Constant outrage is unhealthy

Published 2025-02-02

tag(s): #random-thoughts

I don't think I want to make politics or social issues or anything like that the focus of my blog. Or a recurring theme. I don't even think I want this to have a focus.

But as I have stated in previous posts, having a site can be a way to vent out, so why not have the occasional post that touches on some current event or general feeling about the state of...things.
I also recognize some of what I outline below is my fault because I keep using reddit, when I should know better. It's been a while since that site had insightful conversations in any of the major subreddits.
Anyway, here we go...

Constant outrage is exhausting

The Trump term has barely started I am already over the attitude people have about it.

Yes, I am disappointed too. From the fact that "the price of eggs" was such a major a deciding factor, to the way Democrats handled their campaign, to the cheering at hateful rhetoric etc etc etc.
But that is in the past now. This is what we are stuck with for the next 4 years, and having extremely dramatic reactions to every single news piece that comes out of the government is just unsustainable.

On top of being unhealthy, it doesn't allow for rational discourse about the consequences of each decision. And it also makes it much harder to tell apart the really bad things from the I don't agree with this, but no surprise here. You know, the things you would expect a conservative, Republican administration to do.

The danger: apathy

I know someone reading this might argue "I get what you say, but if we don't stop X, then they'll do Y and Z and then change the Constitution to destroy the country. We can't let anything slide!".
And I think that is valid danger. Citizens have to remain vigilant. Apathy in the past (and even the last election?) is what led us to the current predicament.

But I also have to point out, that being constantly mad about everything also runs the risk of generating apathy, but by exhaustion.
My point is, and it is a bit obvious but still true, that you have to aim for a middle ground. Stay vigilant but also pick your battles. Can't fight every single decision.

Groundhog day post I guess

I realized it is Groundhog Day. That makes the closing section even more fitting.

I feel like I have seen all this before, when I lived in Argentina. The government would make truly backwards decisions, or make the most outrageous declarations, and tons of people would be constantly mad about it.
And then when the time to vote came, the same party would win. In part because after 4 long years of the BS, there was a sort of resignation about the state of affairs. This wasn't close to being the only factor, but still.

Honestly, I see so many parallels between the way Republicans and Kirchneristas handle themselves, despite being ideological opposites. Er, allegedly. Anyway, I see so many parallels, that I have a bit of a fear that this will be the state of things in the USA for a longish time...


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