We are all terrible people

Everyone loves it when class is cancelled, especially when it’s that one class that you actually fucking hate but always force yourself to go to (looking at you, any class before 10 a.m.). There is seriously no better feeling than getting an email with the header: “Class Canceled Today.” I don’t think anyone has ever felt anything other than an overwhelming rush of joy and relief upon receiving that email, and for good reason. I’ve certainly never felt bad about it. 

But there’s one problem - professors normally cancel classes last minute because they’re either sick or because they have a family emergency. Oh shit. Am I allowed to revel in my newfound freedom at the potential cost of a professor’s wellbeing? 

So what’s the deal? Why does this one simple email kill all empathy within us? Are we bad people for celebrating the misfortune of others because it’s convenient for us? Well, let's evaluate: Will I be doing anything productive with my newfound hour of freedom? Absolutely not. Have I gone to this class in the last month? Also no. Is it two weeks out from finals and having class might be really useful? Of course! Do I care? Not really. 

I would argue that, yes - we are all, in fact, just terrible and selfish people who care more about getting a day off than about the wellbeing of our professors. But I have to say… that extra hour of sleep is pretty goddamn nice.

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