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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be so irritated by people who make no attempt to engage with the world around them

113 replies

GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 19:06

It's probably unreasonable of me to find it quite so irritating, but I can't stand it when people don't know/care who the PM is, who the ruling party is, what's generally going on in the news, or know really really basic geographical facts.

I watched a TV programme once where a reporter went around some members of the public showing pictures of well known figures (think Clegg, Cameron, Miliband) and the amount of them who didn't have a clue was worrying, even when they were told the name.

OP posts:
ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 21:52

Oh and lining their own pockets very nicely indeed.

HoHoHoNoYouDont · 05/04/2013 21:56

I think watching the news on tv can be quite stressful. Newsreaders voices are full of doom, the stories are full of doom, it can really bring your mood down. I prefer to catch up online and choose to read issues I am actually interested in and avoid those I'm not.

HollyBerryBush · 05/04/2013 21:59

I agree with you but there is politics and politics.

If it were all dull we'd sit back very accepting of things that are plainly not right with the world. We'd be compliant and not try to change anything.

One of my pet hates is a moaner, you know the sort 'bloody government this and that' - I always ask if they voted. I don't care who for. But the answer is usually a resounding no. In my world if you don't use your vote you have no right to complain. So some elementary political savvy is useful.

Yes I know it's a right to vote not a compulsory thing like some other countries. But I cant stand apathy.

LeeCoakley · 05/04/2013 22:02

Everything that goes on in my community is of interest to me and especially local education but what goes on in the wider world I probably only pick up from MN convos! Gove's utterings filter down to me but I know nothing of other politicans. My immediate answer for current PM was Blair, I just couldn't bring Cameron's name to mind! I don't watch the news or read national newspapers. I might pick up Time magazine in the Drs, that's about it. Having said that I can identify where every country is in the world and their major towns, rivers, currency etc so I'm not completely 'unengaged'.

PurpleStorm · 05/04/2013 22:03

Politics might be dull at times.

But whether you like it or not, the decisions that politicians make impact every single person living in this country. Bearing that in mind, I can't really understand people choosing to ignore politics completely.

At least even skimming news headlines online might give you a very brief idea if anything big's happening.

Laquitar · 05/04/2013 22:15

Are there people who dont know Cameron?

This explains how he got votes then!

ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 22:18

I don't understand why choosing not to vote should be classed as "apathy".

We all have choices and if someone chooses not to who are you or anyone else to say they have to?

A coaxed bad vote is worse than a non one in my opinion.

HollyBerryBush · 05/04/2013 22:19

You go to vote and spoil your paper.

But sitting on your arse in your front room is apathy

Original poster
GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 22:21

YES, ClippedPhoenix, if someone chooses not to know who the PM is THEY ARE IGNORANT.

Wonderful to know that this makes my backside large somehow

OP posts:
PurpleStorm · 05/04/2013 22:22

It's probably classed as "apathy" because it's very hard to distinguish between people who actively chose not to vote, and people who haven't voted because they're too apathetic to bother.

Original poster
GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 22:25

Also interesting that it's so mean of me to say that some people are ignorant (not even anyone in particular) but it's okay for you to say I have a large hypothetical backside Smile

OP posts:
ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 22:26

Your arse a few posts ago was large, it' become even larger.

I now have to ask after your nostrils, are they flaired?

Original poster
GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 22:30

Oh good god I give up Hmm

OP posts:
ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 22:32

Giving up calling people ignorant is a good start.

mrsjay · 05/04/2013 22:35

Yanbu. I too find it baffling, but some people are just very insular and uninterested in the world around them.

This I think is true for people doesn't make them any less a person they just live in their own world for whatever reason

MintChocAddict · 05/04/2013 22:36

I have a friend who doesn't read newspapers or watch TV news as she finds the (mainly grim) reports and articles so stressful and worrying. She decided that as it was making her so anxious she would just not bother.
She'll probably live until she's about 100.
I on the other hand get so passionate and angry about politics that my blood pressure must be sky high.
Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Original poster
GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 22:37

ClippedPhoenix no, I'm okay with calling a spade a spade thanks Smile as you care so little about politics/what goes on in the world around you I'm not sure why you're on the thread anyway

OP posts:
Original poster
GrowSomeCress · 05/04/2013 22:38

mrsjay I agree, it definitely doesn't make them less of a person. I must admit it still annoys me a bit though and I think it's a shame.

OP posts:
mrsjay · 05/04/2013 22:45

yes and yes growsomecress it seems a shame they are not interested or even know things that are really just general knowledge or news ,

IfNotNowThenWhen · 05/04/2013 22:51

I have a MASSIVE arse. And I know who the Home Secretary is. Could those two things be somehow connected??

MintChocAddict · 05/04/2013 22:52
Grin
ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 22:53

Im on this thread because I disagree with you. Why is it ignorant if people aren't interested in politics and like being in their bubble. Judging them and speaking down about them is the shame.

People thinking theyre superior is quite frankly nasty.

ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 22:54

Oh yes IfNot, very connected indeed.

anonymosity · 05/04/2013 22:56

I am just posting the online definition here, not claiming this word should be aimed at anyone:

ig·no·rant

/ˈignərənt/
Adjective
Lacking knowledge or awareness in general; uneducated or unsophisticated.
Lacking knowledge, information, or awareness about something in particular: "ignorant of astronomy".

ClippedPhoenix · 05/04/2013 23:01

So that's alright then is it? I do believe that the OP was wanting to have a bit of a bash and we all know that, what ever the definition.