I look at it as a matter of both privilege and apathy. I get upset (not visibly, of course) when people say they don’t “like” politics, or blow it off entirely. Politics is not some separate entity, we are living in a society! An inherently political game!
Furthermore, there is no “politics” as just a concept. What part of politics? Literally everything is politics. Climate change and environmental care? Food and agriculture? Economics? Culture, beauty, art? How can someone blow off literally everything? To me its an attempt to shut down conversation and demonstrates they don’t care or have no idea about the atrocities that have occurred/are going to due to the West’s collapse and climate change. Am I out of touch? Being non-undedstanding?
Let me know, thanks
There’s a relevant adage: “Never discuss religion or politics”
Of course you shouldn’t listen to it, but it’s there because like you said, controversy and relationships. Those ideas tend to be deeply seated as a part of someone’s identity that will get them offended if you insult, and they tend to be beliefs that people want the rest of the world to share.
The real answer is to be careful when talking about them, understand your audience and pick your battles.