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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 11:14:10 GMT
People like the sound of their own voices, basically, and it's exemplified by the way message boards like this seem to encourage 'political discussion'. It's not surprising that the longest posts are related to recent elections or protests. It's verbiage without so much of a hint of a smile on its face. Sometimes it's fun, but more often than not inflexibility and arrogance characterise the discussion and it brings out the worst in people. Sums it up really, perfect description of the US politics related threads. It is hilarious though, so i'm enjoying it.
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Post by Reactionary Rage on Jan 13, 2021 11:19:53 GMT
I think the "everything is politics" is an insidious idea. In my experience those who say this are the kinds of people who just want to talk about politics and little else hence why they try and bring everything back to it. Activist types. That certainly doesn't describe me! For me, at least, it really is just about recognizing that words and actions can count for a lot, even if it isn't obvious at the time, or even if it's on a very small (even very personal) scale. The little things do, or at least can, add up. And as has been made very clear in recent elections, something as simple as voting can in fact make a huge difference, for better or for worse, in our day to day lives and in our world - despite what rayge says. Not a dig at you Charlie but as a general rule I don't want to be sat to such people at a dinner party you know? It's usually a precursor to something tedious and I find people like that boring and earnest typically. Politics is one of the great surrogate activities. It gives people meaning and purpose but often I think such energies would be better directed elsewhere. I don't think we need more politics and more people into politics. I think it's one of those things that feels like some kind of solution (especially when those people are on your side) but is actually part of the problem. The world was saner when people were more into, I dunno, Mr Blobby or summat.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 11:26:29 GMT
Is there a lot of "working class" politicians in house in the UK? I mean people who come from working class families? I think there should be more people like this in politics to jump on your "more people in politics" statement.
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Post by tory on Jan 13, 2021 11:30:24 GMT
Is there a lot of "working class" politicians in house in the UK? I mean people who come from working class families? I think there should be more people like this in politics to jump on your "more people in politics" statement. I believe it is at its lowest ever level in terms of trad working class representation. Something like less than 10 Labour MPs come from manual occupations.
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Post by Reactionary Rage on Jan 13, 2021 11:34:12 GMT
That's about representation amongst MPS though. We could use more working class MPs and we could also use more working class people in culture that's true.
I'm reminded of a scene in that programme Ed Balls did about Trump voters. He visits some southern couple, has a meal with them and they make it clear that you avoid religion and politics around the dinner table and I thought, you know what, there is something very civil and common sense about that approach.
We need more of that sorta thing. Less politics, more music, film, art, food, discussions about jellyfish, whatever.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 11:35:59 GMT
Is there a lot of "working class" politicians in house in the UK? I mean people who come from working class families? I think there should be more people like this in politics to jump on your "more people in politics" statement. I believe it is at its lowest ever level in terms of trad working class representation. Something like less than 10 Labour MPs come from manual occupations. If i was british (scary) that would seriously scare me. Maybe a possible election manifesto for labour, program to get more grassroots in to local politics and to build them up to higher level politics. No quota selections though, they have to be good at their job.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 11:39:27 GMT
We need more of that sorta thing. Less politics, more music, film, art, food, discussions about jellyfish, whatever. Somethings can't escape poltics even if they don't have a clue what's going on, even sea life. Someone Wrote ‘Trump’ on a Florida ManateeShower of cunts.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 11:40:08 GMT
Is there a lot of "working class" politicians in house in the UK? I mean people who come from working class families? I think there should be more people like this in politics to jump on your "more people in politics" statement. No there isn't, parliament reflects power imbalances in society. Should there be more? Absolutely.
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Jan 13, 2021 11:55:53 GMT
Politics is one of the great surrogate activities. Yeah, I get that and I think I agree. Good phrase.
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Post by Mr. FOLLARD on Jan 13, 2021 12:00:50 GMT
That's about representation amongst MPS though. We could use more working class MPs and we could also use more working class people in culture that's true. I'm reminded of a scene in that programme Ed Balls did about Trump voters. He visits some southern couple, has a meal with them and they make it clear that you avoid religion and politics around the dinner table and I thought, you know what, there is something very civil and common sense about that approach. We need more of that sorta thing. Less politics, more music, film, art, food, discussions about jellyfish, whatever. I set the board up mainly to talk about music. That's honestly what motivated me. But we're talked out on a lot of those topics, and anyway people tend to have more to say about politics - as you can see. I mean, "more to say" can be taken completely literally - the average length of a post in threads devoted to Trump or whatever is probably three or four times that for one about the Stones, say. That's the way it is. People really get out the megaphones for this stuff. I kind of get it, but at the same time it can get pretty dull.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 12:07:45 GMT
The other thing is it's the nearest thing to a shared culture. You can't not have an opinion on Trump or Brexit can you? But I can certainly see it can get too much sometimes. I'll get days where I'll purposely avoid it.
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Post by Reactionary Rage on Jan 13, 2021 12:16:19 GMT
The other thing is it's the nearest thing to a shared culture. You can't not have an opinion on Trump or Brexit can you? But I can certainly see it can get too much sometimes. I'll get days where I'll purposely avoid it. Interesting point. When we have so little shared culture and shared moments to discuss around the 'ol watercool this kind of stuff is maybe some kind of substitute. We've gone from, "did you see Cheers last night?" to "what do you think about Brexit?". Like you I have increasingly turned off. I haven't been watching any covid news at all for example and get my info through the lass. She had to explain the whole bubble thing to me cos I didn't have a clue. I don't use Twitter anymore and barely read the news. I feel happier for it I have to say. Is this me just moving towards a position of self imposed ignorance? To some degree I guess but, frankly, who cares? Anyone fancy a game of chess?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2021 12:27:07 GMT
Even chess is political! Do you know the whole story of the Karpov -Kasparov games? They were fascinating, would make for a great documentary.
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Post by Reactionary Rage on Jan 13, 2021 12:33:52 GMT
Even chess is political! Do you know the whole story of the Karpov -Kasparov games? They were fascinating, would make for a great documentary. Bloody lefties I don't know about the story, no? I watched a Bobby Fischer doc the other day though. Of course I was cheering him on when he took on the USSR and arseraped their boy (although Spassky was a gent).
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Post by sloopjohnc on Mar 28, 2021 14:33:06 GMT
Fareed Zhakaria's weekly GPS show on CNN is doing a great job reviewing what led to the Jan. 6th insurrection going back to 1950 in the U.S. I recommend highly.
One interesting fact pointed out that people who voted for Biden represent 71% of the GDP while red counties and states represent 29%. Basically, they feel left behind and Trump played on that resentment.
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