Name: The antidote to apathy
Uploaded: 2011-04-12T14:30:00Z
Duration: 6 min 48 s
Description: Local politics -- schools, zoning, council elections -- hit us where we live. So why don't more of us actually get involved? Is it apathy? Dave Meslin says no. He identifies 7 barriers that keep us from taking part in our communities, even when we truly care.

Local politics -- schools, zoning, council elections -- hit us where we live. So why don't more of us actually get involved? Is it apathy? Dave Meslin says no. He identifies 7 barriers that keep us from taking part in our communities, even when we truly care.

The antidote to apathy

People care deeply about their communities, but a maze of hidden obstacles blocks their engagement. In Toronto, zoning notices are so unreadable that even motivated residents struggle to get involved, while media and politics rarely invite real participation. The real issue is not public indifference, but a system designed to exclude and discourage. Recognizing these barriers is the first step toward meaningful change.