I just read a New York Times article, 7 years old, in which a political professional tells a member of the media that politicians are “history’s actors,” and that everyone else will be “left to just study what we do.”
By the time media and the public have caught up, politicians will have moved on.
For some reason, I believed this idea instantly, without question, and it has made me profoundly sad. Cynicism is one thing; cynicism confirmed is a more disconsolate beast.
Even before tripping into this article, I always believed that’s how it was. One big construct. But to hear it articulated, to read it in actual words made up of actual letters, jarred me.
Feels kinda Martrixy, doesn’t it? Kinda makes me want to adopt George Carlin’s late-life policy of complete emotional and social segregation from politics, instead viewing politics entirely in the role of impartial observer.
Damn.
I thought I was over politics.
