Give the politics a rest

Especially over the last few years, I’ve become less tolerant of political discussion outside of very specific channels. Meaning, if you’re a political podcast or news show, then fine. Discuss it. However, if you’re a tech podcast or science fiction television show, you need to stay in your lane.

There’s the idea that some things are too important to remain silent, but I would propose to you that there are some things that are too important to speak about. Maybe it’s not the right time, the right venue, or (gasp) you’re not the right person.

I’ve struggled with this. I’ve definitely erred on the side of offending and annoying people. I can’t even say that this made me feel better, let alone moved the needle for the cause I was speaking for (one I still believe in, by the way).

In hindsight, I think my speaking out was from an emptiness inside of me, a lack of meaning. Making a difference would justify my existence. I see a similar emptiness in the virtue signaling of some, tearing down other people to make themselves look superior.

Is this true of all political discussion? No. Of course not. I do think it’s most of it, however. Also, I don’t think being on the correct side of an issue protects you from this attention seeking behavior. As I said, I still believe in the cause I was speaking out about.

The vast majority of political commentary online (and in person) need not be uttered. There is far more value in seeing each other as human, and having more things that we can share in common. Then when the political discussions do happen, perhaps we’ll hear each other and even be friends on the other side.