In the Western world, we have no right of passage to become an adult. Our ancient ancestors used to hunt, kill, but now what? Just existential dread and expensive therapy? Enter a relationship you’re not emotionally ready for? Remove the N plates from your car? 

If you are a faithless European, there’s basically no tradition to signify the beginning of your adult life. And so maybe the modern churchless just panicked and upon the moment of their release from institutional life thought, “Well, maybe I should do everything from this moment onwards with a straight face, that way my character can be defined in two clear stages, smiling fun and mature proactiveness.” 

The young men of ancient African tribes hunted wild boar, antelope, dear. In the modern West we have adopted this tradition of murder. Only it is no longer animals we hunt — Now, it is our sense of humour.