deep thought for a Monday morning

[anotheranon]

I talked to my friend G. on the phone over the weekend - it's been awhile since we chatted, so we did some catching up.

The conversation turned to politics, the recent March for Women's Lives, and one thing G. said stuck in my mind: she's not been following politics lately because she has too much else on her plate. Like a lot of my friends and acquaintances, she's underemployed, constantly trying to make ends meet, going without insurance, etc. It's not that she's apathetic, it's that she's so filled with anxiety over immediate problems that she simply can't concentrate on the world at large.

I wonder how many other people are going through the same thing - so busy chasing the rent check that they're too tired or preoccupied to be outraged by the Iraq prisoner scandal or any of the other national messes.

Comments

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

I read a debate in the media about this, not long ago. it was said having too much to do, cleaning house, work, care for children, care for elders, laundry, cooking, etc, was a real threat towards democracy.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Exactly! Personally, I vent over politics as a way to AVOID my own personal problems - what is it PiL said, "Anger is an energy"? I'd say you've hit the nail on the head - an overworked, stressed out populace is gold for politicians who want to pull a fast one.

Do you have a link to this debate?

[tommdroid.livejournal.com]

ack no, it was in a newspaper in Swedish, not even in digital form :(

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

I think it's curious that you get so emotional about politics "as a way to avoid my own personal problems" -- if you dealt with you personal problems, would you be a happier person, a happier individual? Is there a way for you to achieve a balance where you note the political situation, but you focus on what you *can* change (what's inside your own house or job) and not worry about the world at large?

Just some thoughts -- you're not alone. My father rages about politics as a way to avoid thinking about the problems with his marriage, and my brother does the same to avoid thinking about not having any sort of luck in his relationships.

I'm on the other side -- blissfully and happily unaware of what's going in the world today. I do this deliberately because every time I hear some shit happening, I can think of something even worse that happened in the 14th century, and I *sigh* -- not much has changed in 600 or even 6000 years, so there's no point in fussing about it. Plus, most of what I read in the media are lies -- no one in the media tells the truth any more, so why should I get upset over lies created to sell soap, cars, and deodorent? *shrug*

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I think it's curious that you get so emotional about politics "as a way to avoid my own personal problems" -- if you dealt with you personal problems, would you be a happier person, a happier individual? Is there a way for you to achieve a balance where you note the political situation, but you focus on what you *can* change (what's inside your own house or job) and not worry about the world at large?

I think I misspoke myself, so early in the morning. "Avoid" is perhaps not the word I wanted. I don't let my observation of politics take precedence over my day-to-day life, and I do try to change what I can.

However, I do observe that some current political trends DO affect me in my day-to-day life, and maybe this IS why I get so riled up: If it becomes harder for women to get birth control and health care, this DIRECTLY affects me. The current assault on civil liberties affects me directly - how long before our fanfic becomes a target of the "new war on porn"? A kid I grew up with got shipped to Iraq, and I was worried about him.

And I'm not trying to put responsibility for my problems on the government/the media/the omniscient "them", but these things do have a habit of trickling down from on high unless we are vigilant, thus making my problems worse, or giving me new problems. Does this make sense?

I'm on the other side -- blissfully and happily unaware of what's going in the world today. I do this deliberately because every time I hear some shit happening, I can think of something even worse that happened in the 14th century, and I *sigh* -- not much has changed in 600 or even 6000 years, so there's no point in fussing about it.

I have to admit I'm surprised at your seeming apathy. I can only muster the blissful ignorance on weekends, when I refuse to watch news/read the political blogs/pick up a newspaper. The rest of the time, I can't ignore it. Yes, shit was worse in the 14th century and basic human nature doesn't change, but surely history has demonstrated that the advances we have made are because people got upset about it and did something?

Plus, most of what I read in the media are lies -- no one in the media tells the truth any more, so why should I get upset over lies created to sell soap, cars, and deodorent? *shrug*

A fair point - much of the media is a joke and I'm finding that it's best to look to the reporting of other countries to get a better rounded view of one's country of residence (that goes for other countries too). Doesn't it concern you that there is an effort to manipulate you?

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

However, I do observe that some current political trends DO affect me in my day-to-day life, and maybe this IS why I get so riled up: If it becomes harder for women to get birth control and health care, this DIRECTLY affects me. The current assault on civil liberties affects me directly - how long before our fanfic becomes a target of the "new war on porn"? A kid I grew up with got shipped to Iraq, and I was worried about him.

Wow, for me this is some pretty long-shot stuff to be worried about. Dubya can make all the noises he wants, but he's going to get his arse shot off by an irritated PMS-ing woman if he cuts off health care/birth control for women. It's all a Republican feint, all sound and fury, meaning nothing. And our fanfic won't ever be affected because we'll just find another way to get around the system -- either that, or the FBI is going to be sending millions of middle-aged female slash writers to prison. Lotsa luck, fellas! And Iraq -- I have at least four students sent off each semester overseas. It will be good for them -- they will learn discipline, fortitude, and courage under fire. I don't mean to pooh-pooh the war, but most of my students are in reserves and are looking forward to participating in a "real thing" for the first time in their television-breastfed lives.

I have to admit I'm surprised at your seeming apathy. I can only muster the blissful ignorance on weekends, when I refuse to watch news/read the political blogs/pick up a newspaper. The rest of the time, I can't ignore it.

But I'm not apathetic -- I know the horrors of war better than most, as I've studied it for my Ph.D. (Medieval combat and Chivalric Literature). My point of view percieves your passion about current events as being a "news junkie." I've seen this malady before -- it's the same sort of obsession with current events that women get obsessed with a certain soap opera. They get upset if they miss a show -- they tape the shows -- they know all the life stories of the characters by heart -- if one of their favorite characters hurts another, they take it personally -- they get affronted if their favorite show is maligned -- they long to discuss their show with others, and it is the center topic of their conversation. Sound familiar? Just replace the show with "world politics" and you'll see what I mean.

No, world politics does not affect me personally except when it is on a grand scale, like 9/11 or Madrid. I'm flexible enough to sound Canadian when in the USA, and I can pass for French in Europe. *French shrug* And to do something, go ahead and vote, make a referendum, participate in local politics if you have strong feelings. You'll make a difference on the local scale. But unless you're going to run for congress or the senate, there's not much you can do just by worrying, now is there?

I grew up in San Francisco and Berkeley during the Civil Rights protests -- I remember the gas bombs on the Berkeley campus, the Vietnam war rallies. I went to over 30 funerals post-AIDS when it first hit the Golden City. And to paraphrase Yoda: Do, or Do not. Don't just worry about something. You'll just be spinning your mental wheels. Focus in on one thing that you can change, and do that. Make a difference.

My father has fussed over me for years, saying that I was apathetic and I didn't give a damn about politics, and that I should protect my citizenship. Granted, I have a job that hasn't changed much in 2000 years, and my uniform of cap and gown was fixed in the 1400's. But I make a lot of changes in the world -- every day I affect the bright young minds in front of me, making them understand history, critical thinking, and open their minds to a tolerant world view. I can't march on Washington, but I can help one young mind understand how wrong racism, bigotry, or misogyny is. I fought this semester for religious tolerance, if you recollect. It's a hard battle!

Perhaps I'm apathetic about world events, but I do care about my students, and I do care enough to make a difference on an individual level. God knows I could make more money doing something else, eh? It's all a matter of a point of view, I guess. :)

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I wish I had your trust in "the system" - I am of the opinion that politicians will get away with as much as they can, and as Bush and Co. seem to view the American populace as little more than an "interest group" that they can ignore at will, I do not have great confidence that the pendulum will swing the other way without great effort. Once something is law, it's hard to take back. I suspect that you don't live in the vacuum you think you do :/

I am not sure what to say about your thinking that going to Iraq will be good for your students. Again - as someone with no familiarity with the military I'm reluctant to shoot my mouth off with such little to go on, but with the torture scandal and continued assaults against troops, I have to admit I am less optimistic about how much going into combat will help your students.

I do commend you on your efforts of raising the conciousness of your students and see that you care very passionately on the local level, and I commend you for standing up for your curriculum against the irate parent :)

Am I a news junkie? Well, duh :P And you do make me think that perhaps I should try to do more in small ways, on the local level, rather than taking on the whole of Washington myself (it's tempting, being so nearby). There is something to be said for the whole "think globally, act locally" thing.

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

I do commend you on your efforts of raising the conciousness of your students and see that you care very passionately on the local level, and I commend you for standing up for your curriculum against the irate parent :)

Perhaps we both agree, but we're seeing the issue from different perspectives. I can't pound on my congressman, so I pound on my students to do the right thing, and give then the ethical and logical reasons why it is important to be tolerant and respectful. I don't see politicians as being evil as much as they are just *stoopid* and unaware of classical mistakes. Granted, ignorance can cause just as much damage as deliberate injury.

Am I a news junkie? Well, duh :P And you do make me think that perhaps I should try to do more in small ways, on the local level, rather than taking on the whole of Washington myself (it's tempting, being so nearby). There is something to be said for the whole "think globally, act locally" thing.

Yes, give it a try. You can't do anything about the torture scandal, but perhaps you could volunteer for just two hours every other week at a women's shelter, helping women learn computer skills so that they can get a job -- and so they can get away from a husband who is beating them to death. In my mind, that effort would be constructive and satisfying, and your energy would be much better used doing that than worrying about world events. What do you think? :))

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

A conversation with you is often thought provoking - thank you! I do have some new perspectives to ponder...

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :)

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

I try to keep up with what's going on in the world, although sometimes it's discouraging sifting through all the "junk" stories (pretty much anything to do with celebrities/entertainment, sports, gardening, home renovation, ads, and all the other etcetera stuff* that newspapers have written up two weeks in advance and print instead of news) to find the things that have actually "happened". To me, doing this falls into the same category as "if you don't vote, you don't get to complain about the government" ... if I don't stay informed, I don't have any right to complain about any offensive legislation/event that takes me by surprise (plus there's the danger of missing out on something GOOD because I didn't know I was entitled to take advantage of it)


*I would have said "fashion", but I was afraid anotheranon would hurt me. :p