What factors impel Americans to keep informed about politics and current events? I figure it’s a mixture of the following:

1. Being immersed in it. It’s all over the news, etc.
2. Genuine interest in politics.
3. Pressure to keep up with what one’s peers are talking about.
4. A sense of social responsibility.

Living in China, #1 is not really a factor for me. Yes, the Chinese talk about American politics to some degree and it’s on the news, but I still sort of feel like I’m in a bubble; I don’t read the Chinese newspaper very often and I don’t watch TV.

#2 certainly doesn’t apply to me, and neither does #3.

However, #4 does. So I do read the news online, and I talk with friends about current events too. But it seems to come up short. I often find myself doing “catch up” with the news, politics in particular. And politics is really important right now, with the presidential election coming up. (I’ve already got my absentee ballot, by the way, and I plan to mail it this week.)

One source of motivation has been Comedy Central’s* Daily Show. Sure, it’s funny, but it calls attention to a lot of important issues and helps get me interested. After enjoying the show, I often find myself researching online some things they’ve mentioned. The show certainly has its bias, but I agree with most of their viewpoints.

I imagine this show is having a significant impact on a generation of Americans that has been largely politically apathetic.

Thanks to Grace for reminding me recently that this great show exists!

* I don’t have Comedy Central here; I download episodes from the internet via BitTorrent.