APATHY
Illustration★★★★Do you remember the Smothers Brothers? They used to do a routine that went something like this: Dick asked, “What’s wrong Tommy? You seem despon- dent.” Tommy replied, “I am!
I’m worried about the state of American society!” Dick said, “Well what bothers you about it? Are you worried about poverty and hunger?” “Oh, no, that doesn’t really bother me.”
“I see. Well are you concerned about the possibility of war?” “No, that’s not a worry of mine.” “Are you upset about the use of illegal drugs by the youth of America?”
“No, that doesn’t bother me very much.” Looking puzzled, Dick asked, “Well Tom, if you’re not bothered by poverty and hunger, war and drugs, what are you worried about?” Tommy replied, “I’m worried about apathy.” Their rou- tine is summarized on the bumper sticker that reads, “America’s Greatest Problem Is Apathy—But Who Cares?”
And comedian George Carlin reported that “Scientists have just discovered a cure for apathy. However, no one has shown the slightest interest.”
Appreciation 19
The point
A Smothers Brothers comedy routine captures society's apathy: no one worries about poverty, war, or drugs, but everyone is anxious about apathy itself—and no one cares. Dark irony exposes our cultural indifference.