If you read page three or live in Masur Hall, you know two girls got into a skirmish last week. They may go to jail for aggravated battery over an Instagram photo.

Possibly losing or delaying getting a degree, plus increasing their difficulty finding a job. Over an Instagram photo.

Regardless of any possible animosity that previously existed between the two girls, letting an Instagram photo be the straw that broke the camel’s back is irrational.

If only one or both had stopped to think, “If I’m sitting in jail next week because I attacked another girl with a weapon, will I still want to fight? Is the immediate gratification of showing her ‘she don’t want it with me’ going to still bring me joy a month from now? No, so I should stay here.”

This editorial isn’t to talk about them however; it’s using the fight as an example of how people, especially young people, often fail to act without thinking. Or make the wrong choice.

For example, it’s impossible to evaluate what benefits someone would find in posting a picture of them posing with a stolen item.

To be fair, part of it’s biology. Studies show the prefrontal cortex, doesn’t finish developing till around 25.

It controls mediating conflicting thoughts, choosing between right and wrong, predicting possible outcomes of things and it governs social control like suppressing emotional or sexual urges.

Even though bad choices somewhat natural for us at this age, we’re long past the age where we can get away with stupid decisions.

Some people make impulsive decisions saying, “I just want to live in the moment.”

And that’s ok. The Hawkeye isn’t suggesting you live a cautious lifestyle. But to quote American author Tony Robbin, “It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.”

So don’t let one small moment ruin what may be a great destiny waiting for you.