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Meh: The Power of Apathy on Society

Holly Braithwaite

Gonzaga University
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With the endless list of problems including unemployment, economics, poverty, and

government dissatisfaction facing American citizens today (The Most Important Problem, 2017)

narrowing down only one issue is impossible. We must examine the root cause of these and

many other issues; apathy, or lack of concern, is America’s greatest social problem. Miniscule

attention spans paired with endless information, devices, technologies and communication

platforms is a cocktail for individual demotivation. Inability to control situations, much less

make a dent in the pile of daily personal stimulus, contributes to the feeling that one person

cannot make a difference in the world, so trying to make change is not worth the effort.

Unfortunately, inaction never promotes change. This idea was perfectly described in a

2016 Huffington Post article published shortly after a shooting in an Orlando night club. The

author writes, “I cannot tell you the amount of people as of late who have either revised their

social media status or verbalized their opinion that the world is going to crap, but then simply sit

there and do nothing” (Seldon, 2016). He maintains that if we don’t speak up, then change will

never occur. “The truth is that change is made up of microscopic ripples” that, when working

together, will eventually create a bigger difference (Seldon, 2016). The idea seems simple, but

how did society become so apathetic?

Research conducted at the University of Groningen and Duke University concluded

indifference is a societal product fueled by group assimilation. Through a series of studies, they

determined people “are likely to assimilate indifference when disengaging is already a distinct

possibility for them” (Leander, Shah, & Sanders, 2014, p. 230). Becoming disengaged due to the

barrage of modern technology is not difficult for individuals, therefore the apathy cycle

continues. Indifference becomes compounded as today’s youth faces challenges more unclear

than in previous generations. (Martin, 2014).

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Others have acknowledged the frustration that occurs when we feel we cannot make a

difference:

Too many of us have become passive and disengaged. Too many of us lack confidence in

our capacity to make basic moral and civic judgments, to join with our neighbors to do the work

of community, to make a difference. Never have we had so many opportunities for participation,

yet rarely have we felt so powerless (National Commission on Civic Renewal, 1997, p. 10).

Eradicating apathy is a heavy task. If people become involved in change, however, the

cumulative impact creates an overarching motivation that diminishes indifference. Combating

apathy lies in customizing individual level of participation through time, convenience and energy

(Ede, 2012). People will never feel less overwhelmed in their personal lives, however, taking

responsibility for one’s contribution to apathy is a small start toward making a bigger impact on

the societal whole.

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References

Ede, S. (2012). The Antidote to Apathy -- From Indifference to Making a Difference. Retrieved

from http://www.cruxcatalyst.com/2012/08/29/antidote-to-apathy/

Gallup Inc. The Most Important Problem. Retrieved from

http://news.gallup.com/poll/1675/Most-Important-Problem.aspx

Leander, N. P., Shah, J. Y., & Sanders, S. (2014). Indifferent Reactions: Regulatory Responses

to the Apathy of Others. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 107(2), 229-247.

doi:10.1037/a0037073

Martin, D. (2014). This is Why Today's Youth is Apathetic. Retrieved from

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/david-martin/apathetic-youth_b_5689765.html

National Commission on Civic Renewal. (1997). A Nation of Spectators: How Civic

Disengagement Weakens America and What we can do About it (Report No. ED424174).

Philadelphia, PA: Pew Charitable Trusts.

Seldon, K. (2016, -07-08T17:37:12Z). The Biggest Problem in America. Retrieved from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kevin-seldon/the-biggest-problem-in-am_b_10876194.html