March 01st, 2020

On deciding to respond to a political post on Facebook

It's so tempting.  The post is hanging there, maybe a link to an "news" article.  My teacher brain turns on and thinks I can explain to a 44 year-old-person I drank with in high school how to find unbiased sources, how to read sources.  I think if I just write my post reasonably enough, I will make some sort of connection with someone I disagree with.  

Of course, it does not work.  They miss my point, or ignore my post.  I feel the pain of signal given/signal not received:  not being recognized or acknowledged.  

Is it worth it to try?  I would normally say no, but here is a reason I may be wrong. 

It's important to talk respectfully to people we disagree with.  The political rhetoric right now is so harsh that it is not uncommon to read someone of a different viewpoint being labeled as evil.  It's clear that party leaders are using this kind of rhetoric to drum up enthusiasm, but it is at the expense of our society, of being able to compromise and work together.  I don't want to shy away from trying to have a conversation between two humans who are not evil, just disagree.  Maybe we can change the channel one conversation at a time.  

Is Facebook the right place for this conversation?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  I guess I will wait for the next post.