Thomas Hobbes described the life of man as “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.” Despite being somewhat overused, this quote does posit important questions about our society: if man is so solitary in nature, why is he so eager to collaborate with his peers?
Some might point to the hierarchical structure embedded in clubs. From a Western perspective, the oldest organized clubs were the fraternal orders created during the crusades. Medieval guilds accomplished that which the individual could not: to control the practice of their craft and protect their working rights in a particular town while safeguarding their place in their particular community.
From a more modern perspective, the oldest club is Freemasonary, whose current incarnation dates back to 1717. This club is strictly structured, complete with secret passwords, governing bodies, and member ranks. This sense of rank and position decided by membership lingers in our modern society. One sees it mirrored in the initiation processes of today’s fraternities and country clubs, whose members also possess a certain clout merely by being accepted.
This being said, there is one key, overriding reason why human beings join clubs, and that is because we are social animals. Perhaps Hobbes is unnecessarily misanthropic, or perhaps we fear and recognize the prospect of his quote and work to change our nature. Either way, the same conclusion is reached.
Somewhat rejecting the hierarchical nature or the elitist tendencies of the past, SFU clubs — be they ethnic clubs, debate clubs, or geek clubs — are attracting members not because of a desire for esteem, but because those involved genuinely want to meet people with similar interests.
There are endless niche clubs at SFU that exist purely for the love of San Guo Sha, or crafting, or East Asian chess, and while it’s next to impossible to talk about all of them in one column, here’s a look at several that might make your next trip to campus more enjoyable.
For the stargazers among us, why not set your sights on the Astronomy Club. For “anyone interested in astronomy, cosmology, and the universe in general,” this club can connect you with fellow would-be cosmonauts at star parties, astronomy-related movie nights, and the occasional meteor shower to boot.
If the limitless universe isn’t your cup of tea, then perhaps a real cup of tea might be better. Members of Thé SFU Tea aim to encourage and maintain the appreciation of tea in all forms, meaning this club could be your ticket to delicious treats from all around the world. With any luck, it could turn into a Zoolander Maori tribesmen moment.
From high tea to high tech, those searching out a true niche club can engage with the first university club of its kind anywhere in the world. The SFU Bitcoin Club will educate you in the emerging world of virtual currencies and the future of money, eventually hoping to make SFU the premier university for innovation by making it synonymous with Bitcoin.
Whether it’s in outer space or cyberspace, SFU students are sure to find somewhere they can feel at home on one of the university’s many campuses. Nevertheless, involvement shouldn’t end with the receiving of a diploma. Whether it means rallying with fellow radicals to protest a new high rise, or joining a gym to make new friends and pursue your passions, being an active member of your political community will mean a life that isn’t “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.”
In the end, being involved with clubs is not just about turning your university experience into the best years of your life — it’s about freeing yourself to continue exploring for the rest of it.
