Several well-known memes doing the rounds regularly urge us to turn off our TVs. We might mistakenly think that this is because much modern TV pabulum is utter pointless garbage or even outright manipulation, for which reason we should articulate a reasonable philosophical argument as to why it is so desirable.

Sadly, events (and, let’s be honest, lack of discipline on my part) this week have conspired to keep me away from my Stoic journal, to which I returned tonight. Why? Well, since the death of my father, settlement of the estate has been hampered by the documentary requirements for confirming my identity, as I have been out of the UK for over twenty years and the number of possible documents which could confirm who I am has dwindled, although happily (perhaps), this was finally closed this week through a surprising and unexpected application of technology; at the same time, my decision not to stay in the private English school I have been working at since early 2022 has consequences, one of which being that I either have to find a new job or become self-employed in some capacity, or leave. As the very thought of returning to my homeland these days fills me with huge lumps of disgust, I am trying to pursue the other two options.

In the meantime, however, a regular UK governmental posting slithered into my Inbox [1] and disturbingly enough, it was completely irrelevant. UK citizens abroad want to know about more important things than a condemnation of Houthi attacks upon shipping in the Red Sea; where I am, this is not only completely pointless but utterly useless. Quite aside from why the Houthis might be attacking vessels in the Red Sea, my first question is why this is even remotely relevant to my needs as a UK citizen in a distant land. Indeed, as so often with modern Western governments, I stand aghast at their constant, illogical desire to involve my country in the affairs of other nations, apparently without good reason, and at great expense and some considerable loss of life; the necessity for this escapes me entirely. Also, as a nationalistically-minded person, I would even suggest that the current victims should be left completely alone to pursue their own affairs; as long as they are not shooting directly at me, I don’t see why it is a concern.

However... as an individual citizen, I am quite incapable of having any effect or influence upon either the action or the outcomes. These are things which lie outside of my control; no decision of mine can change events - as I believe I have stated here previously, I have not voted in a UK election since about 1997, the main reason being that my vote seemed to change absolutely nothing, and only a fool wastes his time in any repetitious action which has no effect. Therefore, from the Stoic point of view, I am justified in turning off my TV: it is annoying to be presented with this day after day when my opinion has no effect upon the results. I do not need such distractions; I have better things to do with my meagre time on this Earth; and no decision of mine can affect the outcome.

Stoic philosophy makes a clear distinction between things which are within an individual’s control and things which are not. Things which are within the individual’s control are subject to that person’s reasoned choices; things without the individual’s control are not. Interestingly, this latter category includes things like disease and bodily damage - things which “happen” to a person and are not subject to their own decisions. It also includes people - even one’s own family members and friends. Their lives are subject to their own reasoned choices, not ours: they are separate individuals.

Clearly, therefore, since we cannot affect the outcomes of most things on the TV, there is little point in paying attention; by turning it off, we avoid unwanted distractions, as well as reducing our electricity bills. We should add to this, however, that by not allowing ourselves to take in the daily menu of misinformation and propaganda (because the legacy media are part of the Hydra of social control), we essentially become subversives. Instead of allowing ourselves to become subverted by those who would be our owners and controllers, we exercise sovereignty and independence. The result is focus and clarity of mind; we are better able to make decisions unencumbered by distractions and distortions. This is subversive from the point of view of anyone who tries to misinform us.

This, therefore, is the life that I try to live. I fill my mind with the ideas that I want, that are relevant to me, not to those who want dominion over me. None of the preceding should be taken to mean that a state of total ignorance is blissful - what I am suggesting is that we reduce the amount of input to a more acceptable level by limiting our own access to a dubious “resource”. We can find out about what is happening in the world without devoting our entire day to it, and in doing so, we become sovereign subversives ourselves and make our lives less stressful and more relevant.

Who knew that life could be so much more bearable and enjoyable?

Finally: in this situation, the British Prime Monster’s opinion of me is... not important, and I don’t GIVE A SHIT.

References:

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-statement-condemning-houthi-attacks-against-commercial-shipping-in-the-red-sea-3-january-2024