I'm starting to view politics as just another hobby people have.  Some people are into cars, some people are into sports, some people are into movies.  And some people are into politics.  They read about politics, they watch TV shows and videos that discuss different political topics in depth, then they bring up those topics in conversations with people.  Have you ever had a conversation with a car guy where you're already way out of your league, and then he brings up some obscure factoid about fuel injection pumps?  Yeah that's how I feel about anything involving "the speaker of the house" or "the debt ceiling" or whatever the flavor of the week happens to be.  That's your hobby, not mine. 

There are two sort of major sticking points with this way of thinking, which I'll briefly admit and then promptly dismiss.  One is that the subject of politics often goes hand in hand with the subject of current events.  Or perhaps more accurately, politics sort of has its slimy tentacles in every conceivable space in our lives, which makes it a continuous, unending current event.  In general, it's probably good to be aware of current events so you understand what's happening in the world and maybe appreciate your part in it.  Alternatively, you can willfully remain hopelessly ignorant and be no worse for wear.  In the grand scheme of things, it literally doesn't matter. 

The other sticking point is that knowledge of politics, and maybe current events more broadly, carries an air of intelligence.  Or at least that's how it seems.  Other hobby topics don't carry that weight.  I've met smart car people and smart sports people, but I've never felt inferior because I didn't know what an overhead camshaft is or what the infield fly rule is.  But I've definitely felt inferior for not knowing tax policies or healthcare reform bills.  Maybe that's just me though. #politics