I wouldn't say unthinking, more like not paying attention. normies care about living their lives by and large, as they should. however this means thinking about politics is not the path of least resistance, so politics often goes ignored. that's why so many people just believe whatever the TV man says, they never think to put the time in to investigate these things.
I consider attention a key component of thought. If you aren't attentive you aren't actually thinking, just stumbling from one reaction to the next like an animal.
but attention to what? There's a billion things we can pay attention to. Our friends, families, health, favorite games or shows, the micro-economics of dirt oval racing, etc etc etc. My point is that they choose to pay attention to things other than politics.
To thought itself. Mindfulness, for lack of a better term.
They don't have it. They don't "think" so much as they just move from impulse to impulse, reaction to reaction. Based largely on conditioning or incapability, doesn't really matter.
It's a little of both. I know very smart people with highly technical jobs who are political ignoramuses simply because they don't want to spend brain cycles on political topics. The smarter ones at least do not express strong opinions either way. They might fit into your definition, but far more people are either low IQ or criminally ignorant. Political philosophy is not so difficult that "living your life" gives you an excuse not to be aware. I must assume people like that are largely unthinking until something pokes at them. That something usually being an emotionally manipulative news report.
I wouldn't say unthinking, more like not paying attention. normies care about living their lives by and large, as they should. however this means thinking about politics is not the path of least resistance, so politics often goes ignored. that's why so many people just believe whatever the TV man says, they never think to put the time in to investigate these things.
This is why manufacturing consent is critical in a Democracy™.
I consider attention a key component of thought. If you aren't attentive you aren't actually thinking, just stumbling from one reaction to the next like an animal.
but attention to what? There's a billion things we can pay attention to. Our friends, families, health, favorite games or shows, the micro-economics of dirt oval racing, etc etc etc. My point is that they choose to pay attention to things other than politics.
To thought itself. Mindfulness, for lack of a better term.
They don't have it. They don't "think" so much as they just move from impulse to impulse, reaction to reaction. Based largely on conditioning or incapability, doesn't really matter.
Soon.
yup
It's a little of both. I know very smart people with highly technical jobs who are political ignoramuses simply because they don't want to spend brain cycles on political topics. The smarter ones at least do not express strong opinions either way. They might fit into your definition, but far more people are either low IQ or criminally ignorant. Political philosophy is not so difficult that "living your life" gives you an excuse not to be aware. I must assume people like that are largely unthinking until something pokes at them. That something usually being an emotionally manipulative news report.