Recently I’ve had some frustrating conversations with people. Someone said Oregon is “deeply red”, which sounds like an absolutely unhinged thing to say when you consider all branches of government in OR are controlled by Dems.

I’m sure I was rude to the person, but I tried to explain how ridiculous that is. If Oregon is deeply red then what is Alabama? Just because the rural areas are conservative? I spent way too long on this one.

Anyway how do you handle this kind of nonsense in the world? I usually just say what I’m thinking to people these days, but more and more it’s feeling like I should just stfu and let people believe whatever

  • free_casc [comrade/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
    4·
    6 days ago

    Depends on a lot of things, obviously this person is revealing their ignorance to you in an obvious way. You know more than them.

    As far as how to respond and communicate any further, many questions come to mind:

    • Is this a person you are obligated to have a continued relationship with?
    • is this a person who you want to have a continued relationship with?
    • Is there a power dynamic on your relationship with this person?
    • Do you think they would be hostile if any particular topics were to come up?
    • Does this person have a any position of implicit or explicit social or political power/influence?

    These answers would all influence my response, but I don’t particularly enjoy engaging with people who’s understanding of the world is so misaligned from mine that I usually just move on as quickly as possible.

    • keepcarrot [she/her]@hexbear.netEnglish
      4·
      6 days ago

      Also, does this person respect what you have to say? If no, you’re probably not going to change their mind and you should conserve your energy and talk to someone else