4 ms·

The problem isn't the discussion of politics, it's the fact that that would even matter or influence your job in any negative way.

jmchuster 7y ago
I would normally consider that part of the human condition, not a problem that a company needs to solve. Trying to minimize the negative impact of it (like they are doing) seems about all they can do.
- JDiculous 7y ago
  I do think that Americans in general tend to be oversensitive when it comes to politics, and this mindset bleeds into the workplace. And I say this as an American. I've heard that discussing things like politics isn't as big a deal in say Europe or Israel. Personally I wish the discussion of things like politics wasn't considered taboo because I think it makes for a more boring work environment, but I'm also the type who loves to debate with people who have opposing viewpoints and don't get offended easily. Unfortunately American culture has moved in the opposite direction revolving around appeasing to the most sensitive "victim".
  - Hamuko 7y ago
    During a recent company outing, I talked about politics with like four other people. Sure, it can be a bit awkward and you kind of have to think about what you're saying, but it wasn't exactly unusual. It probably helps that we, like many other European countries, have more parties than just two, so you're not always in an us vs. them situation like in the US of A.
    - JDiculous 7y ago
      Europeans in general just seem to be more open to political discussion. When traveling I've heard many Europeans tell me that Americans tend to be very sensitive when it comes to politics, and I've found that to often be the case in my experience as well.
      - Hamuko 7y ago
        Well, as a European, I can agree with that opinion. I'd even say that Americans are very sensitive about a whole bunch of things.
djsumdog 7y ago
America has become very polarized over just the past decade. We say we want diversity, but that doesn't include that one fundie Christian person who reads his or her Bible at lunch and believes that homosexuality is wrong, but still wants to be friends with and accept everyone. We want diversity of people, but not diversity of ideas or ideology. People are afraid to talk about anything remotely controversial today, because it could result in a call for them to be fired or resign. We've seen it in academia and I feel like we're going to see it more in industry. One opinion stated on a blog or social media will be enough for others to dig up every hint of anything someone has ever posted that could be seen as negative and outright calls to have them leave. There's almost a point system in call-out culture; a subconscious social credit system among those who participate. The Coddling of the American Mind is a great book that talks about this growth in the academic space. It's made professors afraid to talk about difficult topics with their students.
- magduf 7y ago
  >but that doesn't include that one fundie Christian person who reads his or her Bible at lunch and believes that homosexuality is wrong, but still wants to be friends with and accept everyone. Where is this person? In my experience, the fundies like this just can't stop from telling others how their lifestyles are "immoral" and "wrong". That's the problem with religious extremists like this, and why people who want "diversity" don't want people like this around: they're actively opposed to diversity, and because of their dogmatic religious nature, they feel the need to push their opinions on everyone. >We want diversity of people, but not diversity of ideas or ideology. Well, yes. The idea of "diversity" is having different people from different backgrounds together in one group, and (here's the important part) getting along well. You can't do that when some of them have a hateful ideology and they hate other members of the group and attempt to hurt them in some way. How would you have a diverse group composed of people of various nationalities, and then throw some neo-Nazis in there? It wouldn't work; you'd probably have violence, or at least some serious discord. There is of course a danger to this as you've pointed out, that things can go too far in the other direction and people are afraid to voice any negative opinion, but I'm just pointing out why calls for "diversity" don't actually include certain groups of people, because those groups are inherently opposed to diversity in the first place, and have a long track record of causing problems with it.

jmchuster 7y ago

I would normally consider that part of the human condition, not a problem that a company needs to solve. Trying to minimize the negative impact of it (like they are doing) seems about all they can do.

JDiculous 7y ago
I do think that Americans in general tend to be oversensitive when it comes to politics, and this mindset bleeds into the workplace. And I say this as an American. I've heard that discussing things like politics isn't as big a deal in say Europe or Israel. Personally I wish the discussion of things like politics wasn't considered taboo because I think it makes for a more boring work environment, but I'm also the type who loves to debate with people who have opposing viewpoints and don't get offended easily. Unfortunately American culture has moved in the opposite direction revolving around appeasing to the most sensitive "victim".
- Hamuko 7y ago
  During a recent company outing, I talked about politics with like four other people. Sure, it can be a bit awkward and you kind of have to think about what you're saying, but it wasn't exactly unusual. It probably helps that we, like many other European countries, have more parties than just two, so you're not always in an us vs. them situation like in the US of A.
  - JDiculous 7y ago
    Europeans in general just seem to be more open to political discussion. When traveling I've heard many Europeans tell me that Americans tend to be very sensitive when it comes to politics, and I've found that to often be the case in my experience as well.
    - Hamuko 7y ago
      Well, as a European, I can agree with that opinion. I'd even say that Americans are very sensitive about a whole bunch of things.

djsumdog 7y ago

America has become very polarized over just the past decade. We say we want diversity, but that doesn't include that one fundie Christian person who reads his or her Bible at lunch and believes that homosexuality is wrong, but still wants to be friends with and accept everyone. We want diversity of people, but not diversity of ideas or ideology. People are afraid to talk about anything remotely controversial today, because it could result in a call for them to be fired or resign. We've seen it in academia and I feel like we're going to see it more in industry. One opinion stated on a blog or social media will be enough for others to dig up every hint of anything someone has ever posted that could be seen as negative and outright calls to have them leave. There's almost a point system in call-out culture; a subconscious social credit system among those who participate. The Coddling of the American Mind is a great book that talks about this growth in the academic space. It's made professors afraid to talk about difficult topics with their students.

magduf 7y ago
>but that doesn't include that one fundie Christian person who reads his or her Bible at lunch and believes that homosexuality is wrong, but still wants to be friends with and accept everyone. Where is this person? In my experience, the fundies like this just can't stop from telling others how their lifestyles are "immoral" and "wrong". That's the problem with religious extremists like this, and why people who want "diversity" don't want people like this around: they're actively opposed to diversity, and because of their dogmatic religious nature, they feel the need to push their opinions on everyone. >We want diversity of people, but not diversity of ideas or ideology. Well, yes. The idea of "diversity" is having different people from different backgrounds together in one group, and (here's the important part) getting along well. You can't do that when some of them have a hateful ideology and they hate other members of the group and attempt to hurt them in some way. How would you have a diverse group composed of people of various nationalities, and then throw some neo-Nazis in there? It wouldn't work; you'd probably have violence, or at least some serious discord. There is of course a danger to this as you've pointed out, that things can go too far in the other direction and people are afraid to voice any negative opinion, but I'm just pointing out why calls for "diversity" don't actually include certain groups of people, because those groups are inherently opposed to diversity in the first place, and have a long track record of causing problems with it.