I agree with what you are saying, partially. While I agree that enriching ourselves in ancient history and culture can only help us grow (he who does not heed history is bound to repeat it), I also see how for some people, it just has no use. While it is great to know, it is not an essential skill to know like math and language are. And since the companies don't need people with this all round background you suggest, it goes on neglected. Not necessary for day-to-day life, unfortunately.

For the first paragraph, my humanities classes in college can help. Ironic, given that I am studying for engineering. Since I finally have the opportunity to put the knowledge I learned to use in the real world, forgive the incoming wall of text :P (Hope you guys are up for a history lesson...)

The Peloponnesian War was fought between the Athenians/Spartans/Greeks in general vs the mighty Persian empire. There was a lot of back and forth between the two factions over the years, with the Greeks being inferior in number but with heart and tactics to go around, while the Persians sought nothing more than slaves and an empire expansion, much like the Ottomans did to the Byzantine (Greek Roman) empire around the 1500s.

The war finally culminated in the battle of Thermopylae (I think that's the name). The Greeks, led by Themistocles, their military leader, abandoned Athens in order to set a trap for the Persians. They lured them into the narrow portion of a river near Athens, and the Persians, convinced of their power, went for the remnants of the Greek fleet. But when the mass of ships entered the narrow portion, they began to crash into each other. This caused a chain reaction that left the Persians severely depleted and confused, giving the Greeks a chance to emerge and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Democracy had won over dictatorship.

Plato was a student of Socrates, and spent much of his time analyzing the different philosophies of his time and attempting to come up with solutions to explain our nature and our purpose here. For example, he spent much time criticizing the Sophists, rich men who saw everything in life as relative, and taught the secrets of persuasion and trickery to aid in the rise of themselves and others to political power. Ironic, given the fact that they claim they know how to improve people. But how can one improve someone unless there is an objective truth?

These contradictions and much more were brought to life by Socrates, one of the greatest philosophers of all time. He lay the ground for Western philosophy and tradition, basing his teachings on the use of reason and logic. However, Socrates' amazing gift would draw the attention of enemies. Due to the fall of Athenian society, they looked for a scapegoat to blame, and chose Socrates. While he defended himself masterfully against his accusations, his fate was sealed from the start. He was sentenced to death by hemlock poisoning, quite painful. While given many opportunities to escape, he chose to stay and accept his fate, and follow his teachings to the grave. He himself stated that we have no rational reason to fear death, since we know nothing about it. To fear what we don't know is irrational.

I have not read the Illiad and Odysseus per se, but I have heard enough about it to paint a rough portrait. The context is the Trojan war in Greece, where the young and beautiful Helen is a princess and bride to be, but she was captured (went?) to the city of Troy. This caused a massive fury in Greece, and made all of Greece combine together to fight to get her back. Stories of Achilles' heel, the trojan horse, etc. all stem from this period. And Odysseus follows the story of Odysseus on his journey back from the war. It took many years and a perilous journey, but he finally returned. When he finally got home after 20 years, his wife failed to recognize him, but their dog, despite being blind, recognized his smell and pounced all over him, confirming his identity.

As for your second paragraph, I am afraid I am not American, so I can't be of much help there. However, Canadian history is right up my alley! Our whole history can be summed up with beavers (fur trade), lumber trade, creation of Canada in 1867, dominion of the UK, etc.

That's about all I can remember off hand. No internet used at all. All learned in school.

While that part is never explained in the movie, it is explained in a backstory novel that was released the same day as TFA called Before the Awakening (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Before_the_Awakening)

It explains that during her scavenging: "Rey came across an old flight simulator. She took the simulator back to the AT-AT she lived in and used it to learn how to pilot as a source of entertainment." Even her combat skills, which can assume she already has due to living alone on Jakku, are explicitly stated in the novel: she learned self-defense in order to survive.

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rey

1. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

2. Mass Effect 3

3. Deux Ex: Human Revolution

Wanted to nominate one per franchise, but honorable mention to KOTOR 2, the whole Mass Effect trilogy, and Dragon Age Inquisition.

Actually donated some non-perishable goods at my college today for some impoverished families that need supplies for the holidays. Our school has a Christmas tree style shelve set up in the atrium. But school ends today for the fall semester, and I kinda felt sad that it was barely half full. So I went to the grocery store across the street and picked up some rice, cookies and ketchup to put on the shelf.

It was a small contribution, but it felt good regardless :)

Actually in the exact same position as you: 19 years old, in college, never had a girlfriend. But the fact that I haven't been able to get any sort of experience with women doesn't bother me too much.

Firstly, it's important to realize that things come at their own pace. Some people learned to walk when they were babies before others. Others learned to speak before others. The same principle applies here. We aren't exactly losing out because we are a bit later than everyone else in terms of women. Sometimes being a bit late might actually be a good thing. I've had some friends who have been in relationships before, and I've learned quite a bit about the dos and don'ts of a relationship.

Also, sex and love isn't a race. It's sort of a sexualized view that we are shown in TV ads and shows and such that we have to get it going with girls towards the end of high school. It's obviously tough when all your buddies are doing it, but what's important is that it comes naturally. Don't force it.

Which leads me to my final point: be happy and be yourself. The thing that women really like is guys with confidence and who are sure and happy with what they are. Obviously, depending on the age, some factors come into account more than others, like money, social status, looks, etc. Each of those factors can be improved, but without confidence, you aren't getting anywhere to begin with.

So, keep talking to girls, like you said you are doing, but don't focus just on that. Expand your interests. Focus on doing a variety of things. Try joining a club based on your hobby if that's your cup of tea. Or try to get out to the gym to improve your health. By doing this, not only will you meet more people, but you'll also be expanding your horizons. Becoming a more interesting person with goals, dreams and aspirations. And women like men who are motivated and know what they want.

I have a Saitek Executive keyboard for my PC. I've had it for about 5 years now. Keys have a nice solid feel to them, it has a nice adjustable blue back-light, as well as on on-board keys for sound control. No complaints on my part. Simple, yet elegant and functional. Very happy with this keyboard.

In case some of you, like me, would rather not go through the hassle of Spotify/purchasing the song and just want to listen to it through good old Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjuuXgWhD3E

To be honest, I'm pretty much going through the exact same thing in college right now. Like you, I used to have low confidence and trouble talking with girls, but now I'm much better in terms of social interactions. I've even asked a few girls out, even though they've turned me down, but still, getting that courage was a massive step for me.

My advice to you would be just to be yourself. Don't convince yourself that you need to have sex now just because your friends are doing it now. I know all the stories about party hookups and college babes can sometimes make you feel desperate, but you've got to keep the larger picture in focus. Everyone is unique, nobody hits the same milestones at the same time, and nobody has the same values.

Focus on what you enjoy doing, on being with your good friends, enjoying your hobbies. That's my mentality at the moment. Some stuff will just come at their own pace. That doesn't mean to completely abandon talking with girls or trying to ask them out, but don't let that be your singular purpose.

If you just focus on enjoying yourself and being yourself, not only will you be more happy, but you'll appear more driven, more motivated, more confident. Not only do these qualities make you a better person on the inside, but people on the outside will also notice these qualities. That is what will set you apart, and that's what girls really want when it comes to finding long-term partners: someone committed, someone fun, and someone who has a life aside from chasing girls or having sex. Someone who has goals, dreams, and is willing to work and sacrifice to achieve them.

So, basically, don't worry about it. We're still young and we shouldn't bow to social pressure and have sex just because everyone else is, no matter how hard it is to resist the physical urges. There are bigger things in life then how many girls you can sleep with in a week, like our personal goals, values and dreams. If we focus on self-improvement, on what matters to us, and being the best person we can be, then you're putting all the odds on your side to land the girl of your dreams ;)

@KHAndAnime: Whoops, forgot to switch to US prices rather than Canadian currency during my searches. GTX 970s are much more expensive here :/

But like I said: a GTX 970 is his best bet, especially for a bang/buck ratio. If he's willing to break the 300$ barrier, then a 970 is the way to go.

Well, if you want to stick under 300$, then an NVIDIA GTX 960 would be a solid bet. It's in the 200$-230$ range, and from what I heard, it can handle 1080p gaming at a respectable medium-high settings and at solid FPS counts for modern games.

Now, if you were willing to stretch it a bit further and reach into the 300$-350$ range, a GTX 970 would be the best bet. I have one myself, and it basically maxes out most games at 1080p with 60+ FPS. Would also last longer before needing upgrading, especially if you are content with medium-high graphics. A GTX 970 would be my recommendation, but I know it's a bit out of your price range.

But if you say you are content with medium-high graphics settings for right now, a GTX 960 will serve you perfectly, and at a fair price for your budget :)