Is Opting Out of Politics a Political Choice? | Idea Knock Down | TED

Can you stand up for what you believe in without participating in politics? Anti-career coach Danielle Roberts and political rule breaker Katie Paris discuss how to rethink power, work and civic life on your own terms. They explore how rest, community and meaningful participation can help you stay engaged in the issues shaping your life. (This conversation is part of “Idea Knock Down,” a series where two people with different perspectives take on big questions — one block at a time.) (Recorded on June 12, 2026)

0:00 - Idea Knock Down
1:08 - Is participating in politics necessary?
1:29 - What is democracy?
1:58 - The power of one conversation
3:09 - Inviting someone into politics
4:03 - Is social media good for democracy?
4:41 - Opting out of politics
5:11 - Abolishing the 40-hour work week
6:13 - Joy as a form of resistance
6:48 - Do people want to connect?
7:30 - Feeling guilty for resting
9:03 - Can young people fix what's broken?
10:01 - Is compromise a sign of weakness?
10:46 - Mystery challenge

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https://www.ted.com/series/idea_knock_down

https://youtu.be/oLOFkOxoPaU

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