Why are people generally politically apathetic? (2 Viewers)

[TacoTerrorist]

People in our society, particularly young people (I know this could be a generalisation) seem to be very apathetic and uncaring towards anything to do with politics and political issues. I thought the reasons behind this would be a good topic for intelligent discussion.

My view is that factors like the media's determination for profits at the cost of essentially dumbing down the public are the culprit. The discussion of political theory is very much a taboo subject, and few people actually know what is going on.

This needs to change. The general public must become politically aware so that we may strive for a better society. It is my belief that the capitalist system and therefore the government would prefer it if people continue to have wool over their eyes.

Thoughts?

 

[ilikebeeef]

Some people aren't stuffed to continually check up what's going on in politics, read the paper etc. They're too busy or not interested.

 

[TacoTerrorist]

^ True, but why?

 

[ChockoRepublic]

^ True, but why?

cause they're too busy.

 

[banco55]

The majority of people in western countries generally only pay close attention/get involved in politics if things go seriously off the rails. Life in Australia is pretty good for the vast majority of people so it makes sense that they are not overly interested in politics.

 

[aussie-boy]

Good thread topic... I find politics very interesting (issues rather than theory though) but bringing it up in conversation is not the done thing

Its especially concerning when you consider how much certain policies affect some people (e.g. YA changes that so many students seem ignorant of)

But when you think about it, any serious mainstream topic is kind of off limits - people wanna talk about sport/pop culture/interesting alternative stuff or other people lol

 

[Serius]

This is a strange phenomenon...in times gone past, it was the youth who were always the most vocal and active politically.

I dont know why things have changed, maybe people have given up? maybe they just dont care any more as long as things are going on swimmingly?

I think its kind of frowned upon these days to discuss politically charged topics because of the conflict it can cause. Its a real shame that i have to get my debating and political fix from strangers on the net...although i did have a fantastic discussion about gun laws in Australia tonight and i used a lot of material from the thread in here

 

[ilikebeeef]

^ True, but why?

Because nowadays young people are more into other things, like gaming and trolling around on the Internet. Politics would be the least of their worries, unless as banco55 said, things go wrong e.g. we go to war. Then I bet you a lot of people will start paying attention.

I remember more people paid attention to politics when the "War on Terrorism" started. Now that everyone knows it's futile and doesn't really affect them much in terms of physical safety, they get over it.

maybe they just dont care any more as long as things are going on swimmingly?

Yeah I guess.

I think its kind of frowned upon these days to discuss politically charged topics because of the conflict it can cause. Its a real shame that i have to get my debating and political fix from strangers on the net...although i did have a fantastic discussion about gun laws in Australia tonight and i used a lot of material from the thread in here

Yeah well, here, we love conflict. xD

 

[postnatal]

the public has no right to be politically active and aware, it is up to our great leaders to tell us what to do without question or inquiry.

 

[FutureSight01]

This needs to change. The general public must become politically aware so that we may strive for a better society. It is my belief that the capitalist system and therefore the government would prefer it if people continue to have wool over their eyes.

Thoughts?

Oh gosh I walked downstairs to find the morning show on with mum sitting in front of it. MY GOSH WHO CARES about what Lady Gaga was wearing????? For goodness sake! *mentally throttles thin air Edit: really does throttle thin air* And the question can be asked: Is this on because people want this????? I find it a little bit of a stretch to say that humans have been made to conform to this behaviour. I mean humans are royally screwed up fundamentally (cite the morning show, ellen degenerate lol) but yeah it seems like people don't really care unless something is really wrong. It is so boring talking to people! People who just work, study, have family and friends but no opinions on politics, science, religion! GAHHHHHH!!

Maybe I should just claim my EU citizenship and move to europe for a postgrad degree, maybe in england where things are more interesting. Then again, you have the pacifist extremists (eg switzerland)... ugh

end rant lol

 

[zombie omie jay]

ahahahah what


i dont think youths of today are any more apathetic than previous generations

there are a LOT of fucking moronic gen x, baby boomers etc

if anything i think gen y is more involved, internet and shit

 

[mirakon]

Capitalism means that you can own your own stuff and do what you want with your own stuff

Nothing less nothing more.

Dumbfuck communists hate property

Well some people are certainly not politically apathetic.

 

[ilikebeeef]

why do they hate this shit? cant they afford it? lol poor cunts

Chances are, rich people are the capitalists, and the poor the communists. Everybody wants munny.

 

[thongetsu]

The apathetic generation is usually Gen Y. They're apathetic because they're too busy on 'spacebook' and 'myface' and taking pictures of themselves from 360 different angles and talking about WHAT'S HOT AND WHAT'S NOT.

But when they hit the age of 22ish/become independent they will start to care because they're suddenly paying taxes and rent.

 

[zombie omie jay]

what

 

[x jiim]

At the moment, since I don't pay taxes or drive much or vote or visit hospitals etc, most of the stuff goes way over my head. I try and keep up with the stuff that affects me, but I don't really have the time or motivation to pay attention to the rest.

I'll probably get more into it when my friends get to voting age, because right now no-one I know talks about politics much =\

 

[itszen]

I think generation Y would become more involved in politics when they mature in future. Right now these tax increases and interest rates affects them at all because thats all 'parent business' for the time being.

 

[TacoTerrorist]

^ I'm not talking specifically about Australian 'democracy', I'm talking about political theory, i.e Socialism, Communism, Anarchism, Capitalism etc - the big picture. It has been true of the past that younger people become less and less concerned with politics at that level as they grow older. I think this is because of the way people sort of resign to capitalism and give up hope. They are battered down by the system.

 

[postnatal]

have you never heard of the wankery that is The Socialist Alternative?

 

[TacoTerrorist]

have you never heard of the wankery that is The Socialist Alternative?

I'm a member.

Capitalism is freedom you stupid fuck

Yeah, the freedom to sell your labour for less than its value, while the super rich exploit the world and get rich and fat off the toil and hardship of everybody else.

Capitalism is slavery and exploitation you stupid fuck.