There's no such thing as not voting | Eric Liu 

Already people saying the video is bad and they couldn't have finished it yet, as it was released 7 minutes ago. What's your deal?

DON'T YOU DENY MY RIGHT TO NOT VOTE!!

Abstention IS a vote, IMO. It's a vote for real options. I think we need to start counting abstentions.

Its time for Direct Democracy. Nobody needs the "representatives" fooling you some years. We want to vote on subjects, not on marionettes.

You can vote all day long if you want but if you don't have any say in who is running then you don't really have a say do you.

How do we do it? A FUCKING voting holiday would be a nice start.

Your vote doesn't matter as long as the electoral college is here and we use first past the post. Currently some American's vote is worth more than others and you vote for the "least worst" candidate instead of the person who you think has the best policy. Also, this guy's talk is terrible. It is pure virtue signaling instead of an actual argument.

Voting in referendum is rarely a waste of time. Voting for government is usually a complete waste of time in the West.

I got as far as "I believe we can revive the joy of voting" at 1:08

0:00 "Why bother" I came here for a video on voting, I didn't expect it to get so deep

I think the problem isn't trying to make voting more interesting or personal; it has always been personal. The problem is giving people a reason to vote. In most states, electoral votes go to a winner-take-all system. If you are in a political minority for that state, your vote means absolutely nothing. There needs to be reform. One method is that once certain thresholds are met, the electoral votes can be split by the percentage of votes for each candidate. This system makes use of the electoral college, but also gives individual votes more weight, thus incentivizing voter turnout. This system would also incentivize candidates to focus on the whole country and not just a few "battleground" states. Whatever the solution, people need to realize the current system is broken.

One correction: in Brazil voting is mandatory and this year, in most big cities, there were more blank votes, annulled or abstentions then votes to the elected candidate, in some places even more than the 3 best ranked combined. There's no "carnival" in voting day, it's a sad Sunday, full of disappointment. The crises in representation is global. The world population does not feel like it makes any difference to choose between a handful of options that aren't that much different anyway. We need a change in the system, for our needs are way too deep and local to be divides between two main parties. The fault of the voting and campaign failure throughout the world is not of the citizens, but of the corrupt, hypocrite politicians that built and keep this failed system of "democracy". Sorry for any grammar mistakes, Brazilian teenager here.

"In Brazil, election day is a festive, carnival-type atmosphere" Here in Brazil we are obligated to vote, and there is no carnival-type atmosphere, not at all!

This was wonderful. Thank you for spreading the importance of a fundamental pillar of democracy. Let's fight back against the terrorism of apathy, fear and cowardice. Let's stop fearing each other and take back our power, the power of the people.

His glasses are somwhat mesmerizing, like a tiny part of an Escher-painting... Anyway, non-american here: You guys really need to adopt proportional representation soon, that will fix (at least partially) alot of issues with your system.

The only reason anyone should want to vote is because their vote matters and not because it is fun or cool or part of a culture. Anyone who votes for any other reason should not be voting at all. You vote to make a change, not to fit in or to have fun.

I'm amazed to find people with such optimism. Quite frankly, the mere idea of discussing politics with someone annoys me now. I've heard all possible utopias that'll never come true, and every moronic idea as well. I'm just getting used to how heavily fucked up this world is, and that guy is still convinced it can be solved by asking more people to decide between two predetermined options. I don't know how he does it. When I listen to this guy, I feel like everyone is responsible and works in everybody's best interests. But as he says, it's all about belief. I don't believe that is the solution, I don't believe there is one.

"There used to be a time in American history when voting was fun (...). That time is called 'most of American history'." Unless you were Native American throughout the 18- and early 1900's; Jewish, Quaker or Catholic in the 1700's; African Americans and other ethnicites, whos voting rights are still opposed by voter registration laws; and women until the 1920 Presidential Election... Other than those neglectable instances voting was very fun for all involved.

Vote! You do have the power to influence change and participate in society. It is a right denied to most of the people in the world. Once you have voted and you are still unsatisfied, advocate for change both locally and nationally. We have the ability to envision and implement a positive future.

Well, i'll vote when i'll see someone worthy to be elected. For now it's like choosing between AIDS and Cancer.

I don’t think I’m ever voting again. I used to vote thinking about my future and the state of my country. But at 40 years old I am single and without any children. I have been rejected all my life and do not plan to live into retirement. So whatever retirement reasons or social welfare doesn’t matter to me. Also I do not want to be cared for by the children of women who rejected me. They rejected me when I was young so I can’t imagine what disgust their children would have in caring for me in my old age. So overall I just think voting is something people with a future should make. Good luck to those and hope they make the right choice. It won’t matter to me because my line ends with me.

America will get excited about voting when the popular vote actually means something!

I'm Brazilian, and NO its not a Carnival, the law forces us doing it. if we could we probably wouldnt

"In Brazil, election day is a festive, carnival-type atmosphere." I'm brazilian and election day is absolutely not like this.

There are three moves you can make in this game. The Best Move: Vote as close as you can to your beliefs. If a third party most represents you, then vote for them even if no one else does. The Average Move: Just vote for the lesser of two evils out of fear. Most people take this route and it's not a good strategy, but it's still better than... The Worst Move: Not voting. If you don't vote, then you are no longer relevant to getting into power and can be safely ignored. If you want to guarantee that the powerful will never take your issues into consideration, then don't vote.

Love the idea and the passion. Ild love to get on board, if only I could be proud to support either of the candidates.

I don't know how he got fun in the subject, it's not about fun or meeting up with your buddy's over a beer to watch the debate, it's a serious subject that control your future and the future of the country. And if the commander in chief fucked up it will effect the country for the next 10+ years

Y do the most tax breaks go to the wealthiest 5% ?? The wealthiest 5% pay the majority of all taxes!

With this logic, I can say that everyone voted on this video? (flawed logic) I don't vote. Not because I feel powerless, or laziness. I don't vote due to a belief in separation of church and state. (and my stance as non-resistant) Who ever becomes president will have to do things I don't support (regardless of how conservative)

vote Hillary for Prison 2016

Every fourth November since I turned 18 I've done the same thing: understood that voting shows faith in the system. I have been legally able to vote in every single election since I became of age, and I'm still a virgin as far as that voting booth is concerned. This election? Wow. This has been the goofiest election ever. But I'm still not stupid enough to cast my first vote ever. Why don't I vote? Because I actually DO care. I know that my continuing to care is pretty darn stupid, but my voting for the first time would be stupider, 'cause then I'd have to serve jury duty. All it will take is for fewer and fewer people to vote, and after awhile we'll all know that only five percent of us vote, and then only one percent of us vote, and then only one tenth of one percent of us vote, and at some point numbers of voters will diminish so far that voting will be laughed out of existence. Then we can roll up our sleeves and get stuff done.

Who else is here in 2020??

I know that many people will not agree with Eric's statements, but I have to appreciate his attempt to mobilize the masses.

As a Brazilian I have to say that it isn't a carnaval during elections. At least here in São Paulo.

TED Talks suck these days........ #maketedtalksgreatagain2016

I'm a red/blue in a blue/red state. Tell me how my vote matters in the presidential race.

If you want to get people passionate about voting then the best solution is to help and empower people to be their own self-representatives. Let them have a direct say on issues and enable them to fix things themselves instead of being forced to be dependent on elitist parent figures to do it for them. There, I just provided a pretty good solution to incentivizing people to vote that doesn't involve peddling elitist dogma for 13 minutes.

The importance of voting, yaaaaaaay, my political system perpetuating itself to make me feel like I am in control in a system that is far behind the current state of technology and has often stagnated change of technological advancements which money cannot be made off of. You know what I have come to understand: it does not matter if you do or do not vote because your certain freedoms and prosperity will slowly be taken away anyhow. We are generally only taken care of in this society to the extent that money can be made off us, through employment, taxes, insurance, exc, not to extend our happiness and the well-being of the environment to its greatest potential. Evidence of this is how our environment is slowly being destroyed, or how there is a correlation between depression and industrialization. This whole importance of voting is just a thing we like to flaunt to convince ourselves that our country is great and that we have more control than we really do, which when compared to some other countries, is kind of true. But not when compared to our current technological potential, which continues to get suppressed by the already established competition (businesses). In summation, we have billion dollar businesses in this country (a handful of them) that lobby to get what they want, whether it is an education system that serves their purpose, or the suppression of a technology that money cannot be made off of. Because of this, we cannot accurately say that our country is a true democracy. In a democracy, everybody's vote is equal. But it has become increasingly difficult to get what the people want when powerful companies have more investment in their goals.

The United States needs to switch from the winner-takes-all system to a proportional system.

Couldn't say I agree with the title. I've never voted. Ever. It's honestly just not worth it. America's problems aside, there's just no system you can establish that's not somehow inherently corrupt or incompetent. No solution is good enough.

High turnout changes nothing. Manipulation strategies would change to match the high turnout and those with money would keep pushing the country to the direction they want it to go. This is great optimism, but sadly it means nothing. Sorry for bursting the bubble.

That's right! Make voting feel like it used to. Vote early! Vote often!

Lets make election day a national holiday! We have holidays to celebrate and honor our past, yet we don't have a holiday for the day we vote for our future.

If I go to a restaurant and the waiter keeps bringing me something I did not order why would I continue going to that same restaurant? Voting will never be a joy if I keep voting for these politicians who don’t fulfill their campaign promises.

Yes voting is important, and his project is interesting, but when you only have the choice between Ebola and Zika, you prefer no voting, and unfortunatly, more of us have this type of choice.

as long as we have the Electoral College you vote is basically worthless. Get rid of that and JUST count the popular vote more people will.

Who doesn't vote, has no right to complain afterwards...!

People don't vote because it's not fun or really that it's a waste. It's more about trust. Laws are written such that not even people who are paid to read and vote on them understand the law. Makes it hard to trust a broken system.

Great talk and this guy is well spoken and reasoned, buuut "a slave is no less a slave just because he chooses a new master every term of years." Voting is suggesting to a thief how to use your money with no guarantee that the thief will listen. Sure, go ahead and do it to the best of your ability if you will but it's certainly not under positive circumstances.

What if you don't like any of the candidates? Some will regurgitate the "lesser evil" argument, but what if I despise all candidates equally? Then the lesser evil argument doesn't help, now does it?

I thought this was going to be a lot more serious on this subject. Let down again.

So what he's saying is: "Democracy will not help you. Here's how to enjoy being kicked in the nuts."

I agree with this idea and view. Not voting is for suckers. Voting is the bed of democracy. Imagine 0% of voting: 0% of people who don't exercise their power! America will be just like North Korea. You can argue that your vote won't matter in the line of thousand of other votes of others, but I beg you differ. Look at the views of this video, or any video, the numbers on the thumb up and thumb down, look how you can express your opinion and how it's matter to the reputation of a video. If the video has more thumbs up than down, that's a good and entertaining video. If the video has more thumbs down than up, you know'll know it's bad. Each of every thumbs is matter for the whole process, even its effect seem unremarkable at a glance. Each individual is matter. You can argue that the election is rigged. But I believe the rig is only to some extend, and people still have power. I know George Carlin, who is a respectable comedian, said, in short: "If you don't vote, you'll have the right to complain later". I believe it's the right sentence but not in his view. If you don't vote, all the right you have left is to complain, and that "right" is suck. It didn't do anything other than wasting your time. I'd rather be voting for a bad politician but knowing that's my choice so I can move on than stay home watch TV for 5 hours shouting "If Donald Trump raging war with North Korea and activate nuclear war, I'll complain".

Man, people give me hate 'cause I'm a "wigga" and a Trot, but like the revolution never ends, Hip-Hop will never stop.

you have been in an election in Brazil. its not a happy event. If it wasnt mandatory, most wouldnt bother.

vote to forget that you have nothing to say but feel like you have.

...Brazil's election is vibrant and festive? When I was in Brazil it was seen as a "let's get this over with..." kind of deal. Nobody seemed to know/care who they were voting for- they just did it because they were legally obligated to. Maybe I was in the wrong part of Brazil?

Funny how 90% percent of all "first" comments are joking about "first" comments.

Great speech.

When Elections get worse because the calibre of our politicians is consistently getting poorer, where do You draw the line? I want quality control but that's not happening so I refuse to give My vote to what I see as being not up to scratch and in terminal decline, no wise guy will tell Me otherwise!

Not voting for anyone that isn't "Good" is the only way to change the government.

Even if You don't Vote, A vote Still appears

Bulgarians should have this ted talk on repeat.

so what you’re saying is i don’t have to go vote to vote? hey guys i already voted.

Summary: "The system's rigged, your vote doesn't always count, politicians will screw you over anyway...but whadya say about having a party based around the festering cesspool that is politics? Gosh, wouldn't that be a pleasant way to distract ourselves from the reality of our situation!"

I believe in Santa claus too. Why there in no TED for that?

Just here for an English assignment

I like this guy's message, the problem in 2021 is: a certain side gets violent when the other tries to speak. Having a fair and open forum does not align with their agenda.

I will proudly be voting because I am just a pet of the system and I am easily fooled by the illusion of choice.

Over 50% of the tax breaks go to the top 5% naturally if the top 5% manage over 50% of the wealth.

Im really blown away by all the people who say their vote doesn't matter. Politicians have been trying and continue to try to gerrymander district lines to get the most republican votes or the most democratic votes. Do you really think they'd go through so much trouble for votes that don't matter?

People are forgetting that it's a choice. Vote or don't.

terrible video

Eric, Brazil is not like that, especially on Election Day

WHERE IN BRAZIL VOTE IS A FESTIVE DAY???? AONDE NO BRASIL O DIA DE ELEIÇÃO É UM DIA FESTIVO????

Voting is important, but all of this voting system is dumb with these gerrymandered representatives

I did not vote in tonight's midterms and I'm glad with my decision so you can stick it!

If voting was done at place of employment, I'd predict near a 100% outcome.

I already know that either the Republican or Democrat will win and I don't want either of them in office, so why should I vote?

Yeah I'm still not gonna vote but 5 hours of TV a night!? Hot damn were fuuucked lol

100% of voter turnout wouldn't fix the flawed math behind first-past-the-post voting, the absurd colonial way primary elections are held, the amount of money in politics, the way the media favors a two party system, and the total obliviousness the majority of the population has to which policies actually affect them the most (local elections and state governments.) This talk was well delivered but lacks any substantial substance except "we could be more inspired about voting." The two examples he gave of people being inspired sounded like they were required to be involved in the program. There was no evidence whatsoever that these programs actually improve voter turnout. I'd prefer something that actually pinpoints issues with our elections and offers clear attainable ways to achieve them. The future of elections will absolutely involve current media, to think it wont is a pipedream. A "remember the good old days" approach is not inspiring. I hope I'm a much better informed voter because I have things like the internet, services that help me examine candidates policies, and I'm lucky enough to be in a state that only operates by mail-in ballots. I'm not going to abandon these things in favor of rallies and voting booths.

How many of these commenters realize that this video was about voting DESPITE not liking the candidates?

Voting is Absolutely Useless, when both party candidates represent and stand for mostly what you disagree with, and only an issue or two that you do agree with. I refuse to play the game of "Vote for the lesser of the two evils," because this election there is no lesser.

The important thing is the collective voice. Voting in itself isn't that powerful. If voting can drive action then good. If you want to use voting as a means to encourage action, that's fine, but make sure it doesn't end with voting. It made me a bit nervous when the speaker said "voting can feel more like join the club, or better yet join the party". We can't have people coming together every two years for a big party. We need people organising in and outside the election season if we want any real change

What if literally nobody votes?

I fancy you Eric Liu☺️

To all Voter: I allow you to vote for your slaveholder but don't drag me into this. I want to be free.

Has the black vote and a black president done anything for the rights of black people in the American judicial system?

Still don't get why there isn't a national holiday for voting. Would make such a great tool of empowerment for those who can't afford days off to have some support

I'm not going to like nor dislike this video.

The less people who hold voting as both the right and responsibily of citizenship the more it will be dragged down by those who are not "getting everyone to agree with their narrow point of view" In all democracies focusing on issues matter and be open to participation and active listening is what matters.

There is a big disconnect I believe needs to be bridged in order for this to mean something. I am in California, and during my public education I was not encouraged to join any such voting culture. Not even in small communities. One has to go out of their own way to be a part of their communities. What needs to happen is a movement in education at the high school level to encourage them to become a part of the these dialogues. Make it such that it isn't such a hassle to engage. Then and only then can matters of state be a feasible path for a voter and after that and only after that can national matters be ventured with the kind of passion this man describes. Such was the nature back when voting was not simply an option but, rather seen as a whole-hearted duty. Back in Abraham Lincoln's times most members of any community were active in matters of such overarching consequences because they all had a hand in making these communities work. Now populations and communities are so large compartmentalization has gone so far, and distraction so abundant that it is difficult to feel like a direct influence on matters of such overarching consequence. We need to experience how we affect the real world early on. This is done by approaching are youth and teaching adequately about this, and giving them opportunities to learn this.

I never vote in my life and I'm living happy and in peace

The Primaries should be a bracket system instead of everybody against everybody.

I get that voting can be important when it actually means something. However, when a country is run by a committee, such as the UK and USA, where there are measures in place to actively prevent one person from seizing absolute power, how does the election of a figurehead accomplish anything? I have only ever voted in the recent EU Referendum (remain), because that had the potential to do something. Voting for a leader will not, and should not, allow that leader to do what they like. The only exception being if a potential leader seeks to actively harm the country, or other parts of the world. Of course, they shouldn't be allowed to have absolute power, but just because it's written on a piece of four hundred year old paper, does not mean they cannot find ways around it. With risk of invoking Godwin, the rise of Hitler is a prime example of how one person can seize that power and convince others to commit atrocities. I believe that Trump is the closest thing America has ever had for a possible dictator, and while I'm 70% sure he's a troll on an epic scale, I wouldn't want to take that risk, and so, if I were an American, this would be one of the few elections I would vote in. And I would vote anything but Trump. Yes, even Hilary.

Sure you can make voting fun, it still doesn't mean it will be any good. Just go in, spoil your ballot and leave.

The problem with not voting is that not everyone is not going to vote. All these people who are wise enough to realize that none of the candidates are "good" are stupid enough to not vote for all. People who share Trumps mindset are going to vote no doubt about that, and people who don't share that mindset are either going to vote for Hillary or not vote for all. That does nothing but let a person whose worse than the other win.

We need to do more about voter suppression before 100% of people can vote.

To look at voting as celebration, one is asking for the embracement of a different kind of value. A value where a person sees it necessary to be a part of a larger group. There is nothing wrong with internet activism, the only problem is it is not used as a platform to debate and discuss, it's a platform where you can demean someone to 'win a debate'... a very colourful and exalted picture of public and political spaces is not what the American people have in mind. The question then becomes, why is there an inability to associate with a cause which transcends an individual's vicinity? Should this be seen as complacency or ignorance? Is there actually a general disinterest in the world? If there is, what are the adverse effects of it? I think one needs a socio-economic answer to that.

vote guys. may as well.