If UR Democrat or Republican........
Let's be real: if you're blindly loyal to either the Democrats or Republicans, you're either one of three things – fucking stupid or rich/powerful OR in government.
There, I said it.
Let me explain.
We live in a world where people slap a party label on themselves like it's their birthright. "Oh, I'm a Democrat because I care about the environment," or "I'm a Republican because I believe in freedom." Cool. But do you actually think for yourself? Or did you just pick a side because that's what everyone around you was doing, and you didn't want to be the odd one out? It's like we're stuck in this box, screaming our opinions into the void, pretending our 100-view Instagram story is somehow shifting the political landscape. Newsflash: nobody gives.
It's ironic, really. Back in high school, I was pushed out of my main social circle during freshman year just because I supported a different politician. But the funny part? The same people who kicked me out ended up siding with my opinion once their candidate dropped out of the 2016 race.
YOU ARE IN A BOX
That’s the thing, isn’t it? Most of you are living inside this box. And let's be real, social media is your box's wallpaper. You’ve got clowns everywhere blindly reposting content, thinking they're making an impact. They believe that their 100-view Instagram story about whatever conflict going on this week is somehow shifting political discourse. “Wow, you reposted an infographic? That’ll change the world!” Spoiler: it won’t. Most people are just swiping past your story, and the rest are pretending to care for that two-second dopamine hit of feeling "woke." I am specifically calling out the ones who spend 0 seconds researching racism that posted the black picture on their story during the BLM movement. Racism is a problem, but before you think you are a solution please actually spend some time researching before forming an opinion and endorsing the looters.
But here's where it gets even dumber: you think you're consuming "unbiased" information from these sources. Let me tell you how wrong you are. Propaganda is real, and it’s lurking in every meme, headline, and short-form video you consume. I have a friend who runs a meme page with over 2 million followers. She was approached to run political ads on the Israel-Palestine conflict and was offered money to push pro-Israel memes. Tell me again how you think you’re seeing “unbiased” content when meme pages are literally getting paid to push narratives. You’re not seeing the truth; you’re seeing what someone wants you to see.
News isn’t some sacred source of information either. It can be bought. If I wanted, I could call up a few PR agencies tomorrow and buy posts in big-name outlets like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the LA Times. That’s how easily narratives are shaped and how quickly you’re turned into another sheep in the herd. You read a headline, you assume it’s truth, and you go about your day thinking you’re well-informed. But really, you're just another sucker being manipulated.
So, there you are, inside your little box, screaming your pre-packaged opinions, thinking you're making a difference. But all you're doing is playing the game that someone else set up for you. You're not a player in this game – you're a pawn. And until you realize that, you’ll keep banging on the walls of your box, pretending you’re doing something meaningful.
Independence
Here’s the thing: if you really want to make a difference, you need to start by being independent. It’s not about trying to prove you're smarter than the next person; it's about taking the time to form your own conclusions. Don’t let yourself become a puppet, dancing to the tunes of whatever echo chamber you find yourself in. It’s easy to fall into the trap of hearing a quick 15-second clip and thinking you’ve got all the answers. But life is more complex than that.
The problem is that American culture loves pushing this binary, A/B form of thinking. You’re either left or right, Democrat or Republican, Coke or Pepsi, BMW or Mercedes, Apple or Android, Arts or Science – as if every issue in life can be boiled down to a simple "yes" or "no." But in reality, 99% of the time, it’s not that black and white. There are so many variables and nuances on the board, and trying to cram every issue into a neat little box is just lazy thinking. This oversimplification blinds us to the fact that most decisions involve layers of complexity, and it’s only by examining all the factors that we can truly understand what's going on.
People are quick to align themselves with a party – "I’m a Democrat" or "I’m a Republican" – but it’s important to realize that these parties have their own agendas. They aren't your lifelong friends, and they’re definitely not as loyal to you as you might be to them. At the end of the day, they're billion-dollar businesses with carefully crafted messages designed to influence you. It’s worth asking yourself: are your beliefs truly your own, or have you simply absorbed what’s been handed to you?
The One Exception to Picking a Side
Now, there is a time when it makes sense to choose a side, and that’s if you’re trying to build a career in politics. If you’re aiming to be a major player in that world, then, sure, aligning yourself with a party can be a smart move. It’s about networking, building relationships, and climbing that ladder. In that context, picking a side is more of a career strategy than a reflection of your personal beliefs. And that’s okay, as long as you’re aware of why you’re doing it. You aren't David Sacs or Peter Theil. You aren't Ried Hoffman or Vinod Khosla. You aren't Trump or Harris.
So, What's the Alternative?
Instead of getting caught up in party loyalty, challenge yourself to do your own research. It’s easy to gravitate toward sources that confirm what you already believe, but growth happens when you expose yourself to different perspectives. Dig a little deeper. Explore opposing viewpoints, and don’t be afraid to question what you’ve been told. It’s not about proving yourself right or wrong – it’s about understanding the full picture.
And if you’re serious about understanding the complexities of politics, especially geopolitics, I highly recommend watching this talk at UCLA with John Mearsheimer and Jeffrey Sachs.
It’s a deep dive into how foreign policy, power struggles, and the so-called "deep state" influence global events. I won’t go into all the details here, but it really made me rethink how much of what we hear is shaped by larger forces at play. If you want to break out of the binary box and start understanding how things actually work, this is a game-changer.
Another great resource is the Lex Fridman Podcast, where he hosts researchers, thinkers, and experts from various fields, including politics. It’s not just about taking one perspective; it's about hearing multiple viewpoints and piecing together your own understanding of the world. These aren’t the kind of discussions you’ll find in a 30-second social media clip. They’re long, in-depth, and force you to engage with complex ideas – exactly the kind of stuff that helps you grow beyond the soundbites.
Remember that video analogy about punching at waves? Sometimes, the most impactful change happens not by reacting to every wave but by stepping back, observing, and making deliberate, thoughtful decisions. Focus your energy on things that genuinely matter to you – your career, your personal growth, or ways you can positively impact your community. That’s where real change begins.
Self-Reflection
In the end, no one can force you to change your mindset. It’s a journey that each person has to navigate on their own. But maybe, just maybe, if you take a step back and ask yourself some tough questions, you’ll start to see things from a different angle. We all have the power to shape our perspectives and actions, but that growth often begins by recognizing that the biggest obstacle might be our own resistance to challenging ourselves.
Next time you find yourself in a political debate or scrolling through a sea of opinions, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself if you’re truly forming your own beliefs or just echoing what you’ve been told. And instead of just focusing on your own stance, try to understand how the other side arrived at theirs. Engage with the reasons, experiences, and thought processes that led them to their conclusions. It’s through this kind of genuine curiosity and empathy that you can start breaking out of that box.
