaintive heart-cry from a reader:

“Mr. Derbyshire—I read with delight your exhortations to the youth of

today who stay up late. As one not so youthful anymore but recently enough

so as to still have strong memories of college life I think the issue is

deeper.

“I’m an early to bed early to rise kind of guy. Always have been. Then I

went away to college. Lived in a dorm for two years. Went to bed far too

late to enjoy the intricate beauty of a British literature class at 8:00 …

“The problem wasn’t with me or my declining morals. It was an absolute

problem of the declining etiquette of the young. You see, all it takes is

one or two guys to keep up a whole floor of fellows. When loud music is

playing and activity is going on it is much easier to join in than to battle

the forces of sinful intrigue and get some sleep.

“Those who love quiet will always lose to those who love noise, and those

who go to bed early will never win the struggle against those who follow the

’owl’ lifestyle. It is the way of things.

“I suspect that if colleges, along with single sex, single orientation,

single fraternity, single etc and so on, were to offer incoming and

returning students the chance to live in a dormitory which maintains a

strict 10:30 pm lights out policy it would have a waiting list those in

pre-school would have to sign up for.

“It only takes one mad cow to infect and ruin the state of tons of otherwise

good beef. So it is with college students. If only etiquette

were to once again thrive in our society, where one thought of the other at

all moments we would see a restoration of good habits of the generally

intelligent college set….

“It is not until 3 am that a dorm quiets enough to allow for sleep, a

condition that feeds on itself as others join in that which they cannot win.

“Thanks for bringing attention to the plight of the early-to-bedder. It is

a cause which society has too long pushed aside. It is a noble

struggle, a struggle for the hearts and minds of our young. Keep at it!”

Thus inspirited, I hereby raise the banner of Larkdom! Rally round who

will!