I Don't Care

Current events is not a topic I am familiar with. The reason for this is simple, I hate reading/watching the news. The media is filled to the brim with sensationalism and twisted truths. The effort it takes to sort out reality from the exaggerated or made-up is so great that I concluded that I don't care enough to try.

One night I was driving a friend home and I revealed the fact that I don't care about current events. I have so much going on with my life that I don't have time to sit down and read the news; and I'm completely content with that. The response I received was hardly what I expected. She looked at me as if she suddenly discovered a fundamental flaw in my character and could not be friends any longer.

Her argument was that high level actions trickle down to every day life. For example, Obama passes Bill X, which affects the amount of tariffs collected. This raises the price of oil, which raises the price of gas. At the end of the line, I will see this reflected in the bill I pay at the gas station. I should be aware of these high level actions so I can be an informed individual. I should not allow myself to become someone who's life is controlled by an invisible hand.

Really? If I decide that my bill is too high at the gas station and I will drive my car less, am I doing that because Obama passed Bill X? No, I am making that decision based on the price of gas. I am reacting to the situation, not the cause of the situation.

Don't get me wrong, I think there's a time and a place to understand your environment. But the time it takes to fully understand society, the economy and racial/cultural intricacies just so I can decide whether I want whole wheat or white is too great. I prefer spending that time with my friends. You know, the people who really affect my life.