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

[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?