The biggest problem with politics is that it’s heavily related to age and personality. Debate is also the art of winning an argument. So it’s almost inevitable to end up in a conflict.
Sprinkle on top of that a lack of data while discussing policies and we have a recipe for explosive emotions completely based on opinions and not rooted in reality.
I was very interested in learning different ideologies on the right and the left a couple of years ago. But I eventually stopped because those discussions usually barely move the needle or bring change.
From my observations, either business or working on policies that would be implemented bring some action.
Louie, the point you make about not bringing up politics is a recurring theme in my life and you put it so succinctly with the impactful anecdotes about your customers and your pool story. I really appreciate how you positioned it. We have differing politics in my family even and honestly we stray away from it because neither side is going to budge or agree on it so we just talk about the things that matter and keep politics out of it. I’ve likely never seen a scenario where political debate was conducive to better understanding or camaraderie amongst friends if their points are opposing; it always ends in argument.
I definitely understand what you’re saying. It’s far better to keep our friends and family than to create this dislike for each other. It’s tough to change people’s minds, they’ve got to change them on their own.
A lot of times all of it has almost the opposite effect.
Nice job trying to communicate a sane approach to politics! The two anecdotes you shared are great. The reference to the sinister Carl Schmitt is spot-on, too.
The one comment I would make is, I think, complementary to your POV. You’re describing retail politics, which is definitely about tribal behavior, stoking fears and inciting hatred: “get your hands off my ovaries!” versus “get your hands off my guns!”
Wholesale politics, ie what politics is really all about, is money. Either getting your hands on the taxing and borrowing power of the government to divert it to the private interests of you and your friends, or to hijack the regulatory and legislative powers of government to benefit yourself and your friends or destroy your competitors.
All the headline, hot-button issues people think about as politics are just peanuts being thrown to the monkeys by the elites who have acquired control of the money. The elites are elites because they learned how to divide and conquer the rest of us--and getting us to pointlessly squabble with each other over meaningless issues as they loot the country.
During my time in the USA, somebody (I *think* the guy was from Nebraska but can't really recall...) told me that dragging politics into the mix is like pouring gasoline on a bonfire: it's spectacular, but ultimately destructive.
I think there very much is something to this Rick.
We’ve been around for maybe ~250k years as a species and we’ve spent about 10k civilized. We’ve spent far too much time in the woods and without civilization, we need ways to re-channel those tendencies more productively. Politics, capitalism, religion, I think all of it are ways to re-channel those tendencies.
There's usually no point in trying to convince anyone about anything. When we care so much that we get into a heated debate over some abstract problem or a political issue, what does it say about ourselves? :) Thanks for the thought provoking post!
The gun show deserves top billing not at the end of the newsletter
Haha, I was reluctant to include it but it felt like a good closer 😃
It was indeed... +1 reasons to have kids 😂
The biggest problem with politics is that it’s heavily related to age and personality. Debate is also the art of winning an argument. So it’s almost inevitable to end up in a conflict.
Sprinkle on top of that a lack of data while discussing policies and we have a recipe for explosive emotions completely based on opinions and not rooted in reality.
I was very interested in learning different ideologies on the right and the left a couple of years ago. But I eventually stopped because those discussions usually barely move the needle or bring change.
From my observations, either business or working on policies that would be implemented bring some action.
My first job out of college i had 2 senior devs on either side of me. One republican. One democrat.
I loved to hear their arguments and back and forth between coding.
They were good friends but once in a while the debates got loud and the CTO would come in telling them to shut up 🤣
That sounds like it must’ve been fun Manuel :) I’m surprised they didn’t try to drag you into it.
But the fact they were friends probably made it ok. Can be tougher with strangers I think.
Louie, the point you make about not bringing up politics is a recurring theme in my life and you put it so succinctly with the impactful anecdotes about your customers and your pool story. I really appreciate how you positioned it. We have differing politics in my family even and honestly we stray away from it because neither side is going to budge or agree on it so we just talk about the things that matter and keep politics out of it. I’ve likely never seen a scenario where political debate was conducive to better understanding or camaraderie amongst friends if their points are opposing; it always ends in argument.
Thanks for the article.
Appreciate you sharing that Skyler.
I definitely understand what you’re saying. It’s far better to keep our friends and family than to create this dislike for each other. It’s tough to change people’s minds, they’ve got to change them on their own.
A lot of times all of it has almost the opposite effect.
Nice job trying to communicate a sane approach to politics! The two anecdotes you shared are great. The reference to the sinister Carl Schmitt is spot-on, too.
The one comment I would make is, I think, complementary to your POV. You’re describing retail politics, which is definitely about tribal behavior, stoking fears and inciting hatred: “get your hands off my ovaries!” versus “get your hands off my guns!”
Wholesale politics, ie what politics is really all about, is money. Either getting your hands on the taxing and borrowing power of the government to divert it to the private interests of you and your friends, or to hijack the regulatory and legislative powers of government to benefit yourself and your friends or destroy your competitors.
All the headline, hot-button issues people think about as politics are just peanuts being thrown to the monkeys by the elites who have acquired control of the money. The elites are elites because they learned how to divide and conquer the rest of us--and getting us to pointlessly squabble with each other over meaningless issues as they loot the country.
Loved that first story! The old women (regardless of their political leaning) were so right: u won't get far in life acting that way.
Regarding the tips, did u mean $25 from them (not each)? Cuz that way the numbers should be double 😅
No JOINs lol... Definitely as u said only for tiny teams. (tho I'm still not sure why you'd go to the bother of setting up so many dbs 🤔)
And thanks so much for the share! 😊
During my time in the USA, somebody (I *think* the guy was from Nebraska but can't really recall...) told me that dragging politics into the mix is like pouring gasoline on a bonfire: it's spectacular, but ultimately destructive.
He was right!!
That’s a great analogy. It seems right to me.
Louie, this made me start to think that we need politics, not to govern ourselves, but to scratch a primal itch to fight.
I think there very much is something to this Rick.
We’ve been around for maybe ~250k years as a species and we’ve spent about 10k civilized. We’ve spent far too much time in the woods and without civilization, we need ways to re-channel those tendencies more productively. Politics, capitalism, religion, I think all of it are ways to re-channel those tendencies.
This is a nice mix of personal stories and photos, lessons, and current events 🙂
Thanks Ryan! 🙏
There's usually no point in trying to convince anyone about anything. When we care so much that we get into a heated debate over some abstract problem or a political issue, what does it say about ourselves? :) Thanks for the thought provoking post!
Hope to see you soon in Argentina to have an "Asado" (steak barbecue)