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TheDag  Per Aspera ad Astra  1yr ago (text post)   3071 thread views

Calling all Lurkers: Share your Dreams of Effortposting

It’s been pointed out recently that the topics discussed in the Culture War thread have gotten a bit repetitive. While I do think the Motte has a good spread on intellectual discussion, I’m always pushing for a wider range (dare I say diversity?) of viewpoints and topics in the CW thread.

I was a lurker for years, and I know that the barrier between having a thought and writing a top level comment in the CW thread can loom large indeed. Luckily I’m fresh out of inspiration, and would love to hear thoughts from folks about effortposts they want to write but haven’t gotten around to.

This of course applies to regulars who post frequently as well - share any and all topics you wish were discussed in the CW thread!

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I am also sort of in a divided marriage. I say sort of because my wife doesn't hold very strong political views. I also have libertarian beliefs, and I never really expected to find someone that shared my beliefs. So it has never been even the slightest impediment. If I had ever let politics become a barrier to forming relationships ... I'd have no one to talk to.

For my parents it was more of a thing of minor annoyances. It felt similar in seriousness to their arguments about doing chores around the house. The real underlying problem seemed to be that they were running out of activities to do together. The kids had left the nest. They had very few mutual friends and the few they had became either obsessed with hating trump or cheering him on. And while they could sort of stand politically disagreeing with each other, its another thing to tolerate strong political disagreement with a friend. Especially when that is all you are going to talk about. My dad was physically deteriorating, and my mom was extra busy at work right before her retirement. Their one shared project for most of their lives was working on house projects together, my mom didn't have the time, and my dad couldn't physically keep doing them.

Its all ended up better. They got some meal subscription kits, and there are more grand kids now. So they cook and drink together, or watch the grand kids together. They also bought electric bikes and went on a multi-state trip to different parks to bike together and visit some distant friends.

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