Spirit Award voters may not be immune from the allure of a public awards season campaign orchestrated through late-night interviews and flattering profiles. But the lack of restrictions by either industry or central location suggests they cannot be as easily bought with private dinners, private jets and private concerts, as is reportedly custom during awards season.

When money and politics are less of a factor, doors can open up for greater representation. The winners of the last three best-director Spirit Awards have been black: Jordan Peele for “Get Out” and Barry Jenkins for “Moonlight” and “Beale Street.” Twenty-two women have been nominated in this same category, and three — Sofia Coppola, Martha Coolidge and, as a co-director, Valerie Faris — have won. Those numbers could certainly be higher, but consider that only one woman has won this category in the Oscars’ 92-year history. (In 2018, more female directors were nominated than men at the Spirit Awards. It’s nearly impossible to imagine this happening at the Oscars anytime soon.)

To be sure, there are some drawbacks. For one, Spirit Award nominations are limited to films capped at a certain budget, which as of 2020 is $22.5 million. (The Academy imposes no budgetary ceiling, though it does have requirements based on theatrical runs.) This means a big-budget crowd-pleaser like “Black Panther” has no shot at recognition — though the inclusion of acclaimed franchise films at the Oscars seems more for show (and ratings) than anything else; such films rarely win best picture.

And admittedly, some of the Spirit Award omissions in a given year are baffling to look back on — no nominations for “Do the Right Thing,” “Dazed and Confused” or “The Big Lebowski”?

Still, these slights pale in comparison with the many times the Academy got it wrong. And year after year we drive ourselves mad — for what reason?

I fully recognize that Hollywood performers and creatives are unlikely to jump onboard my “forget the Oscars” train anytime soon. Being nominated for and, if lucky enough, winning that coveted statuette remains an unparalleled career booster.

But the rest of us could save ourselves a lot of stress and heartache by directing our energy and attention elsewhere. Imagine the Academy Awards as your bad-for-you significant other: constantly disappointing you, promising change, only to under-deliver, celebrating problematic views of the world.