DON'T TALK ABOUT POLITICS

or How Defending What's Right Doesn't Require A Membership

I am not political.

Someone recently said to me that I should maybe stop being so political.

I was shocked. I am not political.

I belong to no political party.
Never have.
I’ve voted for all three major political parties in Canada over the years.

I have no interest in politics.
Politics is a game.
I have no need for another game in my life.

I play Wordle, that new ziggy zaggy word game in the New York Times, the Saturday crossword when I can from the Globe and Mail, and occasionally Starlink on a Nintendo Switch that was given to me though I have no idea what I’m doing and usually just fly my spaceship around and shoot at things.

I do not play politics.

Politics is important. No argument there.
It’s how things get done… eventually… sometimes.
But it’s also stupid.
It attempts to reduce important issues to partisan issues for the sake of winning and not what’s best for society.
Politics has become sport and entertainment.
Politics should not be entertainment (I write about that in my upcoming book Welcome to the Stupidpocalypse - sweet plug, eh, publisher?).

No, I’m not interested in politics.
I’m interested in the outcome of happy over harm for all.

I don’t need to agree with someone and as long as their actions and words don’t impede the happiness and safety of others, I don’t need to agree with them.

I am confident that I do not share many of the same views as my neighbour who once, entirely shirtless, sold his boat in his driveway.
I admire him for this, possibly even envy, and it harmed no one but I don’t think it’s how all nautical commerce should be done.

Of course, this is a simplistic view that demands that you ignore an intricate and ornate system built up over hundreds if not thousands of years that demands you take a side if you want anything to happen.
For those who toil within that system for the greater good, I thank you.

But also… what’s wrong with the simplistic view?

I briefly took logic in university as part of a philosophy major.
Thankfully, most of it didn’t stick so I could still find success in social media.
The biggest takeaway I had from those classes was that you can reduce most, if not all, arguments down to an equation.

For example, let’s say that I like going to the pub (A), but drinking beer makes me lazy (B), which means I don’t exercise (C) as much as I should, which makes me pudgy (D), which makes me sad but I want to be happy (X).

Easy.

I can still go to the pub (A) if I walk there and back which will give me some exercise (C), counter my lazy (B), mitigate my pudge (D), and make me happy (X).

A + C - (B, D) = X

Okay, it’s not a perfect example but I haven’t been to the pub yet today.
You get what I mean.
Many issues can be reduced to simple equations without the need to commit wholeheartedly to any side, party or club.

If we’re all solving for ‘X’, does it matter how we get there?

Pushing for good isn’t political.
It’s just pushing for good.

I’m interested in right over wrong.
I’m interested in making life better for everyone (lofty but true).
I’m not interested in being right, left, up, or down.

I’m not political.
I’m trying to not be a dick.

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(Pictured: Author carefully takes selfie featuring tiny Obama and Trudeau specks in front of White House so as to not confuse phone with other item that may cause concern for the snipers positioned on the roof)

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I have new a new book coming out. Shannon and I are doing a tour for it.
We’d love to see you there. Ottawa and Winnipeg tickets now available.

Buy them here: Stupidpocalypse.com

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Thanks as always for your support!