If we tried to write about politics, you'd realize that we're
The words of Mark Hoppus fall with the sharpness of jest and the humility of truth: “If we tried to write about politics, you’d realize that we’re all a bunch of idiots.” Beneath the humor lies wisdom: that not all are called to the realm of statecraft, and that the artist must sometimes confess his ignorance rather than pretend to mastery. In a world where every tongue seeks to speak of power, Hoppus reminds us of the nobility of knowing one’s own limits.
In the age of the ancients, Socrates himself declared that his wisdom lay in knowing that he knew nothing. So too here: to acknowledge folly in the face of politics is not weakness but a kind of strength. For many have spoken boldly on matters they did not understand, and their words led nations into ruin. Better the fool who laughs at himself than the arrogant who believes his voice alone should rule.
History gives us an example in the poets of Rome. Juvenal, the satirist, mocked the follies of rulers but confessed through laughter that politics was a swamp beyond repair. His verses endured because they did not pretend to solve the ills of empire, but instead revealed the absurdity of men drunk on power. Like Hoppus, he turned to irony, wielding it as both shield and sword, exposing the truth through mockery.
And yet, Hoppus’s words carry another meaning: that musicians, artists, and dreamers often serve society best not by donning the robes of statesmen but by speaking to the heart. Where politics divides, music unites; where ideology hardens, laughter softens. By admitting himself an idiot in the realm of government, he claims a higher wisdom—that the calling of art is not to legislate but to liberate the spirit.
Let this be a teaching for the future: it is no shame to step back from realms one does not understand. Rather, it is folly to feign knowledge and thereby mislead. The artist who sings from honesty heals more than the demagogue who shouts with false conviction. And if the world laughs at the admission of ignorance, let it laugh—for in that laughter lies freedom, humility, and truth.
NK12- Ta Nguyen Khang
Hoppus’ quote is a tongue-in-cheek reflection of the frustration many people have with politics. It almost seems to suggest that because we’re all ‘idiots’ when it comes to politics, we should just accept that and step back. But, is this a defeatist view? Instead of accepting ignorance, shouldn’t we be finding ways to make political discourse more inclusive, so that more people feel empowered to participate and make informed decisions?
HTHang Thanh
Mark Hoppus’ quote seems to highlight how disconnected many of us feel from politics, especially with how confusing and polarized everything seems. It also raises the question of whether this sense of incompetence is a barrier to genuine political engagement. If we don’t feel equipped to understand political issues, how do we move past that? Is the solution to simplify politics, or is it more about encouraging better political literacy?
XDle xuan dat
Hoppus’ remark about politics and our collective ignorance is a reflection of the frustration many people feel with the political system. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the complexity of politics, and his comment makes me wonder if the system itself is designed in a way that makes people feel helpless or unqualified to engage with it. Can we ever make politics more accessible to the average person, or is it always going to feel out of reach?
SSaki__661
Mark Hoppus' quote offers a humorous yet cynical take on politics, implying that if the general public were more involved in political writing, we'd realize how little we actually know. While there’s a lot of truth to this—politics can feel overwhelming and complex—it also raises a question: Does this ignorance breed apathy, or is it a sign that the system is too complicated for regular people to engage with? How do we simplify politics for the average person?