The Truth about Apathy

People have told me that nothing will change in America until people feel their own peace and affluence threatened. There is too much apathy in America to save it.

I do not believe it.

Apathy is not a new problem but a universal problem. Thomas Jefferson openly acknowledged this in the Declaration of Independence.

Despite the overwhelming majority of colonist who were apathetic, some still found ways to organize a force to overcome tyranny; we can too.

Over 2,000 pamphlets were written during the Revolution in an effort to change the sentiments of the people.*

The distribution of these pamphlets was not an organized effort, but it was a response to apathy, the indifference of others to suffer and allow the whole country to come under subjugation rather than right themselves and preserve their freedom.

To effect the will of man, you have to effect his mind.  The mind must have truth, not uncertainties.  Uncertainties bind his feet; truth loosens the bonds.

People have not changed over time.  What the Founders were plagued with then is what we are plagued with today.

Consider what great tools we have to feed the mind truth.  We have computers connected to every relevant video and audio clip and every single important document on record.  All this - only a mouse-click away! 

Douglas Noel Adams said,

A computer terminal is not some clunky old television with a typewriter in front of it. It is an interface where the mind and body can connect with the universe and move bits of it about.

Wikipedia summarizes the Internet with these words.

The Web, as it stands today, has allowed global interpersonal exchange on a scale unprecedented in human history…People separated by vast distances, or even large amounts of time, can use the Web to exchange — or even mutually develop — their most intimate and extensive thoughts…with less individual investment than ever before in human history.

I compare the Internet to the Printing Press that brought people out of the Dark Ages 550 years ago.  We can use it to change the sentiments of the people. It can bring us out of the dark ages again if we use it and protect it.

Thomas Jefferson  said, "Educate and inform the whole mass of the people... They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty."

If ever there was a time that we could educate and inform others it is now.  We have the tools to do the job. Do we have the will and strength?

Can you inform three people?  Can you tap them on the shoulder, hand them a video and ask them to watch it?  If so, then together we can educate the whole mass of people and preserve our liberty.

But first, apathy (this idea that people don't care) must not be seen as some invincible wall that is destined to hold us back. It can be overcome.

Common Sense, the most popular pamphlet, reached only 2 out of 10 people.   The Revolution itself only had about 3% participation from the people.

That is only 3 out of every 100!  Our job then may not be as big as you would assume.

If you are convinced that apathy can be overcome, then skip ahead to the 45-Day Course.  There you will begin to take the steps necessary to turn our country around.

If you are not convinced that apathy can be overcome then please consider the following four factors at work in our land to overcome apathy.

1. The Results of Tyranny