The illusion of control in politics

[Anomalism]

I think this forum has a lot of decent, passionate people from across the political spectrum. Sometimes though, I feel like many of you carry more than you should. The emotional investment people pour into every issue seems disproportionate to what any individual can actually change. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care, but it does mean we should guard our energy. I have always felt like the amount of energy you pour into a thing should be proportional to your actual influence over it. You don't owe your whole nervous system to the news cycle, and worse, it's a waste to give it that much.

 

[Rocko]

Yeah as a general rule it’s not good to obsess over things that are out of your control.

 

[Anomalism]

Yeah as a general rule it’s not good to obsess over things that are out of your control.

I think it can mess your head up too, the futility of it all, when you invest that much into something you can't change.

 

[Votto]

Yeah as a general rule it’s not good to obsess over things that are out of your control.

You mean like global weather?

 

[BluesLegend]

You mean like global weather?

But but but muh climate change

 

[MarathonMike]

Yeah as a general rule it’s not good to obsess over things that are out of your control.

You mean things like your preferred political party losing an election?

 

[JGalt]

I think this forum has a lot of decent, passionate people from across the political spectrum. Sometimes though, I feel like many of you carry more than you should. The emotional investment people pour into every issue seems disproportionate to what any individual can actually change. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care, but it does mean we should guard our energy. I have always felt like the amount of energy you pour into a thing should be proportional to your actual influence over it. You don't owe your whole nervous system to the news cycle, and worse, it's a waste to give it that much.

True. There are some very fine people on both sides.

 

[talksalot]

I think this forum has a lot of decent, passionate people from across the political spectrum. Sometimes though, I feel like many of you carry more than you should. The emotional investment people pour into every issue seems disproportionate to what any individual can actually change. That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care, but it does mean we should guard our energy. I have always felt like the amount of energy you pour into a thing should be proportional to your actual influence over it. You don't owe your whole nervous system to the news cycle, and worse, it's a waste to give it that much.

The most obsessive are venting their hate at a President they despise. They're like kids.

 

[Anomalism]

True. There are some very fine people on both sides.

I think most people are decent people.

 

[initforme]

True. There are some very fine people on both sides.

Wrong