Politics is a major stressor for me

[mdmc]

Hey all..

I just wanted to put this out there cause I bet ya'll might feel the same.

I love politics, policy, history.. But recently I have noticed that the news is a very big stressor for me.

I've given up on MSM - I watch Colbert and TDS, but I avoid the news shows at all costs.

I've tried hard to give up DU. I get stressed when Obama or Biden diss the left. Or any of the evil things that are posted in GD.. All of it stresses me out..

So I've taken a huge step back from politics - and I feel better for it..

Just throwin it out there.. Now I play more disc golf and surf the internet looking for disc golf courses and watching videos at the boondocks web page www.boondocksbootleg.com ..

What does politics do for you?

[Tobin S.]

1. Politics doesn't do a whole lot for me

I avoid the political forums for a couple of reasons. One of them being the contentious nature of politics and I hate to argue. Another reason is that I don't see the point in arguing about politics with people who are voting for the same people that I am.

When I joined this site it was March of 2003. I was pretty much a non-political person at that point, but I was opposed to the coming war in Iraq and I found a lot of like-minded people here that I could find solace in. I think my first 500 posts were in GD. I might post there sometimes now, but for the most part I just can't get into it.

[mdmc]

2. I search page 20 of GD to find old OP about cool things

then I kick them back to page 1..

That is about all I can do..

[HereSince1628]

3. I like being aware of current events,

and trolling for news helps distract me. Politics has become something like the division between Cubs and Sox fans. The pros are both playing baseball, and understand it is about making millions. Everyone else, including the fanatics, are screaming and thinking it is about 'the game' which somehow they think is a matter within their control.

[DaveJ]

4. Politics pretty much alienates me

I was already super alienated before and I'm socially comatose now. I'm the only person I know who would rather go to a political rally than watch sports, for instance. Granted, almost every techie, like myself, has no interest in sports either, which is why tech seems to be the only mode of communication that works for me. I can't make friends in the political realm because I will acknowledge a good point someone makes regardless of what side it's from, though, which pisses off members of both sides.

When it comes to news, I would just point out that news, as it is defined in the professional world, does not consist of normal observations. They do not report the trains are running on time. I wish I had a more scientific approach toward the news. Then I'd be able to know how to react to all the disturbing things happening. I think maybe news needs to be redefined as an academic tool and not pushed on normal people the way it is. Nobody is taught how to 'react' to news.