[houseabsolute]

The only one I disagree with is: "You care far more about current nearby events than similar distant or past/future events." That just seems rational to me. I spend more time developing opinions about things that are happening near, spatially and temporally, because those are the things I am most likely to be able to affect for the better.

[kiba]

Most current news already happen too fast for me to affect things for the better or is outside of my influence.

By learning from past, when everything is settled down, I can prepare for future changes. By improving myself, I can expand my sphere of influence and make better decisions for things that I can affect within my influence.

[houseabsolute]

That sounds nice, but I'd appreciate some concreteness. Personally I don't think "history" has much to teach you unless you are a general, world leader, or someone who likes learning things for their own sake. There's not much actionable content back there for normal people.

How exactly are you "improving yourself" and "expanding your sphere of influence"? And have any of those had more concrete results than attending city council meetings or telling your friends to vote for legalization?

[kiba]

How exactly are you "improving yourself" and "expanding your sphere of influence"?

Start a Tim Ferris style business, improve fitness(to increase lifespan), learn economic analysis, build social network and social skill and lot more.

And have any of those had more concrete results than attending city council meetings or telling your friends to vote for legalization?

My opinion is that I am unlikely to have concrete positive impact by voting in elections. I prefer to look for way to disrupt the democratic process and the current balance of power. That's a hard thing to do. (Some people might think I am evil for opposing democracies though)