Passion Isn't Enough

[ll74]

A good podcast (overall, but specifically this episode) regarding political involvement versus hobbyism. (I can't figure out how to link directly to the episode without going to a specific podcast app, and trying to keep it general - there are links to multiple podcast apps included)

https://hiddenbrain.org/

September 27: Passion Isn’t Enough — Many Americans feel an obligation to keep up with political news. But maybe we should be focusing our energies elsewhere. Political scientist Eitan Hersh says there’s been a rise in “political hobbyism” in the United States. We treat politics like entertainment, following the latest updates like we follow our favorite sports teams. Instead, he says, we should think of politics as a way to acquire power and persuade our neighbors to back the issues we support.

 

[JohnnySavage]

From my perspective...

I've never heard a podcast and hobbyism is a term for a frequent visitor to the escort hotel.

I didn't read the blurb because I don't know of apps and such.

 

[ll74]

The anecdote that made me laugh is how Democratic college students would not go the extra mile for their party, but would do so for a candidate or political operative that had celebrity status.

 

[ll74]

From my perspective...

I've never heard a podcast and hobbyism is a term for a frequent visitor to the escort hotel.

I didn't read the blurb because I don't know of apps and such.

Fair enough. I listen to multiple podcasts daily (during walks mainly). I find it takes my brain off of any stress/anxiety. Hidden Brain did one regarding self/purpose in August which I really enjoyed as well.

As for hobbyism, it's mainly having an interest in politics as a "sport" rather than to get involved in policy decisions.

 

[JohnnySavage]

The sooner the two parties die a natural death, the better. "Independents" are now a plurality among registered voters. But for party-enacted laws protecting their turf, we'd have a lot more elected independents.

 

[ll74]

The sooner the two parties die a natural death, the better. "Independents" are now a plurality among registered voters. But for party-enacted laws protecting their turf, we'd have a lot more elected independents.

I read a study somewhere that enumerates why America gravitates to a two party system.

This is an interesting article on the subject you bring up as well

Maybe they’d eventually become socialized into the party system. But even so, this then raises a second problem — that we’d likely just produce more strong partisan voters. After all, the more politically engaged people become, the more they become strong partisans. This makes sense, since if you’re going to become involved in politics, you must think it matters who’s in charge. Once you pick a team, you tend to start engaging in motivated reasoning about politics, disregarding information that undermines your side. So a more engaged electorate becomes a more strongly partisan electorate. And since hyperpartisanship is an obvious danger to our political system, more public participation doesn’t solve that problem.

 

[JohnnySavage]

I'm encouraged by the younger people that seem to care more about issues than party. That could be my rose-colored glasses though.

 

[jomar]

…

I listen to multiple podcasts daily (during walks mainly).

...

If you don’t already, check out Malcom Gladwell Revisionist History, he’s got a lot of really interesting stuff. And the Joe Rogan Experience can be good, I especially enjoyed his interview with the Area 51 employee and particularly the one with a neuroscientist on sleep…woah.

 

[ll74]

I'm encouraged by the younger people that seem to care more about issues than party. That could be my rose-colored glasses though.

I like parliamentary democracies. Or at least the thought of it. The Democratic party mirrors that concept a bit right now....multiple factions working to agree on a compromise. Republicans seem to be in a state of "support Trump or lose"

 

[RobDownSouth]

A good podcast (overall, but specifically this episode) regarding political involvement versus hobbyism. (I can't figure out how to link directly to the episode without going to a specific podcast app, and trying to keep it general - there are links to multiple podcast apps included)

https://hiddenbrain.org/

Interesting read. "Political Hobbyism" is a perfect encapsulation of those here *coughVettemancoughBoBoCough* who view politics as some sort of game.

 

[ll74]

Interesting read. "Political Hobbyism" is a perfect encapsulation of those here *coughVettemancoughBoBoCough* who view politics as some sort of game.

I admit to being a part of it, but mostly out of frustration. It's difficult to have an argument or discourse when the realm of baseline facts is so far removed.

If I'm arguing policy regarding a pandemic and they're arguing whether there's a pandemic, it will always devolve into perspective differences rather than policy differences.

Add to it the consistent grievance porn woven into most every topic. People deflect to off-topic items all the time and derail any possible conversation.

 

[pecksniff]

The sooner the two parties die a natural death, the better. "Independents" are now a plurality among registered voters. But for party-enacted laws protecting their turf, we'd have a lot more elected independents.

Experience has proven you can't have a republic without parties. Those independents won't matter until they form new ones.

 

[pecksniff]

I read a study somewhere that enumerates why America gravitates to a two party system.

Because of the single-member-district system for electing legislatures. Discussed in more depth here.

 

[pecksniff]

I like parliamentary democracies. Or at least the thought of it. The Democratic party mirrors that concept a bit right now....multiple factions working to agree on a compromise. Republicans seem to be in a state of "support Trump or lose"

What distinguishes a parliamentary system is not multifactionalism, but the election of the executive by the legislature instead of directly by the public.

 

[ll74]

What distinguishes a parliamentary system is not multifactionalism, but the election of the executive by the legislature instead of directly by the public.

Well, certainly the aspect I'm celebrating there is that there is more parties working in concert rather than two.

 

[pecksniff]

Well, certainly the aspect I'm celebrating there is that there is more parties working in concert rather than two.

That's because of proportional representation. Which is also adaptable to a presidential separation-of-powers system like ours -- in fact suits ours better, because it is not necessary to put together a legislative coalition of several non-majority parties to "form a government." That's why Italy seems to have a new PM every six months.

 

[pecksniff]

Of course, this is Literotica -- from our perspective, passion is always enough.