Thoughts on Politics

A new series from me

Hey guys,

You guys know, from my other writings, that I have political opinions and feelings. I've been struggling for a while, though, to think about what political language might be productive. The full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine really shook me. I worry that Americans have been so busy defining ourselves in opposition to each other that we forgot that there's a whole world out there with bigger threats than the ones that are typically the subject of our policy debates. Three years ago this month, I wrote this poem:

Resolution
February 26, 2022

I’m going to lay down my weapons
     of culture war:
     the outrage and the provocation;
     suspicion, cynicism, snark.
I’m going to lay down my weapons
    of culture war. Try to
tread softly. Pray for winter wheat.

I've largely kept to that resolution. Obviously, I've been deeply disappointed by the way discussions over topics like the Ukraine war have developed. But I just haven't felt like it's useful to directly denounce the approaches I have concerns about. A lot of people are doing so and I don't feel like my voice would add anything.

Last week, though, I decided that one thing I can contribute may be a Chelm-like perspective on things. I've written two political posts in the voice of a misinformed character, just trying to make sense of what's happening. My personal rule is that I won't fight fire with fire. I'm going to focus on absurdity rather than outrage. I'm going to be honest but gentle. I'm going to try to end each post on a thought a sympathetic reader can smile about.

It seems to be doing good for people. I don't know what would happen if people tried to take a similar approach across the country, but I think it might be interesting if we learned not to rise to the bait when people try to start fights. If we learned to answer goading with laughter instead.

Anyway, I'm going to post the series on Substack. I'm setting it as a separate opt-in category so that people can skip it if they want. We'll see how long I can sustain the voice and feel like I'm still shedding light on things without turning tonally bitter.

Wish me luck,

—James

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