What will it take to get people to be less apathetic?

Question

There's so much political apathy I see around me at college and with other people; students don't have the knowledge to comprehend basic current events or international problems. I ran a UN club and had to explain to high school students why Israel mattered to some people, etc. What would motivate people to end this trend?

Answer 1

Oh my gosh, I've been wrestling with this for years. I used to be a full-time politcal activist, now I'm completely inactive. Even though I teach Social Studies. How lame.

I just got to the point where I was hopeless about trying to motivate people to do something. Even demonstration was like 50 people! After 10 years of it I gave up.

I do believe that there will be mass political activism again in the U.S. I think it comes in waves. The question is what conditions make it likely or possible that there will be a mass political movement? In the '50s I think part of the reason was that the nation was very prosperous economically and as a result people's expectations were higher; they felt like if you fought for something you could actually win it. Today it seems like the opposite situation.

Also, in the '50s it was soon after WWII which was supposedly fought in large part against discrimination. Black soldiers came back and were motivated, confident, and angry to make a change.

I think today the domestic problems aren't as stark and in your face as segregation was, and also people feel very pessimistic about the possibility of making a change. I don't know what will have to happen to change this! I think it's definitely out of our control. It will happen eventually, and hopefully before you get as frustated as me!

Answer 2

Only a global disaster will awaken most of these fools.

Answer 3

Believe it or not, there is plenty of people who still care. My best suggestion is find those people and forget about those who don't. You be surprised how empowering it is to find other people who feel the same way, talk about a plan how to change things and actually do it. The hard part is actually selling the ideas you may have to others.

If you want to discuss plans how to change things, feel free to email me through my profile. I love to talk politics and it is a great way to pass the time.

Answer 4

I don't know & I don't care

Answer 5

Genuine leaders. People who somehow manage to lower the level of corruption in politics and big business.....

In other words....never gonna happen.....sorry!

But if it could..... (dare to dream) it would give people something to believe in again. People don't care because they really can't properly effect change in this country.

Answer 6

apathy is across all our activities,not just politically,however,it is politically motivated,by governments and their agencies----ironically,people(all of us)are to blame,because who do you think pushes the agendas??brainwashed people working for the very same agencies,our mums,dads,brothers,sisters etc...-------as to how to change or stop the apathy,it starts within the family unit,if not thwere then nowhere

Answer 7

It's true.  People don't get as involved as they should.  I probably don't know as much as I should.  I don't watch the news, read the paper, or keep up to date with current events and national & global politics as much as I should.  I think it's important to do so, but people these days make such a big deal about what is happening in Hollywood that other things that are actually important get lost.  Also, people are so "anti war" or "anti bush" that it's become a trend and people aren't even making their own opinions based on their own thoughts.  No matter what "side" people take on any issue, I think it should be informed based on facts from several sources.  

What will it take to get people motivated?  I don't know.  Lead by example?  Encourage school programs to include more current event projects?  Start conversations with people about important topics, and hopefully they'll spread the knowledge and interest to others?

Answer 8

well...

i think we should...

ohhh...

who cares?

The fact is only grass roots efforts on local levels will change things globally.

Answer 9

I've never really cared all that much about apathy.  I probably should, but I find it hard to get all worked up about it.

Answer 10

I'm apathetic as well. I've learned that your vote doesnt count at all. The GOP simply rigs the election. I will never vote in another presidential election again until there are better canidates or until the Electoral College is abolished