Opinion: Why I stopped caring about politics

Just keep in mind: the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.  – Epictetus

When I was younger, I gave way to one of the classic follies of youth: I loved to discuss politics.

I used to be quite passionate about certain candidates and particular policies. In fact, as a sort of mental fencing exercise, there were many times when I would go around looking to debate people with different opinions. It certainly made for some fascinating discussions. But I realized a simple but essential truth: none of it mattered. I could pontificate all I wanted, but the truth was that my concern with general political issues did nothing to change the circumstances in the world around me.

In fact, I realized that not only did caring about politics accomplish nothing, but the only reason I had often debated politics was because of my narrow-minded youthful competitive pride.

Stoicism is an ancient Greek school of philosophy that requires identifying the elements in our lives which we have control over. The Stoic argument is that if there is something outside of your control, there is no rational reason to worry about it because it’s outside of your control. If something is within your control, there is no reason to worry because you are in control. When this Stoic dichotomy of control is applied to politics, it becomes apparent that the only relevant politics in our lives are the political aspects of life we have control over.

So, I stopped both discussing and generally caring about modern politics.

When people ask me what I think about a particular political hot button issue nowadays, unless I intimately know the individual as someone interested in ideas for the sake of themselves, I just answer that I do not care about or wish to discuss politics, but that I only care about ideas and theories. I realized that discussing politics did nothing but create tension between people. It unnecessarily flustered people, and distracted from the present moment. 

Seriously ask yourself: have you ever had a productive political discussion? Because after some serious reflection and the confrontation of an uncomfortable conclusion, I can say that I for one, have not.

I have great discussions about philosophy, psychology, and other ideas of a practical nature, but the reason that they are productive is that they are practical questions. Politics, on the other hand, is ultimately removed from the lives of most individuals’ locus of control. Additionally, due to the polarized nature of our world, these conversations usually resemble a mental jiu jitsu match more than a joint effort to solve problems.

I am not advocating that we should not fulfill our ethical and civic duties. I simply believe the scope of one’s actual duty lies in one’s self, one’s family, and one’s community, and seldom goes beyond these thresholds. I will try to improve the world in whatever capacity I can, but worrying about issues beyond my control is nothing more than a fool’s errand. Though, if I was ever put into a position where I could make a difference directly, my zeal for politics would return because, for once in my life, it would become relevant.

Considering the incredibly political nature of American culture and society, many people find my apparent political apathy frustrating. Some may think that my apathy stems from a disregard for the world around me, but nothing could be less true. 

My apathy exists precisely because I care very deeply about the world around me. I care so much that I am not going to let the noise of the world distract from practical action that pursues the good.

I believe that my newfound apathy to politics has saved me. It has saved me from a system that accomplishes little more than the cultivation of hate between two rigid political ideologies. I have learned how to focus on what I can actually do in the world, instead of arguing about what other people, who I have no power over, should be doing. I have learned that real political life, for most individuals, occurs at the local level and I only need to concern myself with my own duties and responsibilities. 

I invite all to do the same. Look at the world around us. Realize, it will largely be the same whether we care or not, and whether we debate or not. Our feelings will not change Washington D.C. Let us choose to focus on the things we have control over. Let us help our friends, our families and our communities. These are the people we need to care about. Do not let the illusion of doing good through political debate prevent us from realizing the immediate good we are capable of.

Kristian Fors is a student at Utah State University majoring in Economics and is an opinion columnist for the Utah Statesman. He enjoys studying psychology, traveling, and living life as intentionally as possible.

— krfors@gmail.com