And most regrettably, I stopped hanging out with certain people because I felt like they would be a drag on my newfound social ambition. So did I. And I've be

And most regrettably, I stopped hanging out with certain people because I felt like they would be a drag on my newfound social ambition. So did I. And I've been haunted ever since by a TV show that perfectly captured my experience. It was "The Square Dance" episode of "The Wonder Years", when Kevin wouldn't hang out with the girl he wanted to because of what other people would think. The closing voiceover: "The funny thing is, it's hard to remember the names of the kids you spent so much time trying to impress. But you don't forget someone like Margaret Farquhar. Professor of Biology. Mother of six. Friend to bats."