June 6th, 2025
/ăp′ə-thē/
noun
Apathy is the enemy of human civilization. It's a collection of excuses quietly sitting in the back of our heads telling us to watch the world burn around us, rather than to grab a bucket and fight the fire. It's a symptom of disconnect and isolation from our human nature. I think most, if not all issues we face today could probably be solved if a majority of society's participants took an active role in shaping their surroundings, rather than the minority.
In modern times, when pilgrims come seeking home in a new town, they may end up looked upon as pests. They don't behave like everyone else who was here before them, they stand out. They do things we find weird or annoying, and disrupt our peace. We start to think that they're invading, bringing their ways of life here in an ultimate effort to overwrite our own ways. Disturbing our balance, our comfort. A reasonable person will usually grant a small window of patience to newcomers, but will end up in hostility if integration is not achieved in said window. Their metaphorical case file is then added to the metaphorical pile of documents reinforcing our very real prejudices.
It's apathy. It's watching from the sidelines as someone yet again fails to meet expectations. American culture rigorously trains us to behave like this. We spend all our shits at our jobs, and that's where it ends. We go home and watch TV shows and movies, then discuss them like they're car crashes. We're just glad to have experienced them, what a rush it was to watch the world blow up on a screen. Most of our reality requires nothing from us but to be a viewer, so that's the only mantle we ever take on. Granted, the tank is usually empty after work. We're so bogged down with stress and fatigue that the thought of anything requiring effort sounds like a herculean feat.
The MAGA movement is the natural evolution of this apathetic society. Nothing will ever be asked of a MAGA follower. There will never be a "call-to-action" needed, at least not for the vast majority. All they must do is watch while their leaders and clergy remove everything that brings them discomfort. The follower will never need to change, they will see their problems solved by the act of inaction, by staying the same. That's probably why you never see conservatives out protesting, at least not in large numbers. Of course, whether the follower sees improvement in their society is irrelevant, because ultimately they'll be told that their fears and suspicions were correct without ever having to prove it to anyone. That is the ultimate comfort, a comfort which makes one feel good about staying inside.
What if most people didn't just sit back and watch? What if instead of letting newcomers struggle to exist in a world that's entirely foreign to them, the norm was to get out there and show them the ropes... To actually help them better integrate into the existing society? To show them what most people here do, and in effect ease their differences a little. Reduce the contrast. I don't mean to say that the existing society is inherently perfect, far from it in fact. Neither should everyone just mindlessly conform to it's standards. Rather, those comfortable in the existing society should make a real and genuine effort to bring those outside the society closer into the fold. Bridge the gap between the two, and create the compromise. Make the change beneficial for both of you.
We're losing the art of being neighborly. I don't know how to small talk anymore, because everyone told me small talk is shallow and unimportant. But I see my neighbors do it sometimes, and in that shallow small talk there's strangers finding common ground. They both hate the energy bills, or neither cares for a new construction project. Someone learns that their car is blocking a busy sidewalk, or that the city doesn't pick up dog poop. It doesn't matter to you until you learn who it effects, then suddenly you have a reason to do something a little different. When you know your neighbors, you're probably more considerate. Just a little bit, but enough to make a difference. There's less room for apathy, because something is being asked of you now, even if indirectly. You find yourself in a situation where you can make an immediate impact by simply giving a shit. Out of human connection, human nature takes back control.
I'm generalizing. I know there are full on assholes in the world who will never be reasoned with, but in my experience they're the exception to the rule. A very loud exception, mind you, but only because the rest are so often quiet. Myself included.
Society is always changing, but if you like or dislike certain things about a way of life, then it's your responsibility to convey those things to others. Show them what you do, and explain why you do it. Teach them skills you think are important, that could maybe get them a better job. Don't wait for someone to come to you, just ask them if they want help, because I guarantee nobody else is doing that. Give them a number to text, a place to meet, or a website to visit. They'll probably show you something great in return. Don't force your ideas on them, because human nature is to resist force. They might not like it either way, they may disagree and that's a scary thought, but you have to try. We have to do more than watch people fail. It's uncomfortable to reach out, and discomfort has become a modern day sin. But, if the world changes in a way that you don't like and you've made no effort to show off your way of doing things, then you have no right to be surprised by whatever comes next.
How do we get the energy and courage to start caring again? Probably with baby steps. Probably by turning off the computer, doing something, anything, other than scrolling and liking. Probably by taking the time to think about our opinions on our own, and by thinking about who we should talk to about those opinions.
If we can sabotage the apathy machine, even a little bit, maybe human nature can re-assert itself a little more.
So, yeah. Thanks for reading.