Why do people waste their life in this way?

[Whythatdoor]

I know of a family friend, in his early 70s. He has some health challenges but he’s mobile and still has all his faculties. He’s not at deaths door, I appreciate, but likewise he’s not in the first flush of youth.

He spends nearly all his time watching rolling news, getting massively worked up about things, and firing off emails. His latest moan is bias at the BBC. He’s sent them lots of emails and shares FB posts several times a day. He’s obsessed with small boats, and is generally right wing.

He hasn’t got much time left on Earth, why waste it hating on everyone and everything? Why not just live his life,‘experience what he can with an open mind and an open heart while he’s still fit enough to do so?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying people shouldn’t care about these things, or be interested in the news, or write to organisations if they feel strongly. But his life is consumed by it, negativity, bile, anger. I feel like I want to shake him.

AIBU?

@Owly11 I picked up on the point about him raging at a number of different targets. The lacks focus, he sprays it around, not spending time to form an argument.
Writing letters to The Times might have more effect than ranting on FaceBook.

It is you who does not seem to be open minded LOL

This sounds a bit like forced labour to me!

Talking of unreasoned rants on Social Media. @notedbiscuits
"Daily Mail readers caused Brexit. Those who read the paper should lose their voting rights"

In fact I actually admire him showing this much dedication to his grandchildren’s future despite posters like op mocking him and he could choose the easy way out and spend his time sunning himself in Spain like some other older people do only thinking of themselves

@Namechangefordaughterevasion Love your username! I am another daughter evader, very careful not to express some of my views around my adult DC. I made the mistake of discussing my gender critical outlook with them.

It did not end well!

Would you be so concerned if he was campaigning for things you agreed with?

I don’t understand the problem. It seems pretty admirable to me that he is still so interested in current affairs and politics. What do you think he should be interested in instead?

OP, what business is it of yours?

Why is he doing this? Because he's in his seventies, and unlike you can remember the UK as a different time and place, and he's very upset at how much has changed, and not in a good way. Railing against it could be seen as a much healthier reaction than resignation.

And if we all think like this nothing changes. But public opinion pile-ons eventually change some things. This was how the anti-slavery campaign worked in Britain in the 18th century. The tactics they used are the same as we use now - albeit they had no social media, of course. They ended the Triangular Trade by forcing one of the great powers of the day to ban the slave ships from the west coast of Africa and use its huge navy to stop ships crossing (freeing something like 150,000 slaves by the 1860s). The same hard work has been done by Sex Matters, FWS etc to stop gender ideology in its tracks - and they are succeeding against all hope. OP's relative is doing sterling work. Let him do it if that's what he wants.

Why does anyone do anything? Why are you posting about him? He is entitled to have different political views to you, he isn't happy about the current state of affairs and is sharing stuff on social media, so what? He probably enjoys reading the news, it isn't a crime, it passes the time.

Not all older people want to go and volunteer in their retirement "packing boxes" or other nonsense suggested here, some people just aren't into that, that's fine too. Different strokes for different folks.

Leave the man be.

YY, me too.

Because it makes him feel connected, relevant, and powerful.

And it's actually a lot easier, both mentally and physically, than being positive, which takes a lot more effort, particularly if he's consuming a lot of news content, and in the bleak autumn and winter months.

I think they call it social prescribing.
Obviously he would have to agree to do it, but presumably he would want to tell everyone his opinions if he could, so might well like the idea.

I just knew this would be an ageist rant about someone who has right-wing political views. Here’s the thing OP. People are allowed to have different political views to you.

I expect he’s saddened at the state of the country, and like a lot of older people, is worried about what life will be like for his children and grandchildren. I know I am. I lie in bed at night worrying about it. I would absolutely love to be one of these people who aren’t worried.

Votes of working age people should count double.

Missing the point of MN methinks

Alternatively he is part of the reason Tim Davie has had to resign. If everyone sat around being kind while one of the most powerful organisations in the UK continued to lie and mislead us then perhaps Tim Davie would still be in post continuing to spread misinformation. This person may not be one of the Nick Davies of the world, but in his own way he cares enough to get angry and have a voice. Apathy and kindness creates a void in which predators can occupy.

I dont think its about the views more the negativity. I know plenty of older people who have very different views but spend tgeir time looking after GC or going away.. or volunteering.... much nicer to soend time with even if we dont always agree

I dont think its about the views more the negativity. I know plenty of older people who have very different views but spend tgeir time looking after GC or going away.. or volunteering.... much nicer to soend time with even if we dont always agree

I knew a teacher, Mr Hurrell who spent his retirement as a bitter old man writing to his local newspaper on a daily basis, moaning about petty things.

And?

Lots of people on MN of all ages moaning about petty things on a daily basis. How is that different / better?

Exactly, owly10, the BBC is biased, he's right.
They have driven women mad with their bias over men in women's sports and the single sex exemptions, including cheering on an Algerian man battering women in the boxing Olympics, calling objectors racist.

The frustration in the country over BBC bias isn't limited to your neighbour.

Agree with this...what has it got to do with you OP how he spends his time he may well say the same about you.

You are trying to have a dig at him with "faux" concern as his views aren't necessarily your views...it is his business what he does and by the way that is not old !

He is of an age he knows how life used to be and how sorry a state the UK is in now so good on him.

Why not live and let live.? Maybe leave him alone to get on with his life.