Current US law about workplace safety proscribes a certain type of professionalism. The kind that says, "We can have a heated discussion on how text based web s

Current US law about workplace safety proscribes a certain type of professionalism. The kind that says, "We can have a heated discussion on how text based web search works, but not anything else." There are other ways to be professional, but those seem to be difficult to operate usefully in multiperson US companies, and this way isn't bad. I think it's appropriate to ignore whether a co-worker thinks the moon landing was faked, or what sports team they like, or if those idiots they heard about in the news are a big deal or no deal at all. That's simply not what the workplace is for. To the extent those discussions happen, I view it as a partially-voluntary leaking of their personal lives. Nothing to condemn or engage in, just politely ignore it until your lunch finishes in the microwave. The idea that people would want to express any views in some type of organized way inside their employer's organization makes little sense to me -- I find it unprofessional but not outrageous or anything. I think it's clear whether something is an on-topic professional comment. All discussion of news stories is a 'no' unless it is e.g. a new regulation on the industry or their customers that was just announced.