Comment by FollowingTheDao
Comment by FollowingTheDao 17 days ago
If you can’t talk about politics with your friends, then they are not your friends.
Comment by FollowingTheDao 17 days ago
If you can’t talk about politics with your friends, then they are not your friends.
Tacking onto this I think the more important variable for ease of conversation is the extent to which someone's sense of identity is tied to their political beliefs.
E.g. I'm moderately left but I'll still engage in healthy conversation with right-leaning friends and acquaintances because I like to understand where they're coming from. However I have some friends who I love dearly but know that despite their intelligence and how much I enjoy their company, they've become very tribal in their politics, so I don't bother engaging in political discussions with them beyond basic diplomatic contributions. Or posing questions that offer new perspectives. I still trust them and value their friendship though.
But this is the difference between friends and acquaintances. My friends are more likely to share my views, but even if they didn’t talking about this stuff would not damage the friendship since it’s beyond ideology and more about shared sacrifice and loyalty.
Isn't that increased polarization largely driven by, you know, certain political actions? I find it strange to argue that both sides are evil nowadays. I'd say one is evil and the other is hypocritical and self-serving. The choice is still pretty clear.
Was going to comment the same thing. I try to avoid politics with co-workers and family because they are people that you are obligated, on some level, to interact with and have decent social cohesion. Friendships are entirely voluntary, so I can't begin to understand choosing to spend time with people that you can't honestly share your thoughts and feelings with, political or otherwise.
Who among us does not entertain the happy illusion that our genuine friends number more than is the reality?
Precisely. I make a clear distinction between my friends and my acquaintances. My friends would do anything for me, my acquaintances, not so much.
I get the sentiment but guess I disagree, esp in the modern age with the increased polarization painting opposing sides as evil daily