without getting into what my beliefs in the matter are, I have to say that I've been really enjoying all politics-related discussions lately. I've been with my extended family for a day now (for the annual xmas shebang) and every meal has featured at least one talk on the upcoming presidential election and the various themes that have been broached by the candidates.
As a true believer in the importance of voting (basically, if you don't do it, you're voiceless, however futile your vote might seem), I've enjoyed the act of voting since turning 18, but I guess it really took the 2007 presidential vote for me to get into all of the debates. What I enjoy most about these talks isn't necessarily getting my viewpoint across, though I do try to do that too, but mostly hearing the variety of opinions around the table. My family tends to be more on the intellectual side of things, so it's interesting to listen to what they've got to say about one candidate or the other. Even if the general prognosis isn't very good, the debates still tend to be pretty lively.
Living and traveling abroad, I've often had these discussions with locals, but it seems to me French people have a special talent when it comes to talking about the subject of politics by being both down on the idea and very into the ideas being exchanged. When I was younger I used to shun such talks, preferring to discourse about music or movies, but now I find I love to discuss politics or the economy with friends or family. One part of this change comes from having a job, paying taxes and generally considering myself a producing member of society, but another is definitely from having the right people to talk to. After all, if all you're able to discuss are the talking points you hear repeated ad nauseam on TV, the discussion probably won't go too far. Of course I'm still more inclined to want to talk about Terrence Malick's genius or how Midlake are the closest thing to Fleetwood Mac these days, but a little dollop of "grown-up" subjects is now an acquired taste for me.
As a true believer in the importance of voting (basically, if you don't do it, you're voiceless, however futile your vote might seem), I've enjoyed the act of voting since turning 18, but I guess it really took the 2007 presidential vote for me to get into all of the debates. What I enjoy most about these talks isn't necessarily getting my viewpoint across, though I do try to do that too, but mostly hearing the variety of opinions around the table. My family tends to be more on the intellectual side of things, so it's interesting to listen to what they've got to say about one candidate or the other. Even if the general prognosis isn't very good, the debates still tend to be pretty lively.
Living and traveling abroad, I've often had these discussions with locals, but it seems to me French people have a special talent when it comes to talking about the subject of politics by being both down on the idea and very into the ideas being exchanged. When I was younger I used to shun such talks, preferring to discourse about music or movies, but now I find I love to discuss politics or the economy with friends or family. One part of this change comes from having a job, paying taxes and generally considering myself a producing member of society, but another is definitely from having the right people to talk to. After all, if all you're able to discuss are the talking points you hear repeated ad nauseam on TV, the discussion probably won't go too far. Of course I'm still more inclined to want to talk about Terrence Malick's genius or how Midlake are the closest thing to Fleetwood Mac these days, but a little dollop of "grown-up" subjects is now an acquired taste for me.
