As I wrote yesterday's post I realized that I had never made a post explaining my rule behind not talking politics on this blog.  So, since there's no time like the present, I thought I'd take a second to explain the logic behind that.

I honestly believe the biggest problem our society faces right now is the over politicization of things.  Politics has its place and there's nothing wrong with discussing it in that context but it shouldn't be a part of every discussion.  These days it seems impossible to discuss anything without politics creeping into it and that...is profoundly sad.

One of my most firmly held beliefs is that a right-wing Conservative and a left-wing Liberal are still going to have a lot in common.  The truth is, often times they both share the exact same values.  The difference between a Gun Control advocate and someone who doesn't want Gun Control laws is that one believes Guns prevent violence while the other believes they create it.  But both those people want the same thing, less violence. 

Given that fact it seems nothing short of bizarre to me that those two people can't discuss something like "building a robust data layer" simply because they disagree on how to achieve their shared values.  It really is a travesty.

A pointless travesty at that.  Take another controversial topic: Abortion.  Everyone understands the realities of abortion at this point.  No one is going to be convinced to change their opinion on something so fundamental based on a blog post.  That just isn't going to happen.  I've been around online message boards since Elementary School and I can honestly say I've never seen someone change their politics based on an online discussion.

So not only does this over politicization cause people to demonize each other it does so to absolutely no end.  Let me say this again for emphasis: By letting politics into every aspect of life we lose our ability to have civil discourse on any topic while gaining nothing in return.

I wish we lived in a world where people could have online political discussions without feeling the need to demonize those who disagree with them but a lifetime of experience has convinced me it isn't possible.  I wish we lived in a world where all the smart people could just agree on one political position but that isn't happening either.

Given both those facts all we can really do is learn to leave politics at the door when that isn't the topic at hand. 

So let me say right now, in the arena of politics, I officially relinquish any chance I might have of swaying you.  I don't want your support.  If you are a person who simply must know what I think in order to cast your vote I'd politely ask you not vote at all (or better yet do your own research). 

...and THAT, is the last you'll hear me say about Politics on this blog.