Where the Kissing Never Stops

After reading "Where the Kissing Never Stops," I have come to believe that, in my opinion, the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence is actually both a good and a bad idea. People exercise their rights to do certain things yet have to limit it due to law. Joan Baez’s school is an example of people's choices of what they do and what they believe in. All throughout this essay, Didion provides us with the details about people’s thoughts, certain decisions they have made, and the reasons why the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence is a good and bad idea.

I believe this institute is both a good and a bad idea because people are able to study what they want, which is a good idea, and do what they want as long as it doesn't violate the law, but sometimes things can be taken too far, which is my reason for why it is also bad idea. "Well I realized, of course, that as long as I am in this flesh and this blood, I couldn't be perfectly nonviolent." Ira speaks out about being a vegetarian and that no matter what, he would be violent in some sort of way, even if it is just the slightest bit. The only way someone could be "perfectly nonviolent" at all times would be if a person just sits and does nothing for his or her entire lifetime. Further on into the story, the conversation moves to a man by the name of Marv. Ira said, "Marv is an honest-to-God nonviolenter...a man of honesty and love." But someone interjects and says, "He said he's an anarchist." Even if it seems as if there can be no nonviolence in this world of humans, it is okay for students to focus on the studies of it. It really isn’t hurting anyone. At the beginning of the story though, where the negativity came in, a woman by the name of Mrs. Petkuss had her belief that the school wasn't a brilliant idea. She quotes, "We wonder what kind of people would go to a school like this..." Many others wonder the same thing and quite of few disagree to having the school, which is also my reason for why it is a bad idea. It causes a certain dispute among the people.

Looking at this scenario in two different ways prove my opinion for why it is both a good and a bad idea. It is fine when people exercise their rights but it would also be nice if people limit themselves to certain activities. Sometimes things can be taken too far, whether or not they believe it is fine or not, therefore supporting my reasons for why the Institute for the Study of Nonviolence is both a good and bad idea.