Stopped reading after the author suggested stop informing yourself of politics, in order to scroll down to the presentation of the author.
This man is the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a neocoservative, right wing think tank . AEI's stated mission is "to defend the principles and improve the institutions of American freedom and democratic capitalism—limited government, private enterprise, individual liberty and responsibility, vigilant and effective defense and foreign policies, political accountability, and open debate"
No Wonder he's trying to unplug voters. Cat videos are No 1 on the internet and the US has very low voter turn out compared to other western democracies. Political apathy has all but killed US democracy and this author wants you to tune out. This is not humour, it is not friendly relationship coaching, it is yet another attempt at voter suppression by right wing ideologues...
In the NYT.
Are the editors asleep at the wheel???!!!!
19
Trouble is, with a lying traitorous Putin puppet in the White House, I don't feel I can take a break. It's like taking your eye off a three-year-old playing in the front yard. Look away for a second and s/he will be in the street.
16
No hidden agenda here. *wink wink*
12
So the conservative American Enterprise Institute would like readers of the New York Times to stop talking politics for the next few months?
Sure they would!
18
So nice that we can make light of a President in thrall to a KGB man and who is acting as fascist. Its just the usual moral equivalency. Just good people not getting along and taking things too seriously. Hah hah hah.
11
The house feels unusually warm, something smells faintly like smoke and your advice is to just turn up the AC and chill.
Thanks for the free advice but my mom didn't raise a fool.
19
"A bunch of powerful people who want to keep you wound up for their own profit" Most of that "bunch" are people who work in print and broadcast media such as people who work for the New York Times! But that's okay when I have had too much, I just tune out as Mr. Brooks advises!
Bach cantatas are the best. Try 191 or its older sibling the b minor mass. But don't go to the St Matthew Passion, if you want something to take you away from politics. Or heck, just dive into Count Basie--I recommend the classic collection "16 Men Swinging"!
2
Just after reading about the benefits of taking a politics cleanse, I read this article buried on page 6 of the Business section of the Times : “Trump’s Supporters, Stoked by Hostile Rhetoric at Rallies, Lash Out at Reporters.” My shock meter registered off the charts once again as I won’t be numb or unaware to what is happening at the malevolent hands of Trump and his loyal lemmings in my beloved country in 2018. I’ll do a cleanse of another sort, perhaps chocolate or rose wine, but I not going to sleep as our nation lurches into darkness. Some of us need to be here to write and recall the history of these times.
19
Too much of what we talk about in politics stems from our private beliefs, and all beliefs lead to destruction. The flying of the planes into the World Trade Centers was the most classic example of what beliefs do to the human thought process, and how beliefs can cause a mind programmed for survival to act toward its own destruction. People tend to think that their own particular beliefs are "good," and that the beliefs of others may be "bad." The truth is that all beliefs lead to destruction, because they trick the mind programmed for survival about just what is supposed to survive. In the near future, we will program the survival program into a computer, which will give us proof of what beliefs do to the human mind. Until then, unfortunately, we will continue to suffer and die from our ridiculous beliefs.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
2
Is listening to Bach cantatas the modern equivalent of fiddling while Rome burns?
21
When Trump is no longer in office and the Republican Congress has been voted away, not only will I take some political time off, I very well may decide never to involve with politics again.
But right now, there are simply too many dishonest cultural and political bashing's taking place to run and hide.
Maybe later, Arthur, maybe later.
20
Hi, my name is Helen and I'm a news addict. I planned to stop watching, talking, and thinking about it for 30 days. I couldn't make it past 7 days. Just as I was falling back into denial about my addiction you wrote this article. Damn you man! Instead of going cold turkey this time, I think I'll ween myself off slowly with late night TV show monologues. That way when I fall back into talking about the news at least I can repeat jokes rather than fearful commentary.
QAnon agrees with AC Brooks. All the lefties should just take a break from supporting the Deep State and spewing liberal elite lies about Trump.
3
Another thoughtful piece by A. Brooks.
Maybe we need the new Twitter feed instead. Just a few buzz words to let us know what's going on, example: CNN: Russian Probe, CBS: Russian Probe; NBC: Russian Probe; ABC: Russian Probe, NPR: Water Quality of Sub-Saharan Africa, New York Times: Russian Probe...Fox News: The Socialist takeover of America; There you go. It took only a few seconds to get a clear upate of U.S. politics. Now that did save time and you can now get back to pretending you really give a darn about hot yoga when it's 100°F outside!
1
I'll take a political cleanse on Nov. *7th*.
16
Arthur Brooks tells us that we “have forgotten to disagree well”. We disagree with Brooks; we will try to do it well. Many of us who are alarmed by Republican and Trump administration policies and actions recognize the urgency of reversing them. Separation of asylum seeking families, voter suppression and tax cuts for the wealthy are rapidly undermining our national values, the foundations of our democracy and the well being of our citizens. Of most urgent concern is the retreat from reducing carbon emissions and protection of the environment; we are losing scarce time, precious time to avoid existential calamity for our children and grandchildren. So, we choose not to avert our attention from the failures of our political leaders and institutions. Disagreeing well means engaging in discussion of facts. We cannot talk with our heads in the sand.
Robert and Nancy Simpson
12
Walk
Bike
Clean your basement.
Mow your lawn.
Have lunch with friend.
Visit your patents.
Limit tv to 29 minutes of news per day.
Life goes on.
Vote.
36
I'd love not to think excessively about politics. And global warming.
And all those assault rifles in the hands of loonies. And the aims of Brooks and the American Enterprise Institute. But then I'd be a zombie.
12
Sounds a bit like “Let then eat cake!”
8
The truth is that politics is a puppet show and should never be taken literally. Occasionally I can't help letting loose an angry outburst about the lies of the parties and I don't think anyone wants to hear it but I feel good for telling it like it is.
It is not that people are born stupid but they are taught to be. They are brainwashed by the media. If people could see the truth they would never put up with how things are.
1
This blather reminds me of the famous Wizard of Oz quote, "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." Where is Toto when you need him?
7
But if we do a cleanse how will we seee the most recent updates from such apologists for Mr Trump as Brooke is? As for a cleanse I pretty much vomit when I read people who put money and party over country
4
Perhaps A.C. Brooks is attempting satire? Perhaps snark or sarcasm? Or maybe Brooks thinks those who oppose the Trump-Party of Greed agenda are as uninformed or ignorant or even stupid as the GOP/Trump base seems to be.
Who are the easily led? Anyone who would take the anti-democratic advice of this leader of one of Americas most infamous right wingnut institutes.
Follow his advice at your peril and at the peril of your country. Pay attention, listen, read, talk, think, vote. Brooks knows who will put a stop the insanity in Washington DC. And he wants us to fall asleep now more than ever--and stay that way until at least after the mid-terms.
In fact, he and his ilk would prefer we disengage completely while the tornado "weather" of Trump et.al. passes unnoticed and unremarked.
We can do something better than disengage, and Brooks knows it. See the sweat on his upper lip, smell the fear?
In other words: stay dumb and numb so the GOP can finish the work of their dear leader.
9
I suggest to the author to study the history of the Weimar Republic.
6
There were probably many citizens in Nazi Germany in the 1930's who found the political machinations of their time exhausting and decided to "take a break".
Authoritarian govt's count on citizens checking out to push their agendas forward.
Please don't conflate "paying attention" with being consumed by outrage.
This is the time to be paying attention ... not to check out for a few weeks. Midterms are right around the corner. Be alert America.
8
I say most sincerely that I have wished for a LONG LONG TIME, even before the current horror story, that I could detach myself more from thinking and talking about politics. Indeed, little would give me more pleasure. The problem is that politics affect my life too much, plain and simple. As a gay man who will simply NEVER accept the view that my rights are less than someone else's and that I shouldn't be granted the dignity of legal recognition of my marriage (and by extension tell me that my FEELINGS mean less or are less real than theirs are) I need to know who my enemies are and keep an eye on what they try to do. I lived far too many years as a second-class American and I never will again. Still, the idea that the rights that I've won after so many years of fighting as a collective group of LGBT Americans CAN be taken away and I'm well aware of that. This issue might be the most important to me but of course there are other laws being proposed that are an abomination. So while nothing much is going to happen to stop the march towards the apocalypse, so much is at stake that can deeply affect my life that I just don't have the willpower to tune out but by heaven I wish I did.
10
This column should be closely inspected for signs of being written in the Kremlin and passed through Arthur C. Brooks to lull the attention of a nation under attack from domestic as well as foreign foes.
Yes, it's stressful day after day and hour by hour absorbing the slings and arrows of outrageous conspiracy. But it's no time to look away.
8
The building is on fire; desperate efforts to contain the blaze are exhausting; let’s get a beer and kick back.
Nope.
11
No, Mr. Brooks--taking a "break" from politics right now is a very bad idea. We're coming up on what will likely be the most important election in many people's lives. In fact, my suggestion would be to get even more involved in politics--volunteer on a campaign for a candidate or cause that is important to you. Knock on some doors, march in some parades, register some voters, and/or donate to candidates. Actually doing something to meaningfully participate in our democracy is the only thing that will make you feel any better about our current situation.
12
I would modify this advice to: disengage from *mindless* political activity. If all you ever do on Facebook is forward ideas that *other* people have formulated-- if all you share in comment sections are quip-y, snarky personal insults-- if your contributions to online postings are mainly "thumbs up" or "frown-y face"-- I'd suggest there's another way. Sit and write YOUR OWN ideas about how things should be instead of relying on memes or forwarded think pieces. Stop the personal attacks and argue ideas logically instead of emotionally. Dare to read lengthy examinations of complex problems that have no easy solutions. Study history, philosophy and the humanities. And finally, turn off your screen and physically show up for a politician you support or an issue you believe in.
5
'Politics cleanse' is treating the symptom. What we need is a 'politicians cleanse'. The (R) kind in particular. Then it won't be necessary to discuss politics all the time.
8
It was easy. I went on a camping trip to Wisconsin. Hung around with old airplanes and their owners. Even though I was around a lot of people of the other "color," no one bothered with politics. It was heaven.
1
On the contrary, this glorious summer, I find it socially expedient to work politics into everything I say. At the fruit stand: "The sweet corn is delicious this year, as tasty as voting out John Faso (our local Republican congressman)." At the racetrack: "That horse looks like a good bet, just like Antonio Delgado in the 19th district." Watching kids run around at a barbecue: "[Your own anti-detention-camp quip here.]"
1
it seems to me that at least 50% of the public hasn't been paying attention for years.
2
Perhaps a person who agrees with Trump's policies finds remaining silent an okay way to go. Those -- the majority -- who oppose Trump's policies do not have the luxury of silence, too many troubling things are being forced down our throats. If we remain silent we are complicit. "No one takes advantage of you with our your consent." I wonder whether Mr. Brooks even has friends outside his conservative bubble.
6
It is entitled and privileged to say it is OK to tune out for a few weeks. This is not about talking heads, or the usual back and forth of amped-up outrage over typical politics. This is not meaningless.
You would have had those children, separated from their parents and being abused and neglected in those cages, wait for a few weeks before the public would get around to reading about them and pushing for them to be reunited? How many unarmed and innocent black men will be shot and the police not punished during those weeks of us looking away? How many bills affecting women's rights, voting rights, civil rights, will be passed while we are blissfully sunning ourselves in ignorance? How many decades will our children have to suffer from Kavanaugh on the Supreme Court because we didn't think it worth keeping pressure to fight for a fair court?
And finally, with a monumentally-important and game-changing election coming, you suggest we should toss away one of the three remaining months we have to work to save this country because...why? So those of us who benefit from the tax policies, and who won't be randomly deported or shot, can use our privilege not to help those who need it, not to save the country we love from destruction, not to help our children have better lives, but to better enjoy our vacation and not have to stress our poor little brains with all that bad information.
I hope Trump's supporters take your advice for the next three months. We will not.
7
I find solace in Motown...
Part of the problem, though, is how this administration commands the attention of the media. I wake up to NPR, and the lead story is usually about something the president tweeted or said or did or didn't do...
I guess I should start waking up to The Four Tops.
1
Uh, no. No, I don't think I will. I can avoid discussing Trump with people who: support him or feel as I do (want him legitimately out of the White House) and are tired of discussing it. I won't stop reading or watching. Lest I forget.
7
Twitter and newspaper comment sections give us an outlet for anger but little true accomplishment. I don’t think my senators or congressmen are listening to me when I send them a tweet or even an email. When I call I get a staffer who gives me a standard unpolitical answer. Generally the local level is the only place we can make real change and hope local politicians move up the chain. As for getting invited to parties, I don’t talk politics in my red neck area. It is impossible. I can’t check out of politics, though, because I teach social studies. All I can do is try to not get too mad. I did kill my Twitter.
5
Since the 2016 campaign I've obsessed over politics daily, often feeling overwhelmed about what's going on , but yet feeling powerless. So, I've decided to go on a political cleanse starting today because the news has simply become too much to bear. I hope many of you join me.
Good morning, everyone, this is your captain speaking. Our ship has struck a small iceberg and is taking on a little water. Our extremely capable crew is rectifying the situation. Breakfast will be served in the aft dining room, as the other is slightly tilted at this time, which could cause the orange juice to spill. Shuffleboard has been cancelled. Please avoid the lower decks for your safety and comfort. Should you feel the ship roll slightly, please be advised that this is normal procedure and move quickly to the opposite side. I will keep you informed. Have a nice day.
7
Mr. Brooks, I agree -- people supporting Trump's actions and policies should take a break in order to recover their senses and intellect. Unfortunately, the current situation is so dire that the rest of us are required to carefully follow politics. Far from being "addicts" we are citizens concerned with the manic pace of policy changes and abhorrent actions of this administration. Quick public action is required to counter and turn back the worst offenses, such as the separation of children from families at the border. We cannot rest and must protest.
8
What a great idea -- We could all use a breather!
I'm going to spend time setting up a grassroots campaign for Fiona, the World's Most Lovable Hippo. She resides in the battleground state of Ohio, sharing a habitat with her single mom at the Cincinnati Zoo.
Regardless of how insightful and/or pithy I feel my political views on facebook to be, the photos and videos of Fiona receive considerably more likes, laugh emojis and shares. Whereas I've been the recipient of death threats for my politics (I wrote for HuffPo for a number years), no one has had anything negative to say about Fiona on my page. Trump doesn't even have an evil nickname for her! His camp will never see her coming.
How refreshing it will be to back a being who is actually popular with the American people.
#FionaForPresident!
Mr. Brooks, the president of the conservative AEI Washington think tank suggests we quit following current events...now?...huh!! That's odd....
12
Five hundred years ago my ancestors fled the Spanish Inquisition and one hundred years ago my grandfather threw all his children out of Europe leaving behind their comfortable middle-class existence for the perils of New York and Montreal. Yesterday I watched Jefferson Beauregard Sessions step up to the podium and and maybe it was the fact that I was wearing my reading glasses the flag in the background looked to be the Stars and Bars but the anthem in my head was Dixie.
My God doesn't believe in miracles and shuns their production but too many things are beyond my understanding. I first subscribed to the National Review fifty two years ago and even then my father used to get physically ill when Ronald Wilson Reagan's face would appear on television.
Most of my family bleeds red,white and blue and my wife is as loyal and brave an American as exists on this Earth. I know my American and Canadian history and know the history of what the media calls "conservatism. I know about Buckley Oil and Mexico's nationalization of its oil industry and William F. Buckley Sr's desire to declare war on Mexico and the move to Venezuela. I know about the Buckley children burning crosses in front of a Jewish resort and Buckley's support of Francisco Franco. I know of Reagan's betrayal of his Guild members and his country's most sacred beliefs.
I am 70 and not frightened for myself but there is no way for my American grandchildren to leave this planet. I must speak my heart and soul.
12
Dear me. Avoid politics - we should be having a national conversation - not a rant, not an argument... an exchange of ideas based on facts. How dreadful that "Americans" prefer to avoid a subject that so impacts all our lives. This op-ed leaves me more depressed than talking politics.
7
whenever I go on vacation i also do a media blackout. It is amazing how much more enjoyable my vacation seems... and guess what? The insanity in the world continues without my astonishment and amazement, the behaviour of folks continues to be the same whether I know and comment or not. It is healthy to go on a media fast.
2
No way will I let my brain go soft in this critical time in our nation’s history. In fact, I have been wondering how I can sharpen it, how I can improve my rational and logical thinking with the onslaught of political messages that we will all be receiving.
8
eliza: "... how I can sharpen it, how I can improve my rational and logical thinking ..."
You can do that at your library. There are numerous books on logic, rhetoric, and critical thinking. Here are a few examples:
* "How to win every argument : the use and abuse of logic" by Madsen Pirie.
* "Words like loaded pistols : rhetoric from Aristotle to Obama" by Sam Leith.
* "Critical thinking skills for dummies" by Martin Cohen.
1
Will all due respect, I’ll take a mental vacation after the Nov. election. We had Scott Pruitt as head of the EPA. If you value our planet, a clean earth, and our fight against global warming, his presence alone precluded all vacations. The USS 1% is heading through the ice field and Brooks wants us to chat with other passengers on the sun deck. While the fat cats are snoring and hugging their wallets, with federal deficits growing, I’ll be on the flying bridge scanning the horizon. Safe harbor comes in November, unless the conservatives have successfully mined the harbor with voter purges, restrictions, and gerrymanders. If Trump and Trumpublicans win again, all bets are off. America’s moral spine will be gone....the expediency of money, corporate power, and religious ideology will rule the day. To live in the land of Bigger Oil, Bigger Ag, Bigger Pharma, Bigger Healthcare, Bigger Chemical, Bigger Wall Street, etc etc etc is a bigger problem for environmentalists and people lower down on the economic ladder.
8
Politics is NOT understanding issues. It is just a career and very few of us work in it. I read several newspapers daily, can argue both sides of most issues and still scrupulously scrub politics, I.e., the business of selecting leaders, from my life. Just because I have a duty to enter the muck and make an informed vote (in TX we seem to have elections every 2 months), I have no responsibility to let that muck intrude in my daily life. Does the guy that cleans up road kill, a very important public health function, bring it home? I doubt it. For all the uproar about Facebook, it does provide simple tools to quickly get politics off your news page without offending friends and missing anything important. I was clueless on the Russian actions since I had never seen any of the messages NYT and others cited. More people should exercise those options. Most people not working in politics that focus on it seem to use political discussions to fill gaps in their life and find connections they cannot get elsewhere. That seems very sad.
1
"... politics, I.e., the business of selecting leaders ..."
That's a very narrow definition of "politics". At a minimum, it should say something about governance:
"politics: 1: The activities associated with the governance of a country or area, especially the debate between parties having power." (Oxford)
Here is an even broader definition:
"politics: 5 a : the total complex of relations between people living in society" (Merriam-Webster)
1
That might be a sign we have fallen into the abyss: someone thinks politics encompasses all our social relationships. Put a fork in us. We are truly done.
Yes, worth serious consideration.But this is MY country and I do care how things are moving along so I can adjust so keeping tabs in a very minor way is not bad and certainly not worth discussion at this point. I will definitely VOTE. A couple of week of a good cantata might be nice; I do often put on music of that type to relax and release.
Thanks for the message.
Definitely we need to think of new IDEAS on many topics and involve others in this thinking, that is what has made our Country Great for the long run.
DJM
This is some of the best reading I've had in a while. Partisans I've encountered my entire life all seem to harbor addictive personalities which they dismiss as OK, so long as they are not addicted to something illegal.
At its core, partisanship is no different than any other addiction. It makes people easy to control and manipulate. As with smoking and other addictions, it also tends to promote bad breath.
2
@LH I'm partisan to ideas, not a party. It just so happens the ideas I support are embraced by a particular party.
Sorry, won't do it. It is exactly what is happening every day in politics that reveals what this administration's underlying ideas and assumptions are, and they aren't pretty. Some ideas, like those manifest in Trump's tweets, can, and should, be disagreed with bitterly, for the sake of civilization, if nothing else.
8
I don't like zealots of any stripe, and would be happy to see our political rhetorical intensity dialed back --- so long as it occurs on both sides. Unfortunately, we all know this is not going to happen on the Right so long as Trump finds it profitable to inflame the baser emotions of his followers. Thus, Brooks' call for an hiatus from political discourse should be seen for what it is: another example of the man behind the curtain - in this case preaching the equivalent of unilateral disarmament.
8
A tip for you. You’ll miss nothing by giving up TV news permanently. It serves up stress disguised as “immediate” information. Newspapers give you space to reflect. Subscribe to several. Worth it.
13
Ah there Mr. Brooks: Interesting imagery for your title. You know what happens during a "cleanse," don't you?
It's all over the place. Hard to keep from stepping in it.
5
I refuse to stop reading the President’s tweets for colonic reasons.
3
I snoozed my facebook feed of Americans Against Trump and a number of similar outlets. Ahhhhhhhhh......feels soooooo good.
2
Seriously? Let’s all keep our heads in the sand? And, New York Times, he’s dissing your product!
8
This is a sophisticated version of #walk away for NYT readers. From reading the comments, I believe it was unsuccessful. Back to your think tank drawing board Mr. Brooks.
5
TAKING A BREAK IS NOT AN OPTION !!!! ....for the homeless, starving, impoverished, marginalized, addicted, those without health care, many of the elderly, those fleeing poverty, violence, persecution in another country, those in the #METOO movement, prisoners, minorities, LGBTQ and many more. You are so out of touch!!
10
Maybe the problem isn’t that we talk about politics. Maybe it is HOW we talk about politics.
For instance, it is not helpful to yell at people or call them names. No one has ever changed their mind because someone called them an idiot. :)
5
"No one has ever changed their mind because someone called them an idiot."
The objective of a debate is to persuade *other* people, not your opponent.
Name-calling may or may not be effective. Does calling Politician X an "idiot" persuade anyone that X is an "idiot" or, more generally, that X's views are wrong?
For the record, name-calling is an example of the "ad hominem fallacy".
Nothing to see here. No reason to be upset. No reason to vote.
‘I don’t care. Do you?’
13
Off to France for a few weeks. Rest, cleansing? Oh no: everybody's going to ask me how bad it really is and expect me to provide them with the latest political vomit.
6
There's no neat line between talking about politics and talking about ideas. Politics is about ideas. For example, say we're talking about why Trump tweets that Sessions should stop the Mueller investigation, and even orders him to do so via Twitter. When Trump is under investigation for obstructing justice, why would he obstruct justice publicly? Because he wants his followers to agree that he's above the law, so he flagrantly acts like a dictator who is above the law. This discussion is based on an IDEA, a very important idea: that there should be rule of law, and those laws should apply to everybody, even the President.
5
Ou contraire, Mr. Brooks. I love it when my friends and I connect through our opinions on politics. It makes me feel like I'm not alone in my disgust and dismay at the antics of the man whose name will not be said. I feel tethered to reality when my friends and I dish together. Lots of, "I know, right?", and my world is sane again. I can confirm that the entire country has not drunk the kool aid, because I have friends who verify that for me.
11
Brooks: "When you find yourself thinking about politics, distract yourself with something else."
OK, the Times has a fashion section -- there won't be any politics there, right?
You won't find Trump mentioned even once in this article, but emojis are very political. In this case, one bathing suit emoji is not enough:
"The Unicode Consortium — that is, the emoji overlords ... — are in the process of deciding whether to allow a very simple pink maillot, or one-piece bathing suit, to join the itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot bikini in the emoji lexicon."
Florie Hutchinson said: "But not every woman or girl wants to wear one [a bikini], and they should have the ability to make another choice [of emoji]".
Hutchinson "is also the woman who, a year ago, began the process of convincing the Consortium to add a flat shoe emoji to the red stiletto that already existed."
The Fight for the One-Piece Swimsuit Emoji
By Vanessa Friedman
July 31, 2018
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/31/style/the-swimsuit-emoji.html
1
This is the message now being sold by the RIGHT - "Everything is under control, nothing to see here" - go back to sleep.
It is one thing to advise social etiquette, another to advise not watching what the crooks are up to.
The people in government work for us, the GOP doesn't like to discuss it much but, it's true. Any sane employer watches even their best employee - and we don't have any "best employees".
The fascists want you to nap while they finish the details
10
“If I can’t distract you from the president’s possible (probable?) treason, I’ll just get you to ignore it for a few weeks.” Sure.
6
Mr. Brooks,
Wouldn't it have been nice if the American Enterprise Institute - your think tank - which is supported and paid for by the elite political and economic class responsible for the current nightmare we are living through - offered a "take a break from it all" bromide during the Obama years? Instead of its virulent opposition to universal health care, organized labor, and social programs designed to help the needy, your authors and academics said,"let's just take a hiatus and accept the status quo."
It's really a shame you never published a column like this during the Obama years. We never heard from you during all those years when, according to Fox News, our society was on the verge of liberal collapse. But I guess AEI wasn't as complacent when the shoe was on the other foot. Honestly, Mr. Brooks, try looking in the mirror for a change of pace.
15
Already done. I cancelled my NYT subscription and it runs out in 3 weeks. After that - no more politics. Honestly I can't stand the first word of the front page of every single day being "Trump".
2
Then you let Trump and the right wing win. Have you enjoyed all the consequences of "winning" Trump repeatedly boasts of?
1
Bach cantatas? You must be smart.
I was thinking more along the lines of AC/DC. The Dirty Deeds of Cohen, Done Dirt Cheap. How about my economic situation in Downpayment Blues? Gimme a Bullet to Bite On while a Whole Lotta Rosie is paid hush money for her part in an affair in Sin City with the Problem Child that is Trump.
Bach simply doesn't have the emotional range necessary for these times.
28
@LBJr
I suggested in my own comment, which no one seemed to like, that I prefer the cello suites, which I think are for everybody!
Bach brings out the best in our spirits. But, now is not the time to be mesmerized or comforted by that. We need to focus on the abomination at hand.
What a terrific and well-thought out article. The only problem for me is that some people, thankfully, do more than talk about politics. I count among my friends and colleagues many people and groups what are making honest efforts to change the political status quo.
Knowing members of the school board, having a friend run for state representative, hiring a hopeful report from an immigration activist who had a 90 minute sit down with the state chef of police about the limits of state troopers vis a vis ICE, these are people who are ding a lot more than bloating about the latest outrage.
Quoting Joan Baez: "Action is the antidote to despair."
14
I can vouch for the Bach cantatas.
Could you, please, tell this advice to the media? We may all be better if the political feed on all media were tempered, lowered in volume, and quantity. The world feels like watching a surreal futuristic movie. But, we are in the movie, one of the extras, subjected to the mindless torture inflicted on everyone.
OK, can we at least have an intermission?
31
@Cemal Ekin
Bravo! The media, intentionally or not, fuel the political
Flames. Please, continue to report the news. Please do not not put it on an endless loop unless you own stock in blood pressure meds?
2
Cemal Ekin--I'd like to see media stop covering most of his tweets, and maybe just send some kind of automatic recording system to his rallies. Don't show up at the White House. He doesn't like to be ignored. Maybe his head will explode.
2
Excellent advice which I will try to implement immediately. I have noticed my social media posts have been political lately, touting the excellent selection of Judge Kavanaugh for the Supreme Court and much needed tax reform that we are getting with President Trump. I have been getting annoyed with those on my feed who have nothing but disdain for our President. Facebook is for sharing pictures and joy with friends. I will refrain from politics and I hope others will take the author's excellent advice. Despite histrionics from both sides, the sky isn't falling and it won't even if Trump is re-elected.
13
@Iconoclast Texan
You obviously are not invited to parties and mingle with breathing people when you consider your media posts and Facebook as companionship.
1
Hm, because he’s ever so nice to those who disagree with him. Good luck with the thing...
3
@Iconoclast Texan
Arthur Brooks tells us that we “have forgotten to disagree well”. We disagree with Brooks and our Texan friend; we will try to do it well. Many of us who are alarmed by Republican and Trump administration policies and actions recognize the urgency of reversing them. Separation of asylum seeking families, voter suppression and tax cuts for the wealthy are rapidly undermining our national values, the foundations of our democracy and the well being of our citizens. Of most urgent concern is the retreat from reducing carbon emissions and protection of the environment; we are losing scarce time, precious time to avoid existential calamity for our children and grandchildren. So, we choose not to avert our attention from the failures of our political leaders and institutions. Disagreeing well means engaging in discussion of facts. We cannot talk with our heads in the sand.
7
The president of the the enterprise institute, so long cleaved to the GOP, in this article recommending that no-one pay attention took to what's going on in politics. I wonder if he's blind to himself first or last -
The GOP are what you get when self-righteousness is your MO.
5
Maybe people could do the cleanse AFTER November.
6
The president of a hard right-wing conservative political lobbying group advises the readership of a left-leaning newspaper to stop thinking and talking about politics so much.
There can't possibly be any kind of ulterior motive involved here.
22
Brooks should make a distinction between not discussing politics with others and not informing yourself of what's happening in the political arena. He doesn't.
I don't talk about politics with friends or family unless THEY bring it up. I make that choice because I don't see any useful purpose in arguing with anyone about politics. I also do it because friends with whom I usually agree, have withdrawn from the unpleasantness and I must respect their wishes.
BUT, I follow politics closely and I consider it dangerous to withdraw from the reality of what is happening. Uninformed voters are dangerous voters, as was demonstrated in 2016 when ignorant people installed an ignorant president.
19
I dearly wish that I would someday click on the NYTs I have a subscription to and not have Trump on the left hand column.
3
Dear New York Times.
Please report Mr. Brooks to the various agencies for attempting to influence an American election using not so subtle propaganda.
That said - here is a very simplified analysis of this piece of propaganda the way I learned to do it the Army when I was a PSYOP guy:
SCAME Analysis:
Source: American Enterprise Institute. White Propaganda (not white race but rather a term for propaganda with a source clearly stated and truthful). The source has a known bias for conservative ideology.
Content:
Theme 1: "Don't worry everything is fine - no need to go out and vote or stay motivated."
Theme 2: "Those who question the actions of the President are hysterical and poisonous and should be disregarded and avoided."
(Target) Audience: Weary Americans on the surface but the real intended target is potential Democratic voters with a goal of demotivating them to decrease Democratic turn out. Former Trumpers.
Media: Print (online and newspaper).
Effect: Lol - maybe someone will fall for this garbage but most people see right through you guy. We are going to vote you all out of office this November and then impeach Trump. Sorry - I digress - I should say that the intended effect it to dissuade Democratic voters from voting and to keep disillusioned Trump voters from listening to reason. The actual effect will be to motivate true patriots that much more to ensure that Republicans are dislodged from government en masse by voting them into unemployment.
13
Nice.
Another smug Republican telling us that politics is a dirty business and we should just amuse ourselves while corporate money settles everything in their favor.
That’s how we got into this mess, Mr. Brooks. Why don’t you give us all a nice treat by taking a break from patronizing us?
19
@Joseph F. Panzica
Party on without me, dude!
I'll take a vacation from politics when Trump swears off Twitter. Fair is fair.
18
You think talking about ideas will get you invited to parties? Ha! Politics is the small talk.
2
This isn't self-serving at all.
5
After watching the Trump team get rolled by, of all people, the North Koreans, then face-stomped by the smirking Putin, all the while conducting a child-abduction operation at the border and holding a fire-sale of the shared national heritage, you have to wonder about what The Other Mr. Brooks thinks "politics" consists of.
7
Thank you, Arthur Brooks. I'm beginning a staycation now and I'll follow your advice!
1
"I listen to Bach cantatas, but that’s not for everybody."
As Rome burned Nero played the fiddle. As Paris starved, Marie Antoinette ate cake. And as America is being shredded, Arthur Brooks listens to Bach's cantatas.
Fighting for your rights or health or food or decent wages or not to be torn away from your kid; that's only for the hoi-polloi, not Arthur Brooks. It is too noisy outside, and Arthur Brooks needs to go to his sound proof room and listen to Bach's cantatas.
Superciliousness is dripping from every pore of Arthur Brooks.
14
When my fellow liberals start bemoaning current affairs, I immediately change the subject. Unless they are going to ask me to volunteer for a particular cause, there is nothing to discuss. We all know the news; it is grim. Now if a conservative would like to engage in discussion.....
22
@Bill I can identify, however Trump and Trumpism aren't conservative. See George Will.
Your plutocratic "institute" is directly responsible for many of the grave threats now facing our Democracy. So now you advised us to just chill-out because "nothing will change."
Sorry, Mr. Brooks, many of us are far too busy working. We're working to stop heinous organizations and their horrible ideas. Like yours.
19
Sure, the news can be ignored. How else are people supposed to take advantage of the four minutes that they would have to hide from a nuclear bomb, though?
2
I mute the television whenever Trump appears, watch a lot of old movies and search out essays and magazine articles that I think stand a chance of being funny.
Apart from his lies and the hideous damage he is doing to this country, Trump is the most awful President to listen to that I have had to endure in the past seventy years.
4
So true! I have unfollowed everybody on Facebook who posts any kind of political content. Much happier!
1
Actually not true, Arthur...
For instance - the most fascinating and game-theoretically astute move by a current or former president in the past couple of years was made by Barack Obama just today...
His endorsement of 81 candidates - which include no women veterans or Ocasio-Cortez...
Reverse-engineering his list, he's looking to maximize chances for...
>African-American candidates
> Candidates where his endorsement/campaigning can provide lift - without the candidate or their positions pulling him or his other endorsees into a polarizing muck
> Dems to take back the House
For clarity, I have no issues with any of these - and increasing the percentage of blacks in office who realize that moving to the center of the narrative is to move to the center of power will evolve their representation beyond the caucus whose image is defined as/by angry backbenchers...
Conversely, he's realized he'd be of no marginal use where a candidate has decided - whether true or not - that to get elected, they can't allow any other candidate or party or issue get to the left of them...
And AOC and the veterans will do just fine without him...
Ironically, we may be headed for the entrenched gridlock that’s typified NYS legislative politics for too long – where each party holds one house of the legislature…
Which, yet more ironically, could create a pull for a pragmatic centrist candidate in 2020 who’s versed in getting anything done in the Deep Swamp that is Albany…
Run Andrew, run…
It may not be that we talk about politics as much as how we talk about politics. If we only want to voice our opinion, we probably do turn people off. However, if the discussion is to better understand a thing or help another to understand, talking about politics may not be so bad. You have to be very careful though when trying to get another to understand that you're not simply seeking to shove your opinion down their throat. If you do that, they'll only smell your breath.
See: RevolutionOfReason.com
1
"To hate "politics" is to eschew most forms of achievement in the end. There's nothing wrong with leading the un-political life of the hermit. Just don't be surprised when you fail to win a spot on the Forbes magazine list of 400 wealthiest Americans, merit a footnote in the history books—or have many people attend your funeral."
Tom Peters 1992
"If you don't think politics and power dynamics have informed everything in life since the beginning of history, you're fooling yourself. Or, you're lucky enough to be part of the group calling all the shots, and probably just haven't noticed."
Maki Naro 2016
There is no such thing as a politics cleanse, unless one is a hermit.
6
Finally a Times column that makes total sense. Isn't time to stop obsessing about everything Donald Trump does or doesn't do already? I've stopped watching all these news programs where the coverage is all Trump all the time. Life is too short and Donald Trump just isn't worth it.
Not only doesn't it matter, no one can do anything about it.
1
American Enterprise Institute is a Conservative think tank. By all means, skip a few weeks, maybe right before the midterm elections. Don’t worry, you won’t miss a thing and you’ll be more popular!
6
For anyone going on a European river cruise be forewarned that they are populated by Trump supporters who have no shame dominating meals and ruining appetites talking about politics.
6
@Rae Sounds ideal for them: they're protected from that embarrassing spectacle of having to rub shoulders with the locals and figure out public (gasp!) transportation.
Good advice, in any case.
4
Go for regular runs or walks among any hills you can find. You'll be breathing too hard to think about politics, and your heart and legs—and soul—will thank you for it.
It's rather difficult to have a rational conversation with people who have bought into a cult of personality whose profit is a b-list celebrity and former reality TV star. It's like trying to reason with a religious zealot who believes dinosaur bones were planted by the devil to stop people from believing in God.
2
I take a break on the weekends. No political commentary from the Sunday ‘shows’ and no news unless I hear about something inadvertently. The Sunday talk shows only add to the problem. I remember a time when we got a half hour in the early evening of national news and the fluff in the morning with longing sometimes the constant din from the 24/7 news cycle is overkill. Of course, I hold the 24/7 news cycle mostly responsible for why we have Trump as president, they all gave him free wall to wall coverage when he started running in 2015. They barely paid attention to the other, and in some cases, far better candidates on the Republican side. He is a loathsome President, there are hardly enough adjectives to express my utter contempt for him. Never fell for that con that he was this fabulous business man. He is a deadbeat, racist who only cares about himself.
3
I am a voracious consumer of news & information, but am absolutely sick of politics overwhelming all of it. How can I exclude political coverage from the NYT? Why not a checkbox where I could opt in for what I want, such as world, national, business, science, arts, sports, nature, entertainment, etc.
I recall, while researching German after 1933, reading in a Berlin newspaper similar advice. Whether then or now, you cannot soft sell ugliness.
8
Politistress (n) - Unease or anxiety brought on by the reaction to the operation of a government or the election thereof. (from urban dictionary)
Yes, you can temporarily cure your politistress by taking a break. But if you are one who cares what happens to your country, you will inevitably re-engage and it will return. Then the only solution is get involved, to feel that you are making a difference as best you can.
On a scale of increasing engagement:
Vote.
Vocalize - express your view (but be tolerant of those who don't want to hear)
Support - donate if you can
Activist - get directly involved in a campaign or cause
Serve - run for office.
10
I would go a step further. Get lost in a forest for a day or week.
1
We can expect a lifelong conservative to undermine the need for continued outrage and action against the far-right movement that taken power over the US government. Don't listen to AC Brooks. Stay focused on getting out the vote, donating to progressive candidates, helping the Democrats by participating in phone banks and demonstrations. This is not the time for a "break". This is the time for a decisive display of force by the American public that sees the dangers of Trump and his Republican stooges as they attempt to turn the United States into a corrupt right wing dictatorship. Vote, Get out the Vote, Demonstrate your fury and disgust daily until the nightmare ends!
16
IMHO Trump is fighting daily the democracy and the people should return the fire on the same basis. This is no standard president, it is a wannabe dictator and the November election is crucial to start the eradication of Trump's political henchmen. The GOP is dead and has been replaced by a "fanatical mob" who support this man and his delusional policies; the balance of power shall be "reset" in November! Best
7
My personal escape is studying foreign languages. Reciting Baudelaire as one drifts off to sleep is an excellent way to purge one's mind of worthless thoughts
"Have you felt less popular lately than you once were? Are people avoiding you?...maybe it’s because you can’t stop talking about politics."
I don't have this problem at all. But then again, I'm not the president of a neocon think tank: a think tank that espouses hard-right views at a time when the majority of Americans are fed up with conservative quackery.
Perhaps people don't mind that you talk about politics, but rather the content of your politics.
7
@Jack:
Maybe he's just a blowhard.
A French citizen, my cat Marcel Toulouse-Lautrec voted for Macron, but now expresses doubts over his choice.....as we discuss politics every day, how can I help him come to terms with his disquiet? We live in Poitou-Charente.
2
So interesting that the president of the American Enterprise Institute, a powerful and influential conservative policy thinktank, takes to the Times to advise it's readers to just not pay attention for awhile.
The question readers should be asking, and what Times editors fail to ask when they give this group free rein in the Opinions pages, is what is AEI's particular short-term political agenda that they'd like the educated "elite" to not be paying attention to?
4
Another idea along this path is to watch Mel Brooks Movies from the 1970’s/ 80,s. Have a “Blazing Saddles” BBQ with friends. A “Young Frankenstein” cocktail night or in California a recreational marijuana “High Anxiety”. These events with friends and family from all sides of the aisle will loosen up the clenched fists. An “All in the Family” marathon is another escape hatch although some may see Archie and 45 are birds of a feather.
I am a Canadian with deep American roots and a belief there is only one American political party the Democrats and one cult that flies the Stars and Bars and does everything in its power to destroy America. Everybody wants to talk politics with me liberal conservatives and independents. They are desperate to hear my historical and literary understanding. They want to know why I supported Trump and still do even as I think him a boorish charlatan. They want to understand why I say the GOP wishes to make the USA the next Russian style oligarchy and theocracy.
If they come for a visit they want to know why a Jew finds tranquility in the music of Hildegarde Von Bingen and why I prefer Mozart to Bach.
Every day your cult pulls your country further apart I think America ended when Reagan tore the solar panels off the White House but I loved the USA before the cult of lower taxes and less government destroyed a country dedicated to balance and evolution.
Even as I believe your country has passed the point of no return every year on my holiest day I read the Book of Jonah and know the point of no return is beyond my comprehension and I must try to help correct the direction.
Maybe Mr. Brooks can afford to not talk about politics but I and my peers cannot. I am in healthcare and we talk about our patients and ourselves: how will we get quality healthcare? how can our patients afford healthy food? who will keep deranged people with guns from attacking innocent people? I would love to talk about ideas but when one group, Republicans, fails to offer any solutions while blocking any new or innovative answers, we do not have a choice except to talk politics, lobby as citizens, donate time/ money, and vote.
95
From a review in the New York times circa 2040 (if we are lucky):
"In his just published book 'While America Slept' the author recounts how pundits like Arthur C. Brooks managed to normalize the presidency of Donald Trump and assured his readers that they could safely ignore the daily outrages committed by the Trump administration. The result was the nightmare from which America is just beginning to emerge."
14
What an utterly irresponsible approach to propose, no matter what side of the Trump fence one may be on.
2
Overwhelmed by current events? Unable to make sense of the deluge of news, opinion and news-opinion? Frustrated that everyone, but everyone, is spinning, spinning, spinning?
I finally found a lucid, clear exposition that presents facts and theories about the facts. It was written by legal scholars.
https://www.lawfareblog.com/seven-theories-case-what-do-we-really-know-a...
1
By all means take a hiatus while the conservatives and the Republican Party display their worst behavior in American history. I'll take my break when Trump is out of office.
4
I can see why the head of a conservative think tank wishes we’d all quit paying attention right about now. Nice try!
8
Please.
If anybody should be tuning out for two weeks; heck, two days (oh yeah, he golfs all weekend- nevermind) it's Trump. He's the one who should self-ban from media and politics.
Perhaps if he did so, we could too.
3
Ahhh! Bach cantatas - such bliss!
Cleanse? I need more of a political N-M-A at this point! If the NY Times isn't shut down for two weeks in August, I'll continue to be fixated on this tragic political, humanitarian and environmental mess seeking glimmers of hope this coming November.
There is climate, weather and tornado-trump - the latter the most destructive of all.
"a bunch of powerful people who want to keep you wound up for their own profit." That sums it up quite nicely.
Any "disagreements about the merits of the idea of a universal basic income" exclusively for millionaires and billionaires?
1
I totally agree that the atmosphere in our White House is toxic with a dictator wannabe at the helm. The withdrawal from day-to-day events is almost impossible. Each and every day Trump does and/or says something absolutely off the charts. It is reported that in 558 days in office he has made false and misleading comments (lies), 4,229 times.
It is a battle for many of us to not feel helpless as we see and hear a percentage of our population still believing in this man, thinking he is doing the country good, and that his hatred of the press, judicial system, intelligence community is somehow right.
We can only work hard to register voters, encourage those who are eligible to vote, and believe that Americans can sift through the toxic waste of the man in the WH.
4
I wish the MSM would take this advice.
Their unceasing obsession with everything Trump is making the mews unwatchable.
Why is it when straight news or opinion about Trump is broadcast it ALWAYS requires first a video of Trump saying the exact same thing in the news story or opinion piece?
How many times do we have to see/hear the "Russia if you're listening..." video or the Muslim ban video or any one of a number of "crooked Hillary" videos?
It almost seems as if the MSM needs Trump's permission, through repetition of tweet or showing of video before they can deliver the news.
Brilliant advice. Thanks!
1
The head of a Republican think-tank financed by the Koch brothers among others telling liberal readers of the NYTimes to tune out of politics. I wonder what he wants us to ignore, the seating of extraordinarily conservative judges or the new tax cut for the 1% that the Time has been reporting on. Nice try Mr GOP.
12
The most useful idea in here is that climate is not the same as weather. Might you be a potential environmentalist, Mr. Brooks? If so, please use your influence with your fellow Republicans.
3
Does anyone wonder why the American Enterprise Institute would be suggesting that we “look away” as we approach the second most important election of our lives? (We failed the first one in November ‘16.)
1
If there wasn't a daily, 24/7 assault on democracy, rule of law, decency, and truth a thoughtful person could take a breather now and then.
Will Russia and their stooge in the White House take time off while we catch our breath ? Will the climate stop changing while we burn more fossil fuels and coal ? Will people stop being sick without health care, just so we can collect our thoughts? Will Fox News show cartoons instead of lying for a couple of weeks?
You go ahead and take some time off, Mr. Brooks. You've already done enough damage.
10
Brooks writes:...politics is a little like a daytime soap opera, where you can skip a couple of weeks without losing track of the plot.
...the outrage-industrial complex in media and politics.. want to keep you wound up for their own profit.
...you’ll see how much time you were wasting ...
So the thousands of children ripped from their migrant mothers' arms and barely kept track of - nothing more than a soap opera.
Trump's exhortations to shut down the investigation into Russian cyberwarfare against the U.S.- spun-up, profit driven outrage.
Worrying about what's being done to the environment, our relations with allies, migrants, refugees, the rule of law, simple human decency - a waste of time.
What's wrong with Mr. Brooks?
4
It really is just like watching a daily soap opera. <sigh> I rely on political humor from Stephen Colbert and Lewis Black, to keep me from tearing out my hair/crying myself to sleep, every night.
2
Take a few weeks off? Why not stop boring or alienating your friends and actually DO SOMETHING to make things better? Yes, I am really sick of people who complain, or defend their stance and do nothing but talk, talk, talk. The answer is not to "take a few weeks off' --the answer is to join with others to campaign, canvass, contribute and create goodness for those most damaged by the current administration. These are the friends you need to spend time with. Your article is jaded with ennui, self-interest and the worst kind of sophistication. Unfortunately, you've provided yet another excuse for those too powerless to do something.
5
Round about a year ago it seemed to me that our President Russia was overwhelmed and that about two weeks later he had lost it.
Its also seems quite apparent we the people have been slip - sliding toward fascism and oligarchy and that we also have in place a Russian Republican Party.
So Arthur Brook's advice piece for us is quite timely, even if a few months late.
2
Already done. Started weaning off nearly everything about a year ago, and where NYTimes is concerned, reading headlines only, not getting into the details. The daily outrage was making me ill. Now listening to thoughtful, idea-driven podcasts mostly, like "Hidden Brain" and "Waking Up." I know the big picture. I don't need to see it splatter-painted every moment. I know what I have to do - defend Democracy. Because it's being murdered.
1
I plan to stop reading the Times because nearly every story is about politics. Their coverage of the election campaign wasn't about policies or ideas, if it had been (and not just quoting press releases) it would have been apparent Trump had no ideas or policies. Instead, the email.
BTW: I have stopped talking to a close friend about unions. Because her father had no union and she had to pay union dues at an internship decades ago she is against anyone having a union. Any attempt to discuss the issue is met with the above objections.
So the solution to the daily bombardment with the rantings and ravings of the deranged POTUS, coupled with the systematic destruction of the social safety net and our country's loss of stature on the global stage is INDIFFERENCE?
Hogwash!
It was voter indifference that got Trump the presidency. It was indifference that allowed the infiltration of Russia's Internet Research Agency to go unchecked. It was indifference that continues to permit the rollback of many important initiatives under the prior administration.
It's too bad that Mr. Brooks is feeling lonely due to the shunning by family and friends these days. He could always befriend Alan Dershowitz so that they could commiserate about feeling so alienated and alone. Come to think of it, not having to view Dershowitz on TV for a couple of weeks would be a major relief!
The last thing the voting public needs is to become indifferent (even for a couple of weeks) as we head into the midterm elections.
Instead of the "politics cleanse" that Mr. Brooks prescribed, we need to maintain the kind of "fire in the belly" that the current political insanity inflames and will lead us to the voting booth in November - to vote Trump's acolytes and supporters out of office en masse!
3
It is fairly rich that Arthur Brooks -- a conservative who, during the Obama era, always had time to argue that Obama was leading us into a socialist dystopia -- should choose this moment to advocate detachment. Before he undertakes his convenient cleanse, I would love to read from him a frank appraisal of what he thinks of Trump and whether Brooks's opinion of the Republican party's honesty/integrity/morality has changed in the past couple of years.
138
Wow. Does no one have a sense of humor any more??? Reading these comments makes me wonder.
Thank you, Mr. Brooks for this, and for the (apparently) hidden message - we can, if we wish, recognize that most of us are reasonable people of good will, regardless of our beliefs; we can disagree civilly; and thereby we can strive to re-establish the possibility of compromise.
5
Bravo and well said.
A break from politics is just what the sanity doctor ordered.
3
It has always been said that if you want to have a great party, family reunion, a quiet get together or a great date, forget any deep or heated conversation around 2 things: religion & politics. Both rely on opinions & who gets to set the rules - like in our original families. Thus, both are guaranteed to increase the heart beat, pulse & blood pressure.
The serious problem for us all these past 2 yrs is that with Trump, the ground rules change every 1/2 hr, according to his momentary mood swings & fabrications, & that keeps us always on guard, in suspense & anxiety. No matter how much we would prefer to shelve politics aside for awhile, when a quixotic performer & faker is in charge of the most powerful nation on earth, the rest of us are left hanging on hooks wondering what's happening next (ie in the next 30 mins)?
12
@Perspective
You made me go to the dictionary~! I would never have called Trump 'quixotic' -- "..extravagantly chivalrous or romantic, visionary.." lead off in my edition -- but aha, in the last sub-definition we come to 'impulsive and often rashly unpredictable.' That's the kindest thing one can say about him. You make a good point, but I have reduced my news consumption and feel healthier for it.
"Then focus more on ideas." Like the idea that any President who would deliberately embark upon terror tactics, ripping children from their parents at the border, to "send a message" to potential refugees in Central America ought never be elected and, failing that, impeached as soon as possible? I'm not sure that passes muster as the order of "idea" Mr. Brooks has in mind. No, he probably draws the boundary of true thought somewhere near that complacent cogitation billionaires must enjoy when their taxes are cut. Let's ignore political and moral catastrophe, and all try to think maybe one day we too could think happy thoughts like that. How thoughtful we would be then.
14
Dear Mr. Brooks, Are you implying that people should not have talked about the separation of children from their refugee parents?And are you implying that Trump would have changed his act (not his mind) on this matter anyway?
13
While taking a break for my own sanity is needed here and there, to otherwise do what Mr. Brooks suggests is not an option. Think of Immanuel Kant's "categorical imperative": "Act only in accordance with that maxim through which you can at the same time will that it become a universal law." If I and everyone else does this "political cleanse," we have a nation of ostriches putting our heads in the sand. That would be a true Trump victory. It is one I will be part of.
4
Of course I meant NOT part of!(How Trumpian of me.)
David and Charles Koch are interested, perhaps even obsessed about politics, and yet it seems to me they do not possess agency. They did not want Donald Trump to be elected, and yet, voila, that very man won the presidency, despite the well known very strong desire that the Koch brothers had that he NOT win the presidency.
Let me repeat my basic point: the Koch brothers do not possess agency, because they did not get what they wanted, Q.E.D.
What's odd to me, is that people here are all presuming that they themselves possess agency, or at least are talking like they do.
What is this presumption of agency based on I wonder? If the Koch brothers and their billions have no agency then what on earth do all the people who do not even have one billion think that they will be able to do as individuals about politics.
Perhaps you can see where I'm going with this. If you have agency, then you can't take a couple weeks off, any more than a mother pushing a baby carriage down a hill could let that carriage roll down the hill all by itself.
But if you don't have agency, then I'd be interested to know, how is an obsession that does not allow taking even two weeks off doing anyone any good?
2
Whatever the author's motives (other commentators here are leery), the actual advice makes sense. It's a trite fact that rarely - if ever - can your political (or religious) opinion change other peoples' minds. And thinking politics all day just makes us (or at least me) anxious. Actions speak louder than words (i.e. vote, help campaign, contribute $ to).
3
Oh, I don't know, Mr. Brooks. This sounds good on paper. You quote John Stuart Mill. How about this one:
The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.
-Thomas Jefferson
Now is not the time for us to take a break from politics. I will do that once Donald Trump is no longer president and we have begun to undo the incredible damage he and the Republican Party have done to this country.
29
Nice try, but right now, as things get exponentially worse by the nanosecond, John Stuart Mill's advice rings truer and wiser for this country.
Matter of fact, the best advice comes from my good friend Anonymous: 'If you snooze, you lose.' You can always sleep/party later once we preserve our democracy.
32
The article makes a great point, but a bizarre conclusion is reached.
The author is absolutely right. Hyper-partisanship is a political tool used to divide us and distract us from the takeover of our country by wealth. Our disappearing democracy and income inequality are proof.
Somehow having us focus on getting invited to parties is really bizarre.
What we need to do as citizens is find common cause and unite to save our democracy. The only corruption either party promises to clean up is the other party's. We need to step back and see the entire system is corrupt. Right now Mueller's investigation is documenting Russian money and people connected to Obama, Bernie Sanders and Trump. Finding true virtue in either party is a fool's errand.
Once we can agree that country and democracy transcend partisanship, the division will be tempered. We need to grow up and stop allowing ourselves to be manipulated by the "outrage industry". We don't need a vacation. We need to open our eyes and see. There will always be issues that cause deep debate and disagreement. Debating them should be free from the manufactured division our citizenry has suffered (but also accepted) so that money can steal our democratic birthright and co-opt the economy that should work for prosperity of all, not just the few.
6
I went to a counselor a few months ago for anxiety. She suggested that I watch Fox News as she did. She said that on that station, the world under Trump did not seem as bad. I did not go back.
Several my brother in law said climate change was not real. I wondered what it would be like to live in a fantasy world like that.
I go door to door for my chosen candidates for Senate and House ( Tester and Williams). They need 15% of Republican vote to win. I listen to people and we chat. This is not a time for me to be ignorant. People need information and facts about how politics could affect their lives.
73
One Brooks (David) urges us to shrink into local cocoons, while the other (Arthur) suggests a total temporary abstinence from politics. These embarrassed non-Trumpian conservatives seem to have adopted the ostrich as their mascot--anything to avoid looking at the catastrophe their party created. If they want a hiatus, they might spend the time contemplating environmental degradation and the Republican role in it. Or a half-dozen other crises that should be prominent in our daily discourse.
84
@Robert Bott. President Nixon established the EPA. President Regan showed how over govt regulation pollutes the political environment . . . Oh Yeh he also showed how to win the cold war against the USSR without firing a shot . . . .President Bush 43 established the principle of accountability in public education, sparking a reasonable conversation that is giving more parents of kids in failing schools a choice of schools . . . he also got us to think very carefully about overly aggressive science by putting the breaks on stem cell research that otherwise was plunging into frackensteinville . . .
He must have read the piece by Epstein in the WSJ.
1
Mmmmm - being Australian , it’s not really my place to advise US citizens how to run their lives, but I would maybe suggest that taking leave of politics right before an election is probably not the best timing.
How about taking a rest over the Christmas / New Year period? We just get drunk on the beach for three weeks, you ‘should’ try it. (Note use of word ‘should’ , this is not an instruction)
84
@Ian Crawshaw Maybe we need the new Twitter feed instead. Just a few buzz words to let us know what's going on, example: CNN: Russian Probe, CBS: Russian Probe; NBC: Russian Probe; ABC: Russian Probe, NPR: Water Quality of Sub-Saharan Africa, New York Times: Russian Probe...Fox News: The Socialist takeover of America; There you go. It took only a few seconds to get a clear upate of U.S. politics. Now that did save time and we can now get back to pretending we really give a darn about hot yoga when it's 100°F outside!
I stopped talking politics and began receiving invitations to meet at the gun club firing range, attend the free lunch at the evangelical church, assemble with non-denominational folk to post anti-abortion signs and was given a MAGA cap. No thanks.
59
Mr. Brooks is so amusing. Now that his party has absolute control and is gutting the Constitution we should all just kick back and take it easy. It's not such a big deal when the president embraces a Russian dictator after running down the millions of people in his own country in the other party. Who cares if families are ripped apart at the borders and the endangered species act destroyed. Who cares if the Department of Justice is nothing but a tool of the ruling party? For Mr. Brooks these are the times he always dreamed of. So if we just accept being crushed under the heel of this system then he will be our friend. What a dear man.
70
A “politics cleanse” sounds suspiciously like some new trend in colonics for those who have taken the meaning of ‘media’ a bit too literally.
4
Sure sounds like the GOP is about to pull a fast one.
25
The months of June and July were free of contributions to the opinion section by Mr. Brooks--a wonderful cleanse, thank you very much. Now he wants the rest of us to take a break from politics, just as we approach the midterms. Sorry, Charlie.
45
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Enterprise_Institute
"The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, known simply as the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), is a Washington, D.C.,[2][3] based conservative think tank"
I'm shocked. SHOCKED I say that the head a conservative think tank might be advising everyone to tune out for the next couple of weeks as Trump continues to unravel publicly and call for Sessions to end the Mueller investigation while Manafort's trial begins.
I can't imagine what incentive he might have to do that.
Shhh. Everyone. Stop paying attention. Just go back into your little corners and your low information worlds. Tune it ALLLLL out. There's really no need to look to closely at what's happening right now.
113
To keep away from politics? What a funny advice. Does the author really mean what he writes?
Never read a stranger advice than this one! So beware!
12
What if politics is personal? I am a person of color. On any given day, strangers yell out "Trump won!", "Go back to where you came from.", "But where are you from from?" My grandma checks up on me every week and warns me to not get in the way of white people. Her words: "They are killing us AGAIN." (She was born during the Great Depression in British India.)
I wish I could detox. I can't. My race card doesn't register white privilege at the American counter. I hope Arthur Brooks consults few people of color before showing his complete lack of awareness of reality for so many of us.
88
I am assuming you mean well but you are not convincing. You have a track record in your NYT pieces of smugness, the suggestion that, whatever happens with Trump--and, earlier, with the obstructionist GOP Congress--you will be just fine. I and many of my friends are thinking of the the dark world our children and grandchildren will have to live in with the growth of fact-negating authoritarianism. So, while I try to seize moments of distraction, I cannot tell my children to lighten up.
34
Take a self-imposed timeout from today’s roiling politics? Are you kidding? And miss the “breaking news” that Trump has been indicted for money laundering, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice and, hopefully, some additional federal charges? Not in your life.
39
Although "politics cleanse" sounds suspiciously Paltrowesque, I'm already through it and will spend now until November helping Andrew Janz defeat Devin Nunes.
42
I might find your prescription easier to swallow if, like you, I wanted huge tax cuts for rich people.
30
Someone wrote "no offense to Mr. Brooks. . . " Why not? This column is offensive. It normalizes not only Trump, who is a criminal and, as David From has just pointed out in The Atlantic, a threat to national security, but all the Republicans who do nothing to stop him. We are in a crisis. Anyone of Mr. Brooks' intellectual who doesn't see that is willfully blind. So yes, it is offensive, and worse. Fake wisdom.
50
Big drama Mr Brooks: why would we humble workers want to miss it.
Where else in the world can you watch a The Madness of King George (Donald) in real time.
It might end like the Battle of Agincourt, where the English won because the French got stuck in the mud
and the English archers,freemen, won the day.
I think the folks at the American Enterprise Institute should buy a few litres of tequila and lighten up.
If you can find me in the middle of the Chicxulub Crater, I'll make you the best Mojitos ever. Fresh limes and mint from my patio.Reality show...eh!
And you can meet the guys at the Chicxulub Puerto
hardware store who have invented a new expression..."don't be a trump."
Until then stay cool...watch more FOX news, the leggy ladies get it right 20% of the time.
saludos
ancient Canadian
12
I've definitely cleansed myself of the daily "hyster-icles" about trump's Twitter feed--but that's not politics; it's the rantings of a malignant narcissist drama queen. But I think I'll keep reading about the real news--the unbridled corruption, cronyism, greed, racism, sexism, etc. playing out in all corners of this administration--thank you very much. I find that I like being aware of what *affects my present and future as a citizen of the United States.* What a gigantic waste of op-ed space this was, when there are so many people out there who actually have something valuable to say.
32
Your piece reminded me that on November 9, 2016, I began a 90 day fast of reading, watching or listening to any news. By the end of that three months, I had a great sense of peace. I let myself get sucked back into the whirlwind news cycle, and at week's end, I feel like I have gorged myself on cotton candy. Thanks for the reminder on how I can once again find peace. I will shoot for 90 days again.
6
@Patrick Baikauskas So, you do intend to go gently into that dark night?
We listen to NPR, watch the local and the world news in the evening, and I skim through headlines when I go to bed like now. Our television is not on at all during the day, and we turn it on for the evening news, but I know many people who have Fox News, and Limbaugh 24/7 being brain washed.
With this administration and what they have done and continue to do to this country of ours, we need to know what is happening, but not to the point of letting politics take over our life. That is where I was, allowing Trump’s behavior to interfere with my health and well being, but I’m doing much better. To allow him and his administration to ruin our lives, is letting him be in power. We cannot do that.
12
Many individuals commenting on this piece assume Mr. Brooks is asking them to tune-out, but that's not the case at all. He's asking people to stop feeding the 24/7 Facebook/cable news/HuffPost beast. I sent my Apple Watch to get repaired and it was welcome not to have it buzz all the time. Yes, I am outraged. Yes, I worry about what will comes to from this administration. However, by not focusing on EVERY detail, I was able to focus more sharply, and discuss things OTHER than the news (like plays, films, works of fiction). I have many friends that are as upset as I am, but they can't give themselves space to enjoy some of the things that make life worth living. It is tiring to be them, and it is tiring to talk to them.
9
Actually, painful as it is, it might be a good idea to keep in touch.
4
I was sentenced to thirty days in Facebook jail (Why? Facebook's algorithms don't recognize the use/mention distinction). It was marvelous! Thirty days without scrolling through constant agonizing and kvetching and screams of outrage and falling skies.
Social media, ultimately, is (are?) all sound and fury, signifying pretty much next to nothing. Life without it is much to be preferred.
And if you miss the cat videos, go directly to YouTube.
1
If you want to take a powder, Mr. Brooks, go for it.
For the rest of us: voter registration, writing cards to voters, reminding our friends and young citizens to vote, volunteering for a candidate (and party) who will hold our historically horrible President accountable -- that's plenty energizing.
I do agree, focus on the good that is happening, and the power that you have with your vote, and work it. Keep abreast of current events, but no need to wallow in the misery of following the Trump administration and its innumerable lies. Moderation in news consumption, as we work for moderation in our political structure as well.
8
Of course Republican Arthur Brooks wants us to stop discussing politics. And if we do talk about it, we should avoid embarrassing specifics, like the behavior of Donald Trump, his "base," and his GOP congressional enablers.
12
Excellent advice all around.
As the article suggests, there are some very good big-think pieces about political ideas to be found on the internet, rather than the junk food the media serves up every three minutes as "breaking news!" Check out Slate, the Atlantic, the American Conservative, the Economist. You will find excellent discussions by brilliant, truly (intellectually) diverse people on the website bloggingheads.tv which, while often intersecting politics, aren't about "politics" per se.
In a state of post 2016 election queasiness I found myself just shutting out "the news" for a couple of months. I found that it is not only refreshing, but it does give one a sense of perspective when you come back to it. I discovered that one of the victims of that election was my once go-to cable news station, CNN, which has become some kind of ridiculous anti-Trump tabloid.
1
Mr. Brooks, thank you and I really like this. But if you and yours are directly affected by the New Cruelty, abstinence is irresponsibility. I gotta keep on rancoring and other political activities until civil rights are restored, even if I bore most of humanity and all of my cat.
5
i've interrupted my daily news consumption by one hour. I'm rediscovering the value of the LP record. Digitally of course....i'm not a total throwback!
Normally this would be true, but not under this aggressively transgressive president, cheered on by the darkest impulses of his rabid supporters. It is very important to pay attention every day, as nauseating as it may be to do so. We could have avoided this current travesty if more people had been paying attention previously.
I was out of the country last August, contentedly tuned out, when the Charlottesville chaos occurred. I was out the country during June of this year, tuned out again, when the cruel separation of small children from their desperate immigrant parents occurred. The soul of this nation is currently expressing its dark side, and the degree to which this remains permanent depends on concerned, well-intentioned citizens paying attention and speaking out, calling their representatives often, making arguments to those who have tuned everything out, and last, but certainly not least, voting in elections big and small. There is great danger in detaching oneself from this corruption and manipulation, and reducing others' concerns down to "Oh, here we go again with the politics--can we just get back to talking about our favorite tv shows?"
9
Sure... give up political talk in the run up to the midterms. Advocating unilateral disarmament for the opposition, Mr. Brooks? A bit of a transparent ploy.
10
Just two weeks ago my wife and I decided to skip the late shows we usually enjoy--Colbert & Myers, because even though they're making jokes about how bad Trump is, it's depressing and maddening to listen to.
It's like being steadily hit with a bat, and we hadn't thought that we could just stop the beatings ourselves.
4
Why would anybody with any level of moderation or desire for compromise-based solutions want to talk politics with know-it-all extremists on either side?
They are all so sure of themselves and, in general, intolerant of the views of others. Their ideas are often based on partial facts and/or misinterpreted data. Or, in some cases, just plain untruths they heard somewhere and are repeating because they so desperately want them to be true.
If everybody is wrong except you and your side, it is simply insufferable to listen to, whether politics or anything else.
3
It's easy for you to say when you are with AEI...you are getting everything you want from this guy. I, on the other hand, am a liberal. I will be donating time and money to elect a Democratic Representative in our district. It won't work for me right now since we have an election coming up in 97 days.
11
I'm listening to the 1812 overture as I write. The news is there to help people draw conclusions, and adjust their lives accordingly. No doubt. I keep pondering the idea of how the truth is rendered by all of this sausage-making. Criminals get caught -- our justice system is that good. And our justice system is compassionate enough to know when there is no criminality. Stay tuned. "Good luck, and good night."
It’s too hard to tune out during the week when everywhere I turn, on TV, the Internet, or my paper subscription to the NYTimes, I am bombarded by sound bites of Trump’s outrageous claims and anger. I make time in the rhythm of my life to turn off on the Sabbath, for me Friday evening and Saturday. It’s a relief and a reminder that my life gains meaning from a mini escape from the workaday world for 26 hours a week. Whether you practice religion or just want to decompress and regain your perspective, you will feel better for not tuning in for a day. Find something else to immerse yourself in and it will help you remember that Trump does not control your life!
1
Politics these days are rarely mentioned in 'polite' households. Whether you are having an exchange with a friend from Africa, an update of the heat wave at Versailles, or an entertaining movie recommendation, there is the tacit understanding and quiet undercurrent that all is not well in the Land of the Free.
True on blue days, there is an occasional slip where a conservative acquaintance might show you a giant red cap on his tablet, and this is the cause of a tepid laugh. He flunked the test of not keeping his opinion to himself.
To the honest, I read what Charles Blow had to say in his latest column, before dashing off to visit your essay. He is holding strong and this is an admirer of his writings.
The Red Queen would perhaps say it best in declaring that she would better understand this political uproar if this president were Rasputin, or a colorful figure. But not this dull man who appears to be tearing the country apart.
We have long moved on. And for those who have experienced the misfortune of losing the good opinion of a friend or family member over politics, then something was not quite right to begin with.
Thank you for giving your readers a breath of fresh air on this first day in August.
You are correct! I vacationed in Canada for a few weeks, and it did wonders for me. Even though they had non-stop press coverage of everything going on in the US, nobody ever brought up politics. Ever. I was very grateful because I had worried that people would be asking questions. It was so relaxing and refreshing!
Finally, I did ask one person why Canadians don't discuss politics with Americans. She said that the Trump supporters get really angry and nasty, so they've learned to keep their mouths shut.
Canada is my go-to place now for R&R.
And, personally, I prefer the cello suites. They're for everybody.
2
Mr. Brooks, please. It is time for everyone concerned about the current political catastrophe to actually do something about it: pick up the phone, or go for a walk, contact your neighbors, invite them for coffee and discuss what is on the ballot. Make sure everyone knows what’s at stake: climate change, healthcare, education, the national debt, and not least, our ability to afford groceries, transportation, heat, A/C, and necessary medications next month, next year, and in the future. Because if these tariffs, tax cuts, and stupidity in Congress continue, we will all be hungry, cold, trapped, and sick.
But, let me suggest that you follow your own advice, and not write another editorial for at least a few weeks. Take a break from politics, for the national good. Consider making it permanent.
11
Nope. I will instead choose to remember that your ideas have lead to the hollowing out of the American middle class, the absurd concentration of wealth in the hands of a new class of robber barons, and a situation of such despair that a professional huckster sits in the Oval Office. On the other hand, the ideas you promote have reinvigorated socialism, so I guess that's something you have going for you.
I understand why you'd like us to stop talking politics; you've achieved most of your goals. But for the rest of us, left behind by your vision of America, being popular is less important than doing good. We're not going to stop fighting.
17
Wrong messenger and also wrong advice at the wrong time.
34
True that it's overwhelming and friends are probably tired of listening, but here's the thing, Mr. Brooks: democracy is at stake, literally. I don't want to enable this disgraceful, undemocratic administration one iota by being silent about it. Trump exhibits tell-tale alarming, authoritarian behavior and is doing his best to derail the Russian investigation and steamroll our intelligence agencies, our justice dept and our free press.
Silence = complicity. The world has been through this before, diligence is in order. Speak up.
26
Pretty sure my party invitations are not getting lost in the mail. Almost certain they never make it to the post. Quite confident I at least resemble a grown-up whose party days are well behind him. So I'll just keep running my mouth about the imminent danger our republic faces from the Knucklehead-in-Chief and his band of reactionary toy soldiers.
4
Arthur Brooks says he "know(s) of no one who has stopped talking to a family member over disagreements about the merits of the idea of a universal basic income".
He must move among some pretty limited and harmonious family circles. I think I would find them rather dull.
4
Funny, I was a guest at a party just last Friday, with 8 other friends. We had a great time talking politics. None are republicans, though.
9
If I were trying to support conservative and Republican causes then I, too, would encourage people to avoid following the news.
15
Trouble is, we don't know if what's going on these days with Trump is a backyard barbecue or a California wildfire. If it's a barbecue, I can put a couple of steaks on the grill, turn on the burners, and walk away. If I come back in 2 weeks, the worst I'll find is charred meat and an empty propane tank. But if I walk away from a wildfire, I might return in a fortnight to find that most of my earthly belongings have been destroyed in my absence.
Trump is counting on sheer fatigue to overwhelm his opponents. And it's clear that Trump holds one huge advantage over the rest of us--HE...DOESN'T...CARE. About anything other than himself. Caring is our kryptonite, and Trump knows it. Caring leads to "Trump Derangement Syndrome," and nothing delights Trump more than watching how this malady saps the energy of his opposition.
But things are coming to a head, and it would be a fatal mistake for lovers of democracy to allow their vigilance to flag. The next three months will decide if the great American experiment will survive or be vanquished.
And yes, I'm not much fun at parties these days.
10
I am torn. I need a break. I feel emotionally damaged since Trump was elected. But I also feel like constant vigilance is required. Every day brings a new abomination and attempt to pillage reason and civil rights. So many people I know have basically given up reading the news and responding because they are overwhelmed by the onslaught of insanity. But where does that leave us? This feels like a war for our democracy. You can't just give up.
16
My hunch is that Mr Books wants to take a break from politics because Trump hijacked his party and the GOP establishment has become almost irrelevant.
8
These days, I tend to clam up and watch — and judge. Social media and the Trump admin have become truth serum for people with toxic political views. They out themselves.
4
Good advice. Beyond being unfriended on Facebook or avoided at the family picnic punch bowl, it's a problem of basic mental health. On two levels, at least. Imbibing too much Trump melodrama in the daily diet can make one cranky or irritable and, at worst, depressed. Even if you can't quit cold turkey, limit your intake to one or two hours a day maximum. The great bulk of the news flow is repetitive and cumulative, a situation that will likely worsen with breathless coverage of the Manafort trial.
Second, and more subtle, Trump's power does not depend on whether you love or hate him. His power lies in simply dominating your attention. If you spend all day ruminating over the disastrous absurdity of it all, you have given Trump effective control of your mind. To reclaim your mind you must push Trump out. Take a walk in the park. Smell the flowers. Or swoon over a Bach cantata.
2
When I go to the beach for my ONE annual week you can bet I will NOT read about politics, look at email even ONCE, nor take my cell phone anywhere. Hmmm, cell phone usage sometimes resembles being in a cell, can't go anywhere without it.
1
I don't talk politics. I vent my political spleen commenting on op-eds like this and then go off to work to meet with the public, cleansed and able to face conversations about kids, dogs, weather, and why compressing works well for a stye without feeling the need to talk about Justices, wedding cakes and if Michael Cohen or Paul Manafort is sleazier.
I (mostly) refrain from posting political things on my Facebook, too, although I did post a series of articles on fact checking and how to tell a if a post is just a lie. I have some family members that was pointed at. Snopes, man, Snopes.
But in truth, I feel that I have to pay attention to what is going on daily. I worried that it was just sort of a way of gawking at a train wreck or rubber necking past a bad crash. But eventually I realized that it is Purgatory, and I am doing my eternal time while on earth. I pay attention to politics because frankly someone should, because those guys are getting away with a lot. And maybe I'll get in past St.Peter's gate just a little sooner.
Take your vacation, sure. I plan to get my reward when I am dead.
5
If the whole country outside of Washington took a break from following politics, they'd tune in after two weeks and find the Republicans had eliminated Medicare and Social Security, reduced to 0 all taxes on the top 1% and corporations, increased to 50% taxes on everyone else, sold all the National Parks to the highest bidder and sent the proceeds to their corporate sponsors, and .....need I go on? Seriously, it is totally our duty as responsible citizens to stay on top of these creeps.
51
Starting in about a month, I am taking a 34 day cruise from Florida to Tahiti which will give me a break from a lot of things. First of all there will be no internet, which means no Facebook or NY Times. Internet is available but it is too overpriced to use. Secondly, no one will be staring at their cell phones, for the same reason. There will also be passengers from several different countries to have conversations with, which will dilute the political talk.
1
I stopped watched all news and I am selective about the articles I read here, because Trumpism has put my anxiety into high gear. I haven’t slept since Inauguration Day and I have turned into a very toxic person. Trumpism is all I would talk about, but since stopping the news six weeks ago, I find my world is brighter and I am no longer toxic. Best thing I have ever done for myself.
4
Have you noticed that even on this stream of comments, people divide the country by Republicans and Democrats. We have so much more in common with one another but we put each other in two camps. Full Stop.
Maybe while we're taking our hiatus from the vitriolic and contemptuous politics, we should reconsider how we choose to perceive one another?
1
No, I don’t feel less popular lately because of my political views. If you have, Mr Brooks, maybe it’s because the GOP’s agenda hurts ordinary people, including little children. Honestly, I don’t know how you or they can sleep at night.
34
No. Now is the time to pay attention, not take a “cleansing break.” We’re not trying for whacky wellness here; we’re trying to be good citizens of a country on the brink.
5
You can't be serious. What's happening in our country now isn't the equivalent of teenagers getting a little too amped up about Twilight a few years ago and which team they were on. This isn't the stuff of The Daily Show, circa 2003. There is an ongoing attack on our democratic institutions and rule of law being spearheaded by a man whose second favorite hobby after golfing is kowtowing to Vladimir Putin.
Limit intake of political opinion writers, talking heads, and Twitter? Of course, perfectly appropriate. Take a holiday from following what's going on in our country as if it's a soap opera that's become too crazy to take seriously? For shame indeed.
8
The amount of privilege demonstrated by this article is astounding. First of all, the constituencies that are negatively affected by the current political nightmare probably don't have the luxury of a regular "August vacation", and second, ignorance doesn't make the problem go away. There are better ways to practice self-care than sticking your head in the sand.
37
If you are sick and tired of seeing, and hearing, all the nonsense out there, you are talking about "politicking", not politics, the art of the possible, the beauty of having open minds discuss the best way to allocate funds, by force limited, in the best way possible within the constraints of space and time; this, by dedicated professionals that chose to be politicians to serve, and to show solidarity, and justice, so to have societal peace. This, real politics, is a beauty to behold, and requiring full participation, and contribution...if we want a true democracy worth it's name. Having set things straight, how could you possible get tired about it, no matter how bad your breath may be?
1
Confrontation of racism from trump and Kelly et al is a moral obligation that brooks no holiday. Those like this author who can dabble in the benefits of white privilege, merely reveal their indifference to the suffering they support. Such holidays are not permitted the victims of racism.
7
How can I agree with anyone who is part of the AEI? Well, because this advice is sound and I will follow it. And Brooks is that Dodo of American political and economic discourse: a conservative who is wise, flexible and smart.
Politics are similar to a bad car wreck, you don't really want to look but you do anyway. And this is currently the worst car wreck ever. Pay close attention. We all must be a witness to this one.
12
I've taken half your advice. I have stopped talking about politics, it doesn't matter to most people, you can't convince a Trump supporter of anything anyway and it just breaks my heart when someone I once loved or respected turns out to have harbored these evil thoughts all along but needed Trump's blessing to express them. Instead of divesting myself of politics I've found consolation in becoming one of those one in six people who have sacrificed familial and friendly contacts. In a way I'm grateful to the Donald for helping to unmask those who have fooled me with their fake smiles and concern for others. I will not, however look away from the most important story in my lifetime. It's not addictive to be informed, it is necessary. My problem is keeping up. The outrages, untruths, and dangers mount by the minute. If you take August off you might miss the "Have you no shame?" moment that changes everything. What's happening in America is a slow motion coup, if you give them a month, they'll take a yard. We can't lose anymore ground. This ain't no party, this ain't no disco, this is history.
11
Anyone calling for political calm - given the current threat to the country - is pretty clearly suspect.
That said, this article is the political message equivalent of a misogynist insisting that a woman who disagrees with him is hysterical and needs to calm down.
It should also come as no surprise that such an overt pander to the cult of Trump comes from a representative of the ultra-far-right American Enterprise Institute.
The funny part is that AEI will eventually turn on Trumpers too (especially after Trump's attacks on their financial backers the Koch brothers). However, for now at least, they are biting their tongues at least until they get their second corrupt Supreme Court pick. They need to make sure they have secured a generation of pro-wage-slavery, anti-environment, Pro-Christian-Taliban judicial backup before they finally turn on Trump.
9
I have been dialing back the obsessing, but not the activism. Voting alone is not enough for me. I have been text banking, phone banking, writing letters to the editor, and going to the occasional demonstration. As long as I do my bit every day, I find it is not necessary to immerse myself in the news. In fact, it just depresses me and makes me less inclined to carry on. It is entirely possible to make a positive contribution without checking the newsfeed all day or lecturing friends and family. There is a big difference between obsessing and doing.
18
For two years, my wife and I – both Democrats -- have passed up a number of invitations to dinner parties hosted by old friends who morphed from traditional conservative Republicans into Trump enthusiasts.
We knew that many of the guests, with whom we also had socialized for years, had contracted Trumparrhea. We have run out of patience with and civility towards these addicts of Fox News.
We have hosted the same people on occasion during the two-year nightmare, sprinkling in some liberal friends, with the admonition that people – right or left -- who wanted to talk politics would need to step outside like leprous smokers.
It is easy for a conservative like Arthur Brooks to recommend taking weeks off from watching or reading anything about politics.
Liberals and independents, on the other hand, must be able to quote chapter and verse about the actual events of the day, because of Donald Trump’s inability or unwillingness to tell the truth on virtually every subject.
54
Hey, saw, plenty of people, millions, in fact, will take care of it for you if you're taking a break. Same goes for Trumpites.
1
I'm curious what the author believes politics is, if not ideas?
What are people "outraged" about, in his words, if not the ideas, policies, and legislation passed and implemented by those in power?
I believe recent protests have been about things such as inhumane immigration deterrence policies and their reflection on the very fabric of American society, the actions of the current administration when it comes to their policies of public retribution against government agencies for completing mandated tasks, the drastic directional change of foreign policy, and the constant push towards environmental deregulation.
These are all constant shifts in the current American administration that have significant effects on the lives of hundreds of millions of people around the world, and some of those changes unfortunately take place with very little warning or, it seems, forethought, by those implementing the changes.
Ignoring what your government is doing while it is representing you is ignoring your civic duty.
Pretending that government is the equivalent of White House Jerry Springer is irresponsible, and does a disservice to those that do serve.
You might want to ignore Donald Trump. We all do. But not everyone has that luxury, because what he says and does actually has real-world consequences that changes lives and can really hurt people.
Americans are the last true defenders of The Great Experiment. If you forget, who will remember?
48
It's like the old radio soap operas James Thurber wrote about. Nothing ever changes over the course of weeks or even months. Just tune in and you'll be brought right up to date without having ever missed anything.
3
I've been on a Politics Cleanse for six months now and I don't miss it at all. At one time I thought I would drive myself crazy not obsessively keeping up with every detail of what is going on, but I've found the opposite is true. I scan headlines and read what I need to know and avoid the constant Trump drama intended to whip everyone up in a frenzy. I know what is going on but avoid the details that affect my mood and health.
9
Please send this to Mr Trump. He can take a few weeks playing golf without tweeting or doing anything that the public can see or hear. That’s the cleansing we all need. Until he does, we can’t.
60
Thank you Mr. Brooks! Very insightful and I can tell you your ideas work, not only for relationships but for ones own sense of well being. I just returned from 4 days of fishing with friends and family with no news or discussion of politics. I have not felt better (calmer and more positive) in nearly two years. Upon my return, I limit myself to a scan of current news and deep reads on "ideas" like the outlook for renewable energy sources and the likely impacts of AI on our society and workplace. I share my reading discoveries on these topics with my friends and family.
Cheers....
4
Mr. brooks is correct; it’s amazing what a little perspective can do. I just spent three months out of the country w no access to American news outlets. Two things happened. I found myself reading the news in my host countries which provided a much less histrionic and more fact based analysis and I weened myself off of the self destructive habit of following the pundits morning, noon, and night. Now I spend one hour per day reading fact based sources( they are out there but hard to find) including some foreign press. I am no less informed but far more focused, more clear headed, and not distracted by the daily noise. First hint: read nothing that includes “ Trump” in the headline. Instead, determine the issue and find a source that explains both sides in clear facts not opinion. It’s what used to be called journalism and it’s refreshing.
12
While I agree that is it not healthy to obsess, I do believe we all have an obligation as citizens to be alert and stay informed! This administration is working hard to keep us in the dark. We have to pay attention. For some it could be a matter literally of life or death (e.g. eliminating environmental protections, shunting people into health insurance policies that don’t cover anything,).
40
I moved to southwestern Florida 5 years ago from the Washington DC area. I loved living there, and I was a bleeding heart liberal. Now I am in Venice, Florida and surrounded by Republicans.
I am in a Newcomers group with many Midwesterners. I had never met one! I worked for a Dem congressman on the Hill. Our unspoken deal here, since we are from all over the country, is not to talk about it, ever! You will lose a good sweet, funny friend. So I have a joined a group called Venice People Drinking Liberally! We drink and mourn together and volunteer for all the local Democrats, down to school board. Leaving Washington was a shock, but we lived in Great Falls, a Republican bastion. Training, I guess.
7
@ctgal Good for you! I hope you enjoy your retirement in Florida. I admire your commitment to current affairs/supporting dem candidates. The school board is just as important as the state rep! On a side note, I'm a Fairfax County teacher and was shocked to see Barbara Comstock campaign signs everywhere when I recently visited a school in McLean! From the liberal bastion to the red enclave in just a few miles, who knew!
When a dictator is running the country for the first time in our history, slowly tearing our democratic institutions down, steadily loading the courts with right wing judges, paying no attention to the attacks on our elections by foreign powers, creating detention centers where traumatized children separated from their parents are made to scrub toilets and are not allowed to be touched by another human when they’re upset — like something right out of a Dickens’ novel, and encouraging attacks on our journalists, to name just a few scary aspects of the administration, I think it’s more than justified to pay attention to politics. It’s more than justified to talk about it, as well. It’s draining and stressful, but that isn’t a good excuse to “check out.” Is it not true that large swaths of the population checked out in 2016, landing us in this frightening mess to begin with?
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@Baba
Your candidate checked out and took a powder in Malibu, the Vinyard, and the Hamptons. That's a large part of what landed us in this mess.
1
I've tuned out a couple months ago. Every once in a while I relapse, as I just did by posting this.
9
If stopping talk about politics absolutely if even for only a few weeks, one can start sections at a time.
I refuse to read tweets by Trump, refuse to read comments on his tweets, and since I have long refused to listen to him speak, I'm slowly agreeing that a hiatus is a soul improver.
19
Well, when i get home from work i read through the art dailies with my dinner. Check in with my online music group. I'll look in at the Intercept, read a political article or three here on the NYT that might look interesting (ie healthcare, jobs and wages, NY state, primaries, Thomas Edsall). Usually zero of those are focused on Trump. Somehow the earth still seems to turn whether i read them or not.
8
Well, Mr. Brooks, here's the deal. First, yes, I agree with you in one respect...that is no matter the subject and even if our friends (or relatives) agree with every utterance from our mouths, to go on and on and on is inconsiderate of our listeners and a tad obsessive. Just ask my kids when they were growing up. In fact, we eventually get tuned out if not down-right ignored or, heaven forbid, ostracized!
But..in regard to "nothing will change" if we take a two-week hiatus from politics...well, sir, that theory is doomed to failure as much as I would love that to happen, or not happen. ("Would"? "Wouldn't"?) This is not ordinary times. This so-called administration with Trump at the helm is volatile. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, something DOES change because we are at the hands of instability and erratic behavior the likes of which I have never experienced during 70 plus years. In other words, we absolutely can NOT take our eyes off this present political debacle. My proposal? Make a life within a life with, I am going to say it, moderation. Keep up with the instantaneous news but pick up a good, maybe even racy, novel. Talk to our comrades in arms, but go shopping, or out to lunch, jog or workout together. You get the point. But take a break? That we can not do. November is around the corner, and we have no time to lose.
110
I'm tuning out the daily news cycle of going from one Trump fiasco and on to the next. I feel as if I've become a willing participant in a scheme that's been devised to confuse and confound the electorate. In place of the hourly / daily hand wringing I am devoting my time to full-length, in-depth books on the topic of Russia. And, I've started watching The Great British Baking Show which showcases real human beings striving to do their best at something that pleases almost anyone who eats.
20
Me too!!
1
According to Brooks:
"Or, just maybe, it’s because you can’t stop talking about politics." I live on the liberal west coast whom the majority are dismayed, as an understatement, of what is going on. But we are careful to not disrupt our society by talking about politics unless it's in an appropriate setting. I belong to a discussion group where we meet monthly but have different discussion topics. We don't always talk politics, though we could. I have to admit, I have been keeping up with all the goings on of the administration and court dealings. I find it more compelling and informative than binge-watching Downton Abbey or House of Cards or taking a break of to watch some other mindless drama. And I believe it is my civic duty to keep up with what is going on. The trumpsters want to keep us distracted so as to further destroy our democracy.
51
"Nearly one in six Americans has stopped talking to family and close friends over politics."
How will we ever come together enough as a country to move forward, if we've stopped talking with even the people we love but disagree with? All of us could stand to talk more about our values, our experiences on the ground, and our highest ideals, and less about the political figures and news of the day that distracts us from what really matters.
11
@Christine S. Politics is not always separable from values, experiences, and what really matters. When people we know support policies or politicians that we find morally insupportable, it is not the politician that causes the rift, but a clash of values that has been newly exposed.
8
@Hal C So true! What depresses me is how I've seen my extended family to be so racist, so authoritarian, so full of hate toward "others" (i.e. LGBT). The politics has just exposed who we all really are. As a certain president would say "SAD!"
Interesting article! I so wish this could be the case in my family and circle of friends sometimes. I really try to seek out other topics these days, but coming from the DC suburbs, political discussions were and still are inevitable. My conservative pro business mother versus my pro union government employee stepdad always made for lively debates at dinner. Reagan’s taxes vs. ignoring health epidemics! Clinton’s scandals vs. he made the economy strong! Bush II’s warmongering vs. keeping the country safe! Obama’s intellect vs. his political novice!
As an educator, I have since developed into a moderate Democrat and enjoy talking with family and friends about issues that matter. I won’t disagree that 2016 took our conversations to a new level and are more debate prone. Thankfully, we keep it civil and my mom and I, for example, agree to disagree on fiscal issues. She is livid about the current administration and is contemplating becoming an independent, thanking me for keeping her informed on issues concerning education etc.. I think it’s hilarious that my family still has separate TVs for watching their preferred news programs because of their political disagreements. With us that’s the norm, though I really can’t wait for the next administration when it will be more calm and hopefully sane.
20
After being an MSNBC junkie for some time, I gave it up. And I also stopped ranting to others.
My life improved immeasurably. And I stopped boring people.
19
It sometimes seems that everyone I know well believes that the only game fit for adults isn’t some electronic app on a phone but … politics.
I have two rules when ambling among the washed AND unwashed: I don’t talk shop and I don’t talk politics, even though these are the two things these days that consume my waking hours (my NON-waking hours deal more with Scarlett Johansson). Most of them want to talk baseball or football, anyway. I HAVE noticed, though, that I’m ambling less among the washed and unwashed than once I did.
I don’t need to be exhorted not to talk politics to anyone, but not to think about it for two weeks merely to obtain a “cleanse” and I might appear to many to be a Buddhist head of the American Enterprise Institute, and O.D. on Om Mani Padme Om; and that in turn could cause everyone I know to actively be somewhere else when I ambled by – and some of them owe me money.
Focusing merely on ideas while eschewing politics is what hyper-liberals, other dilettantes and residents of the Upper West Side of Manhattan generally do much of the time. But even they, sooner or later, understand that while pure ideas are great … politics is what enables them. Well, politics and a healthy shot of funding from George Soros or the Kochs, depending on your ideological poison.
While Arthur’s advice is well-meaning, cleanses are for the irregular elderly, and time-outs are for children. The rest of us ought to be able to cope without boring friends and passerby TOO much.
10
I often do feel compelled to step back from the noise of it all. Sadly the biggest problem for that is the sheer amount of noise and chaos Trump spreads all the time.
Having someone sane who could just steer the ship would accomplish a lot of what I would like in this respect.
26
I am not taking this as suggesting we should all ignore politics, just that it is exhausting to harangue others about the issues, all of the time. especially when its often the same issues. A friend and I have an agreement - we ARE on the same side, and have chosen to do things we hope will change our nations leadership - - - and keep our talk ( mostly) on other topics, not what Trump did yesterday. That would be ceding him even more power than he has already - not only dominating the airwaves and internet but our brains. I had a significant other who - and we, too, were on the same side - could not go for a so much as a walk in the woods - the kind of thing you do to relax and recharge - without falling into political outrage.
And since it is very hard not to get "rabid" - I would call it passionate - about this administration and the relentless - a lot of energy can get spent without any "good return" - it isn't going to change minds, and it can get repetitive. It isn't even cathartic.
16
I tried to do exactly what you are saying with a trip down the Grand Canyon. No phone no internet no communications at all other than with the 30 other folks on the trip. One night a gentleman who flew his private plane to the starting point began to tell me how he almost lost his used car business in 2008 due to republican recklessness with the economy but that now it was starting to recover due to trumps policy. I asked him if he thought that maybe it was due to President Obama’s course correction and all he would say after that was that until we quit paying welfare benefits we will never be the nation we need to be. We didn’t speak any more because I really didn’t know what to say
38
"I asked him if he thought ..."
IOW, you tried to argue with him.
@JD: That's the way they go: I've found that these Trump-thumpers don't have the attention span to have a real discussion, but prefer to communicate in slogans, which they yell louder and louder until they have to switch to a different signal.
1
@TDH contrary to republicans beliefs a discussion is not an argument but merely a conversation sometimes with different viewpoints but it’s difficult to consummate a conversation with someone whose mind is closed. Or too indoctrinated in a ideology to get a differing point of view
No, I can't agree, and hope others will stay involved along with me. We are in an emergency and can't afford time off now. We must encourage discussion and education and taking action. "If good people do nothing..."
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@Marty Smith
You are totally right Marty. This is an emergency. We need to pay attention and take action, fight back, and vote in 2018. Vacations from politics are nice for Republican pundits working for the NYT. Not for the rest of us.
4
@Marty Smith
Yes. Exactly!
2
I may not be interested in politics, but politics is definitely interested in me.
67
Sure politics today has become a soap opera. But unlike soap operas of yore, this isn't scripted entertainment -- it's real (though often cartoonish) people inflicting real consequences, many of them negative, upon multitudes of real people.
Even if we feel overwhelmed, a fast isn't necessarily the best prescription for those of us who feel the need (and the obligation) to remain engaged and up-to-date.
Practicing some Ben Franklin-advised "moderation" does the trick for me. I limit my televised news consumption to one program per evening max (and I often skip days in favor of other activities) and I read articles in one or two online publications daily.
There's no need to going cold turkey especially since, unlike an addiction, news consumption has many benefits.
54
"Keep your head in the sand, America !"
"Pay no attention to the hijacked government cockpit manned by radical, Randian, religious, regressive Robber Barons, Reverse Robin Hoods and Russian-Republicans championing the 0.1%, forced pregnancies, the greatest healthcare rip-off in the world and, Greed Over Planet and the One-White-Christian-Male:One-Vote principle".....says the President for the Institute for Advanced Greed
No, Brooks, the solution for all decent Americans is to treat themselves to an actual democracy - not a fake one - and to help millions register to vote out the Jim Crow Russian-Republicans by donating to voter registrations groups and then to turn out in record numbers on November 6 2018 to flush the Trump Toilet of Treason and the Russian-Republican Duma down a sewer pipe where they belong.
https://www.voterparticipation.org/support-our-work/donate-to-vpc/
https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/BrennanCenterforJustice?skinId=110115
When Rome is on fire, the right response is to join the water brigade, not indulge in water painting.
For shame.
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@Socrates
I'm sure you won't be taking a break. But if Brokks is correct you probably have no friends either. Please report back.
1
How can we be thoughtful abut the climate of ideas if we are not thoughtful about the ideas of climate? We need to think and converse both about the climate and about why there is such disagreement on an issue that should be a matter of facts.
Starting with the second issue, we would ascertain who was behind the various opinions and whether they had interests that biased them, and go on from there.
14
Your saccharine, blithe recommendations to ignore a political catastrophe that people like you helped cause, and by which people like you are largely unaffected, and your attempts to equate the two sides... are... laughable.
231
What condescending nonsense from Mr. Brooks.
I am not overwhelmed by current events. Rather, I am overwhelmed -- and disgusted -- by the shrill, political-consultant-laden, process-driven, everything-dialed-to-11-on-a-10-point-scale coverage of current events in the mainstream media. (In using that phrase, please know that I am referring to media outlets that are mainstream on both the Left and the Right; I am not using political code-words).
I not interested in the "plot" but rather, what it means and why it may or may not matter to me, my life, my job, my neighborhood, my country.
Until such time the media can get sustainably back to a more sober, expert-laden, content-driven, issues-are-given-no-more-than-the-weight-they-deserve assessment of the 'plot', I'll stay happily switched off. In the meantime, you media guys and gals can stew in your echo chambers.
43
Sadly, there is no plot to lose track of.
13
These ideas seem to come from a privileged position to say that one can just ignore what's going on and not talk about it. Beside the fact everyone is affected by climate change, those who have their lives thrown on the line (via police brutality, immigration laws, or even how insurance companies are dealing with fallout from the extreme weather/fire events in California) simply cannot escape this problem by ignoring it. They're trapped in that reality and to do a "politics cleanse" is not an option if they're strapped into this rollercoaster and can't get out.
82
@Clare
I am strapped onto the rollercoaster of time and entropy andcthw inevitable decay of aging and crowding death but I don’t need to spend my precious time keeping up with thermodynamics, cellular biology, and the casket industry.
@ClareDo you work on your vacation or do you actually rest and have fun? What, now Trump has stolen that TOO?
Reasonable and pragmatic ideas won't create division and bitterness, what the republicans and Trump have championed are not reasonable and pragmatic.
32
Strange that Mr. Brooks should say we need to be thoughtful about "the climate of ideas." when one of the issues we are so upset about today is the climate. It is not politics that is the real issue; it is in fact a huge difference of opinion about what America should be. Do we still want what our Constitution talks about? Is what's happening today destroying our democratic republic? This is not about politics; it's about confronting an emergency. I don't believe that taking a two-week vacation from the problem is good at all. Instead, use the time to support good candidates — candidates that believe in equality and that everyone deserves a chance. Make sure everyone we know is committed to vote. I'll trust that a large majority of voters will make the right choice in November. In the end, hate will lose!
73
@Jeff
If you really believe in equality and want to make a difference, give half of your money and stuff to someone who has nothing. Then go back to doing whatever you like knowing that you have contributed all to equality that one human being might.
The last time we were in such exciting times was during the Viet Nam protests. If protesters then had just cooled it, just taken a powder, we would still be at war. They didn't, and we aren't. This is such a fascinating thing to watch - it is as if our country has climbed up on a bridge railing and is debating jumping. I wouldn't miss this show for anything, regardless of the outcome.
62
@Prairie Populist As someone who doesn't go to protests, sounds like I can safely take a break.
While I agree with, and advocate for, taking breaks *for yourself* this is the worst thing I've read in a long time. The people who can never stand to talk about politics, aka current events, are the problem here. Yes we all know that one person who could tone it down a bit. Sometimes I'm that person. But unless you have zero other interests besides politics there is no reason your passion should be costing you friends. Is it truly better to be one of the people who couldn't care less, who don't vote, who know more about reality tv than actual reality?
101
At this critical juncture in American history, a Republican wants us to stop paying attention to the POTUS. Why? So we can "feel superior" to our friends.
Yeah, right, it has nothing whatsoever to do with the fact that Republicans have run out of excuses for Trump's behavior, and their only hope at this point is to distract the voters.
186
Take the advice of a conservative think tank president to take a break from politics, 97 days from the election?
No. No way.
316
@Common Household Mom
I think everyone reading this and everyone who doesn’t go into a fugue state when you start talking about politics already knows how they are going to vote in the midterm elections. Nothing is lost by taking a break and all you have to gain is a richer soul.
Loved this: "Think of it as ideological veganism. On the one hand, your friends will think you’re a little wacky. On the other hand, you’ll feel superior to them."
One week off from political news now and then might do me good. Can't cut it off completely though. I'd feel irresponsible, especially right before the midterms.
12
And what has your contribution been to this sorry state of affairs, SIR. Please explain, if you dare. Seriously.
133
Weeks, no. But partners, spouses and friends can agree to let it go during meals and at other agreed times during the day and evening.
43
Or you can bury your head in the sand.
36
What a luxury to just "ignore" political news for 2 weeks. I'll tell that to the homeless folks that I work with, that they should just pretend to not be homeless for a few weeks, and then come back to me with a refreshed view, as the various non-profits in town try to scramble for funding with this current White House that has cut the very needed funding for shelters and other services. Guess what? When you are from a marginalized group, the personal is political, and you can't just "turn" it off.
205
Mr. Brooks, we may come from different sides of the political spectrum, but i wholeheartedly agree with you. I find music does the trick, or pursuing a passion or looking up videos online that have to do with that passion, and not politics. it leaves me refreshed and rejuvenated - until I log back on to Facebook.
4
I can only offer the therapeutic advice that people need to just let go. - it will eat you up from the inside out, if you look about at the political landscape and have the reaction that all is wrong and you must correct it.
The only thing you can do is keep a positive attitude and gather all up all of your friends, associates and neighbors and go to the polling booth. That is where the change occurs. It is in your best interest, and will dictate how your future will look.
From now until then. you must accept that the powers that be our gorging on power for power's sake, and do not care one iota about you, Their time is limited ( 2 years) and in between you and everyone else must take it.
If that upsets you, then do not sit on the couch on the day that you can make a difference. Vote.
70
While the points made here sound reasonable, I can't help but wonder why the CEO of a conservative think tank would be encouraging liberals to disengage in politics within 100 days of an election. It smells more than a bit like a tactical move to deflate his opposition and the clear energy and momentum on the left. While I admire the subtlety of his play, I'm inclined to encourage readers to simply ignore this suspect advice.
434
@Zach I don’t see where the author specifically targeted the advice to liberals.
@Zach exactly
1
@Zach And the problem is that Trump does or says outrageous things almost every day. Yes we know the plot, but as tiring as it is, it is important to condemn each outrageous behavior every time it happens, for the record if anything. And if we don't pay attention, the Trump admin may commit additional vile acts like the family separation. No, one cannot let him off the hook for a minute.
2
This is my first time commenting on an article for the NY Times because I couldn't believe how awful of advice this is.
Now is the time to be even more diligent and aware of president Trump's endless assault on America. We may be exhausted as a country, but as the stakes continue to rise, it is time to fight back even harder. Trump is not going to last forever, (hopefully) but his destruction on America can last a lifetime if we allow it to.
If we resign ourselves to "let go" for a bit and "tune out", we are doing Trump, and by extension, Vladimir Putin a huge favor.
I agree with not talking to other people about politics too frequently, but to not keep your own self informed is a mistake. That being said, of course there's a limit to how much info we should allow ourselves to consume on a day to day basis, but people seem to forget it is in fact possible to stay informed and not spend hours and hours every single day refreshing Trump's twitter timeline.
What we really should be focusing on is getting people who aren't interested in politics engaged in it.
303
@Isaac - Isaac, good job and well said! My thoughts exactly.
5
Cleanse? How? This administration stinks to high heaven
152
Arthur Brooks is one of the few op-ed writer today capable of writing though-provoking columns that are good for the soul. Thank you.
6
@caplane
Let me guess, you know him, he’s a neighbor, you work at AEI, or you’re a Republican, or all four.
Why don’t you become homeless for two weeks instead, or better yet, work two jobs at $11 an hour without health care, no time off for illness, while paying off thousands in loans to a for-profit “university” protected from legal repercussions by Republicans? That’s my life, not my politics.
People like Arthur Brooks just doesn’t get it. He needs to get out and see how most Americans are coping under Republican power, then he can ask me if we feel superior.
1
I once got into a heated argument with a fellow who believed that Stravinsky had ruined the modern world. So, music isn’t necessarily a safer topic.
32
Seems to me a sad American tragedy that people in this country prefer to avoid political debate. Another study I remember showed that people tend to go toward the party of their social group - fearing ostracization more than getting people on board with a policy idea.
The word for politics literally comes from polis or "city".
Parody, street art, philosophy discussion groups, rallies, understanding democratic principles etc are all juicy tools the people can use to shake up the top-down Trump-driven narrative.
27
An August recess for the general public, eh? With just a few months before midterm elections? While a sitting president makes plans for another private meeting with Putin, threatens the Attorney General and complains that Paul Manafort, whose trial is underway, is being treated worse than Al Capone? No chance. An uninformed citizenry is the last thing we ever need, and certainly not at a critical time like this. Nothing should pass under the radar.
But, by all means, Mr. Brooks, enjoy shooting the breeze with whomever, and supporting the party who has brought us to this turbulent stage.
358
I'm not sure a senior member of AEI is really the person to listen to on this subject. No offense to Arthur Brooks, an incredibly smart man, but an apolitical, disinterested mass populace is basically the main goal of the ideal libertarian society. The major moves are all made backstage, in the dark, while the hoi polloi just assume everything is for the best in what is surely the best of all possible worlds. Of course you can not pay attention and pick up the gist, but the nuance is where all the action is. to me this sounds like an inversion of Heather Heyer's famous last post. I think someone is hoping if you're not listening, you won't be angry.
139
@James Libertarians tend to be the most liberal group on most topics. I don’t think they are for a dissenterested populace. Republicans and Libertarians are not the same thing.
@NM You think that a Democrat who takes a break from politics for a couple of weeks is going to come back and all of a sudden start voting Republican? I'm going to take a political recess if for nothing else than to prevent myself from turning into you.