How Rational Apathy Can Be Stopped if We Pass on the Passion
By Del Albright — Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate
America has become a land of constant media hype and slanted “education.” From an early age, kids are taught to feel more than to question, and to tolerate everything—even ideas that diminish personal responsibility. Meanwhile, timeless passions like hunting, off-roading, camping, overlanding, and shooting sports are nudged aside by a steady stream of crises (some real, many manufactured) that whirl us in circles until we barely notice what we’re losing.
We recognize that this is frighteningly detrimental to a healthy society. So why do we allow it to continue?
What Is “Rational Apathy”?
Chris W. Cox, former NRA-ILA Executive Director, coined the phrase in a January 2014 column on Second Amendment rights. His point was simple: people can juggle only so many priorities at a time. Unless a threat feels immediate, small infringements slip past unchallenged, stacking up over time until our freedoms are quietly chiseled away.
Distractions That Chip Away at Access
- A war abroad—then a housing crash at home.
- Economic free-fall—then a law restricting detachable magazines.
- Wildfires, pandemics, elections, social-media outrage cycles… the list never ends.
Each headline crowds your mental bandwidth, tempting you to postpone dues, skip a meeting, or forget that letter to your representative. That’s “rational” (you only have so much capacity) and “apathy” (the issue feels distant today). Combine the two and you get slow, painless erosion—until the gate is locked and the trail is gone.
Pass On the Passion
Those who oppose our way of life are relentless; we must be just as committed. Here’s how to keep your outdoor passions sustainable and front-and-center:
- Identify your core passions. Maybe it’s gun rights and four-wheeling, or land-access and coaching the kids’ ball team. Pick what truly fires you up.
- Make a weekly commitment. Set aside one small, non-negotiable block of time—yes, every week—to do something that defends those passions.
- Teach and inspire. Mentor the next generation, brief elected officials, and share accurate information online. “Pass On the Passion” is more than a slogan; it’s a survival strategy.
The “One-for-One” Challenge
For every day you spend enjoying the outdoors, match it with one concrete action:
- Write a letter or email to a decision-maker.
- Make a phone call urging support for responsible access.
- Attend a meeting or webinar on land-use policy.
- Donate to an organization that defends motorized recreation.
Take Action—Today
Don’t let life’s distractions drain the lifeblood from our trails, dunes, and public lands. Stay informed, stay vocal, and stay involved. If we consistently pass on the passion, we can stop the slow death of outdoor recreation and keep America’s great outdoors open for all who love it.
Stay connected. Follow my latest advocacy work, trail reports, and stewardship tips at delalbright.com.