There are tons of people like this, politically checked out. Probably making voting decisions based on one sound bite from one side or the other that they heard like 6 years ago, or if a certain candidate’s photo in the voter guide is flattering or not. I know someone who said recently, and I quote, “I should probably vote this time, one of my friends said it’s a woman running now”. Like, totally clueless. Being terminally political brained isn’t the norm, and I don’t think we should expect it from the average person, either.
And to be clear that isn’t their fault. Blaming the common low information voter for the conditions that make them politically apathetic is fucking stupid, when that is the entire point of how things are under capitalism. Most people are just trying to survive and doing the best they can. I think it’s important to nudge people in the right direction when appropriate and enable people to find answers more easily if they are searching. But most of all it’s important to just support our communities and show people kindness and understanding. Remember, revolutionary conditions aren’t predicated on every single person in the population understanding economic and political theory.
That type of voter is one of the main reasons why Trump won in 2016. They all recognized his name from his TV-show and vaguely remembered having positive feelings at that time, so he must be the right choice.
There are tons of people like this, politically checked out. Probably making voting decisions based on one sound bite from one side or the other that they heard like 6 years ago, or if a certain candidate’s photo in the voter guide is flattering or not. I know someone who said recently, and I quote, “I should probably vote this time, one of my friends said it’s a woman running now”. Like, totally clueless. Being terminally political brained isn’t the norm, and I don’t think we should expect it from the average person, either.
And to be clear that isn’t their fault. Blaming the common low information voter for the conditions that make them politically apathetic is fucking stupid, when that is the entire point of how things are under capitalism. Most people are just trying to survive and doing the best they can. I think it’s important to nudge people in the right direction when appropriate and enable people to find answers more easily if they are searching. But most of all it’s important to just support our communities and show people kindness and understanding. Remember, revolutionary conditions aren’t predicated on every single person in the population understanding economic and political theory.
in college i remember overhearing someone say they voted for people whose names they recognized from political signs
That type of voter is one of the main reasons why Trump won in 2016. They all recognized his name from his TV-show and vaguely remembered having positive feelings at that time, so he must be the right choice.
Once you realize this you start to get the feeling the social media echo-chambers of the left are like the bucket full of crabs.