“One of the few good things about modern times: If you die horribly on television, you will not have died in vain. You will have entertained us.” – Kurt Vonnegut

It’s official…I’m hooked on 24! How this managed to happen only now is actually quite beyond me. Anyway, I took the time to catch up and all the episodes and can’t wait for season 7. In the meantime, I thought I’d offer some lessons 24 (and a few of my other favourite shows) can teach us about life.

The good guys can be bad. Put another way, not everyone should be trusted completely. Yes, it would be nice to live in a world of “full disclosure”, but that world doesn’t exist. Everyone has secrets (Desperate Housewives), not everything is quite as it seems (Lost), and even people on your team can have hidden agendas (Dexter, anyone?).

The bad guys can be good. Even though you’d like to think of your sworn enemies as, well, sworn enemies, sometimes they can come in handy. Usually, they have all sorts of information that could very well save the world. Of course, getting them to cooperate might require a bit of persuasion. (If the shock tactics fail, try a signed presidential pardon. They’re bound to talk with a little immunity).

Bureaucracy sucks. Nobody likes having to go through layer after layer to get the job done. And nobody likes having to deal with a boss (or “Division”) who gets caught up in details, losing sigh of the bigger picture. Like is often the case in Boston Legal or House, sometimes you have to break the rules and use unconventional tactics to get the job done. It’s for the greater good.

Delegation rocks. It’s amazing how things get done so much faster and better when you’ve got the right people in the right positions. Everyone knows what they’re good at and makes sure their specialities come in handy. The only way to solve the case in CSI is by working together as a team. And where would Entourage’s Ari be without contacts like Dana, Harvey, and a patient assistant like Lloyd?

Nothing is sacred. Basically, there’s no such thing as “off limits”. Everything is fair game and anything can happen. Lead characters get killed (Prison Break), innocent guys go to jail (My Name is Earl), and seemingly perfect couples break up (Scrubs). And if Nip/Tuck has taught us anything, it’s that anything’s possible (even growing an ear on the back of a mouse).

It ain’t over ‘til it’s over. No matter how bad things get, there’s always a way out. No matter how absolutely impossible the situation may seem, backup is just around the corner (and usually there right before you get shot). There’s always a way to solve the case and save the day. As long as you’ve got the right guy in charge, it’ll happen.

(Eugene Yiga is the editor of Varsity Blah and his latest book is available free, exclusively from www.varsityblah.com/about)

After twelve years of school and four years of university, I’ve been exposed to a lot of good and bad teachers. I’ve always felt that the ones who were clearly passionate about the subject were the ones who inspired us the most while those who blatantly admitted the material was “boring” didn’t help anyone out. A recent study by McKinsey offers some useful guidelines for educational policy. What are your thoughts?

(Eugene Yiga is the editor of Varsity Blah and his latest book is available free, exclusively from www.varsityblah.com/about)

What a game! South Africa’s 15 – 6 victory over England at the Rugby World Cup Final gave the nation a reason to smile. But way before that final whistle was blown, the atmosphere was electric. All over the country, millions of loyal fans showed their support. Flags waved, green jerseys made a showing (even in the unusually sweltering Cape Town heat), and all prayed our boys would bring home the gold. Fortunately, they did, and so the party continued for several days hence.

Here’s a question: What would have happened if the Springboks weren’t quite as fortunate? Don’t get me wrong; I think they worked incredibly hard and totally deserved the win. Then again, stranger things have happened. And so I ask, what would have happened? Would car horns go back to being hooted in frustration and rage as opposed to camaraderie and joy? Would Jake White’s head return to the chopping block, assuming it ever left? And would all symbols of national pride be quickly tucked away, left to gather dust as they eagerly awaited better days?

Why is it that the only time we as a country can be proudly South African is when our country gives us a reason first? As long as we’re winning Oscars or the right to host the Soccer World Cup, everything’s hunky-dory. But the moment crime stats are up or a celebrity is killed, all hands are off. Martin Luther King Jr said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands in times of challenge and controversy.”

Anyone can feel devoted when things are going well; that really isn’t an achievement. What is an achievement is being able to wave your flags (literally and figuratively) when things aren’t. What is an achievement is being able to love your country no matter what. That’s the mark of a true patriot.

(Eugene Yiga is the editor of Varsity Blah and his latest book is available free, exclusively from www.varsityblah.com/about)