History Main / StoppedCaring

* After getting his scythe stolen over and over again throughout the series, Grim in ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'' actually says this verbatim when Sperg steals Grim's scythe in the episode "The Super Secret Snake Club vs. P.E." (PlayedForLaughs, of course.)

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'': [[spoiler Ansem, Seeker of Darkness thought at some point that [[ScrewDestiny he could defy his seemingly inevitable destiny]] as [[GreaterScopeVillain Master Xenahort]]'s sacrifice. After realizing [[YouCantFightFate this was an impossibility]], he simply gave up. By the man's own admission, he found himself not caring at all about the betrayal of the remaining members of the original Organization XIII, knew he stood no chance against Sora and co, and finally "nothing else seemed to matter anymore". spoiler]].

* ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsIII'': [[spoiler]]Ansem, Seeker of Darkness thought at some point that [[ScrewDestiny he could defy his seemingly inevitable destiny]] as [[GreaterScopeVillain Master Xenahort]]'s sacrifice. After realizing [[YouCantFightFate this was an impossibility]], he simply gave up. By the man's own admission, he found himself not caring at all about the betrayal of the remaining members of the original Organization XIII, knew he stood no chance against Sora and co, and finally "nothing else seemed to matter anymore".[[/spoiler]].

* ''VidoeGame/KingdomHeartsIII'': [[spoiler Ansem, Seeker of Darkness thought at some point that [[ScrewDestiny he could defy his seemingly inevitable destiny]] as [[GreaterScopeVillain Master Xenahort]]'s sacrifice. After realizing [[YouCantFightFate this was an impossibility]], he simply gave up. By the man's own admission, he found himself not caring at all about the betrayal of the remaining members of the original Organization XIII, knew he stood no chance against Sora and co, and finally "nothing else seemed to matter anymore".[[/spoiler]].

* Winston Payne in ''Fanfic/DirtySympathy'', he has a pretty good idea what's going on. But knows that with the personalities he deals with, he shouldn't even bother.
* The ''[[Fanfic/FeralnetteAUBigFatBreak Feralnette AU]]'' has [[WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug Marinette]] give up on trying to stay friends with her classmates and maintain her cheerful persona, as she decides to focus primarily on her duties as Ladybug and the new Guardian of the Miracle Box. To this end, she trades her fashionable style for oversized hoodies and unkempt hair, stops fighting against [[BitchInSheepsClothing Lila's lies]], and no longer goes out of her way to help all her estranged friends as their 'everyday Ladybug'.

* The ''[[Fanfic/FeralnetteAUBigFatBreak Feralnette AU]]'' has [[WesternAnimation/MiraculousLadybug Marinette]] give up on trying to stay friends with her classmates and maintain her cheerful persona, as she decides to focus primarily on her duties as Ladybug and the new Guardian of the Miracle Box. To this end, she trades her fashionable attire for oversized hoodies and unkempt hair, stops fighting against [[BitchInSheepsClothing Lila's lies]], and no longer goes out of her way to help all her estranged friends as their 'everyday Ladybug'.

* After trying and failing to get Bakugou to become a better person for over a decade and being nearly bullied to suicide for it, Izuku finally gave up in ''Fanfic/TheVigilanteBossAndHisFailedRetirementPlan''. Izuku realizes that Bakugou is going to refuse to change and they're both toxic influences on each other. When Izuku and Bakugou reunite at Yuuei, Izuku maintains his distance and refuses to react to Bakugou's baiting. While Izuku still cares for Bakugou on some level, Izuku stopped caring about helping him

* In ''Franchise/MassEffect'', the warlike krogan race suffer from this collectively. They used to have a very high birthrate, which was necessary on their home planet because of frequent death at the hands of predators, and later each other. The Council races discovered and uplifted them, using the Krogan to defeat their Rachni enemies, but once they'd been removed from the conditions which limited their numbers the Krogan grew too strong and attempted to conquer everything. The Salarians responded by creating the [[SterilityPlague genophage]], a bioweapon that would alter the DNA of every Krogan and drastically reduce their birthrate by causing most pregnancies to result in stillbirth. The Turians, taking a different view than the Salarians who only wanted it as a deterrent, unleashed it on the Krogan. The Salarians had carefully calculated the effect to stop the explosive multiplying of the Krogan while still allowing enough births for the species to survive. However, the continuance of the krogan's [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy natural proclivity for violence]] despite them no longer having the birthrate to compensate has frustrated most efforts to keep their population from declining. As a result, many krogan are fatalistic about their impending extinction, and thus, only live for violence and short-sighted, selfish goals.

When used seriously, the character has probably crossed the DespairEventHorizon, overlap with SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids, or become TooBrokenToBreak. Compare GivingUpOnLogic, ThenLetMeBeEvil, JadedProfessional, TheFatalist, and ThePowerOfApathy. When one's descent into cynicism is triggered by a particular event (rather than a gradual grind over time), see CynicismCatalyst. If a new character appears and the process starts all over again, see LogicalLatecomer. If a work does this to its audience, it's EightDeadlyWords. When this happens to a creator of a work, see CreatorsApathy.

* Neru's connected songs "Whatever whatever whatever" and "Let's Drop Dead" show two friends, I and Yaya, talk about how they wanted to do a lot with their lives, but social pressure and a bleak outlook caused them to stop and live their lives as unashamed "pieces of trash". It's not clear if "Let's Drop Dead" is before or after the former song, but they made an effort there (represented by them exercising) before completely giving up.

* PlayedForDrama in ''Manga/{{Devilman}}'' (and by extension, ''Anime/DevilmanCrybaby''): near the end of the series, [[spoiler:Akira's friend Miki is murdered by a lynch mob, he forsakes his efforts to protect humanity to get revenge against Ryo, whose machinations led to Miki's death. This is especially poignant in ''Crybaby'', when Akira flat out states that he has no tears left to cry. This also becomes a ForegoneConclusion: his empathy was the biggest source of his strength, without which he ultimately dies by Ryo's hands.]]

* Considering the nature of ''FanFic/TheInfiniteLoops'', this has happened to more then a few people, who realize that with time constantly resetting, nothing they do will matter in the long run. This is known as Sakura Syndrome, named after [[Manga/{{Naruto}} Sakura Haruno]], the first person confirmed to suffer from it. This mentality is actually very dangerous, as it can cause loops to crash, possibly damaging them further.

* ''Film/TheShawshankRedemption'': During his first two onscreen parole hearings, Red assures the workers that he has definitely been rehabilitated by his time in prison. His parole is rejected both times. The third hearing following [[spoiler: Andy's escape from Shawshank]], Red has been so beaten down by his 40 years in prison that he admits to the parole hearers that he thinks that the entire concept of rehabilitation is a sham, and while he does genuinely regret the crime he commited to earn his sentence, he's now too old to care whether they release him or not.[[spoiler: Ironically, this admission convinces them to grant him parole]].

* ''Film/GoneWithTheWind'': Rhett Butler, having had enough of Scarlett O'Hara's pursuit of love, decides to leave Atlanta for parts unknown, to which this famous exchange occurs:
-->'''Scarlett:''' Rhett, if you go, where shall I go? What shall I do?\\
'''Rhett:''' Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn.
* ''Film/FeedingFrenzy'': Carl's primary characterization is his total apathy. When he asks Jesse what his "big dark secret is," Jesse seems like he's actually about to come out with it, but Carl says, "Actually, I don't care," and walks away. Even when Carl is helping the protagonists fight the monster invasion, he's frequently seen shirking his duties so he can dance with pretty ladies or drink a beer.
* ''Film/Joker2019'' is all about a [[TheMentallyDisturbed troubled]], but generally well-meaning nobody [[StartOfDarkness turning into the monstrous supervillain the world would come to fear]]. Part of [[FromNobodyToNightmare his journey to villainy]] entails him [[TraumaCongaLine losing virtually everything he has left in his life to believe in]], and after getting a taste for blood, he learns to accept that [[StrawNihilist life has no meaning]] but the chaos he creates does, [[BloodbathVillainOrigin and becomes damn near unstoppable from it]].

* ''Literature/AChristmasCarol'': While most people think of Scrooge as a guy who hates Christmas, he has a greater problem with his fellow man. Scrooge has become old, bitter, and miserly as a result of past tragedies, the worst of which happened around Christmas. As a result, Scrooge no longer cares about the poor and those worse off than him. [[ItWasHisSled But as everybody knows]], [[HeelFaceTurn he eventually learns differently]].

* In ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'', Greg can't go to Emory business school, because he has to take care of his sick dad, so he decides to go to extension school instead. However, he slacks off and when he gets a bad grade, he claims it's because of this trope and he simply doesn't care anymore. He ''could'', but he doesn't. [[SubvertedTrope He is then promptly called out on this.]][[note]]TruthInTelevision: Psychologists refer to this as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-handicapping self-handicapping]], a defense mechanism used to protect a person's ego in cases where he or she is afraid of failure.[[/note]]

* ''Series/MotherlandFortSalem'': Due to the death of her mother, Raelle initially has a death wish. She enters basic training not caring about herself or anyone else. Later subverted however. She gains a lover and friends among her fellow cadets, whom she's very caring toward (albeit in a subdued, quiet way).

* ''Podcast/TheAdventureZoneBalance'': [[spoiler: Taako, over the course of ''The Stolen Century'', stops caring as a result of seeing The Hunger engulf or at least nearly destroy every world they land on.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']]: [[spoiler: Everyone I've ever met, aside from the six of you, were just ''dust.'' Just talking ''dust,'' okay? So I started worrying a lot more about ''me'' because what was the ''fucking'' point?]]
** He has another, even darker moment of this [[spoiler: during Story and Song, when his memories are restored and he realizes he's lost Lup and been betrayed by Lucretia.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']] : [[spoiler: I appreciate what you’re trying to do. And I’m on board for whatever the plan is. But understand this: I have nothing, and I don’t give a shit. The world is ending, and ''I. Don't. Care.'']]

* ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'': [[spoiler:Sans]] found out [[MediumAwareness the whole world can reset at any time]], which has basically driven him to become incredibly lazy and not really care what's going on. [[spoiler:That is unless you do the [[VillainProtagonist Genocide Run]] in which case you become such an evil threat [[NeutralNoLonger he can't possibly not care any longer]] and decides to [[LetsGetDangerous give you a bad time]]... by laying the [[SNKBoss most brutally hard boss fight]] on you the entire game has to offer.]]

* Not displayed, but expected, by Preston Garvey in ''VideoGame/Fallout4''. If the player character chooses to help him and his charges escape a raider siege, Preston offers them money even though none was requested. If the PC responds that they "didn't do it for the money," he's shocked and apologetic, explaining that since the Minutemen had dwindled, he'd gotten used to everyone he met only being in it for themselves.

* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'': A problem the writers had with Dib near the end of the show's run was that he wasn't responding to any of the abuses he'd suffer, thus ruining the central conflict of the premise. This is most evident in "Zim Eats Waffles" wherein after having been humiliated in front of his teammates at the Swollen Eyeball and having his room destroyed by robots, Dib [[BigNo screams]] only briefly, then simply mumbles "whatever...", and goes to bed.
* In one ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' sketch, a spurned member of Franchise/GIJoe decides to join Cobra after being mocked and stuck with the codename "Fumbles". Then Cobra Commander gives him a bad one as well (though at least he [[InnocentlyInsensitive wasn't being malicious about it]]), which the man is resigned to.
-->'''Cobra Commander:''' My those are some fancy trousers. I shall call you Trouser Snake!\\
'''Calvin/Fumbles/Trouser Snake:''' Heh. I don't even care anymore.
* After getting his scythe stolen over and over again throughout the series, Grim in ''WesternAnimation/TheGrimAdventuresOfBillyAndMandy'' actually says this verbatim when Sperg steals Grim's scythe in the episode "The Super Secret Snake Club vs. P.E." (PlayedForLaughs, of course.)
-->'''Sperg:''' Gimme that! ''[steals Grim's scythe]''\\
'''Grim:''' I stopped caring like [[BreakingTheFourthWall five episodes ago.]]
* Trevor Belmont lost everything at the tender age of twelve in ''WesternAnimation/Castlevania2017''. His family home was burned to the ground, he was excommunicated from the church, and all of his family is dead. Trevor today is a jaded vagrant who only seeks to find his next meal and [[DrowningMySorrows his next drink]]. He's been living such a cold and lonely life that he just got used to it, to the point that he doesn't even realize his own depression until Sypha points it out to him.
-->'''Trevor:''' Am I really sad?\\
'''Sypha:''' All the time. You don't even notice it now. It's just how you are.

* In ''Webcomic/{{Sinfest}}'', Fuschia's in love. [[http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3147 It does not encourage her to do well in the soul-buying business]].

--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']]: [[spoiler: Everyone I've ever met, aside from the six of you, were just dust. Just talking dust. Okay? So I started worrying a lot more about me because what was the fucking point.]]

--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']] : [[spoiler: I appreciate what you’re trying to do. And I’m on board for whatever the plan is. But understand this: I have nothing, and I don’t give a shit. The world is ending, and I. Don't. Care.]]

* In ''Series/CrazyExGirlfriend'', Greg can't go to Emory business school, because he has to take care of his sick dad, so he decides to go to extension school instead. However, he slacks off and when he gets a bad grade, he claims it's because of this trope and he simply doesn't care anymore. He ''could'', but he doesn't. [[SubvertedTrope He is then promptly called out on this.]]
** TruthInTelevision: Psychologists refer to this as [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-handicapping self-handicapping]], a defense mechanism used to protect a person's ego in cases where he or she is afraid of failure.

[[folder:Podcasts]]
* ''Podcast/TheAdventureZoneBalance'': [[spoiler: Taako, over the course of ''The Stolen Century'', stops caring as a result of seeing The Hunger engulf or at least nearly destroy every world they land on.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']]: [[spoiler: Everyone I've ever met, aside from the six of you, were just dust. Just talking dust. Okay? So I started worrying a lot more about me because what was the fucking point.]]
** He has another, even darker moment of this [[spoiler: during Story and Song, when his memories are restored and he realizes he's lost Lup and been betrayed by Lucretia.]]
--> [[spoiler: '''Taako''']] : [[spoiler: I appreciate what you’re trying to do. And I’m on board for whatever the plan is. But understand this: I have nothing, and I don’t give a shit. The world is ending, and I. Don't. Care.]]
[[/folder]]

* ''WesternAnimation/InvaderZim'': A problem the writers had with Dib near the end of the show's run was that he wasn't responding to any of the abuses he's suffer, thus ruining the central conflict of the premise. This is most evident in "Zim Eats Waffles" wherein after having been humiliated in front of his teammates at the Swollen Eyeball and having his room destroyed by robots, Dib [[BigNo screams]] only briefly, then simply mumbles "whatever...", and goes to bed.

When used seriously, the character has probably crossed the DespairEventHorizon, or overlap with SillyRabbitIdealismIsForKids. Compare GivingUpOnLogic, ThenLetMeBeEvil, JadedProfessional, TheFatalist, and ThePowerOfApathy. When one's descent into cynicism is triggered by a particular event (rather than a gradual grind over time), see CynicismCatalyst. If a new character appears and the process starts all over again, see LogicalLatecomer. If a work does this to its audience, it's EightDeadlyWords. When this happens to a creator of a work, see CreatorsApathy.

* PlayedForDrama with [[spoiler:Leo]] from ''Manga/PandoraHearts''. After [[spoiler:Elliot's death ([[ItsAllMyFault of which he blames himself]])]], he pulls a FaceHeelTurn in order to [[spoiler:perform his duties as Glen]], but he even admits to himself that he hates everything and that "in the end... nothing mattered anymore."

A character, having faced an indifferent world for so long, finally gives up all pretense of trying. He does the bare minimum to try to get his job done and makes no effort of initiative elsewhere. He knows that whatever he tries isn't going to work, so it's just easier to be jaded and cynical (and right) than to be constantly disappointed by plans that never work.