People have a few issues with this former Nike exec who shut out all news since Trump won

Erik Hagerman told the New York Times that he hasn't consumed any news since President Trump was elected. Erik Hagerman told the New York Times that he hasn't consumed any news since President Trump was elected. Photo: Per Winbladh / Getty Images Photo: Per Winbladh / Getty Images Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close People have a few issues with this former Nike exec who shut out all news since Trump won 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

The political news cycle is exhausting. Keeping up with every piece of legislation, press conference, scandal and tweet can leave you weary.

So Erik Hagerman turned off the television. And stopped reading the newspaper. And cut out social media. He says he hasn't consumed any news since Nov. 8, 2016.

The New York Times' profile of the former Nike executive, titled "The Man Who Knew Too Little," stirred controversy immediately after it was published Saturday. The piece describes Hagerman's life as a "liberal fantasy." He left his job in Portland and moved to a pig farm in Ohio, where he makes art and carefully avoids all current events.

"James Comey. Russia. Robert Mueller. Las Vegas. The travel ban. 'Alternative facts.' Pussy hats. Scaramucci. Parkland. Big nuclear buttons. Roy Moore. He knows none of it," writes Times assistant managing editor Sam Dolnick.

To pull off his "blockade" of everything political, Hagerman listens to white noise sounds while at his local cafe, watches basketball games on mute, and gives strict instructions to his friends and family, the Times writes. His investments are completely handled by a financial adviser in San Francisco.

The story detailing Hagerman's unconventional lifestyle choices sparked backlash online — though he'll likely never read any of those angry tweets.

Many pointed out that the former corporate executive has the privilege of living in ignorance. He can live off the grid while making money off his investments and his art, not needing to pay close attention to politics and policy changes. Most people don't have that luxury.

"People whose families are being torn apart by the deportation tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents don't get to be ignorant. People who are affected by gun violence don't get to be ignorant. People who require health care to live past the end of the month don't get to be ignorant," writes Mashable reporter Kellen Beck.

Others suggested he should use his resources to take more direct political action.

"Erik Hagerman is doing exactly the wrong thing. I'm all for mental health breaks, especially with this @POTUS—but willful ignorance helps no one. Opting out like this may get you profiled in @nytimes, but that isn't always a good thing," tweeted Rolling Stone senior writer Jamil Smith.

Some even criticized the New York Times for publishing the piece.

Read some of the impassioned responses on social media in the slideshow below.

The New York Times' profile of Erik Hagerman was shared widely online. Many criticized Hagerman for electing to isolate himself from current events since President Trump was elected. The New York Times' profile of Erik Hagerman was shared widely online. Many criticized Hagerman for electing to isolate himself from current events since President Trump was elected. Photo: Screenshot Via Twitter Photo: Screenshot Via Twitter Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Twitter reactions to New York Times story 'The Man Who Knew Too Little' 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

In the article Hagerman's sister acknowledged that her brother has the wealth and resources to do something the vast majority of American's wouldn't be able to pull off.

"He has the privilege of constructing a world in which very little of what he doesn't have to deal with gets through," Bonnie Hagerman told the Times. "That's a privilege. We all would like to construct our dream worlds. Erik is just more able to do it than others."

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.