Here's a promise: This article is not about Donald Trump. Instead, it's about how much more there is to American government than the Presidency. And I'd like to address that by talking about Batman.

Or about Superman. Or Marvel, or Harry Potter, or Ariana Grande. Whatever revs your engine, man. Because I want you to think about your favorite fandom. Whichever thing you're enthusiastic about dedicating your brainspace to, because you find it fun to think about.

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And yes: The thing can be weird.

Have you picked a fandom yet?

You have? Great. Now let me tell you about mine.

My fandom is Batman. I spend my free time tracking boring news stories, on purpose, if they're about Batman. I dedicate my long-term memory to obscure historical information, if it's about Batman. I dress strangely in public to express my enthusiasm about Batman. I'll even dedicate myself to arguing with the entire world if I think it can change the direction we're going as a society ... Batman-wise.

Thanks for reading that paragraph. Now: Please reread that paragraph, and mentally replace the word "Batman" with "democracy."

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Have you reread it that way yet?

You have? Great. Please remember that paragraph. We all need to reach a point where that paragraph describes us. We need to know about what's happening in our government, and vote accordingly. Because regardless of who got elected President this year, this election was a flat-out disaster for democracy. And its biggest disasters reflect our collective disinterest in anything that's not a big, flashy Presidential race.