The Second presidential debate is in full swing; and if you don’t plan to embargo that little blue “f’” square on your smartphone your in for a wild ride. As everyone knows Facebook is both good and horrible for a lot of things- checking up on exes, immortalizing hideous photos, keeping up with birthdays, and understanding the emotional inner workings of everyone on your timeline- fighting about politics might be the most popular.
If I had to take a guess, the sole motivator behind the “unfollow” button Facebook introduced in 2013 was due to ineffective political discourse. To no one surprise, our newsfeeds are constantly on the verge of combustion largely due to three key factors we go there to see: (1) the unfiltered thoughts and feelings of (2) everyone we’ve ever met, (3) none of whom are addressing each other face-to-face.
People: remember rule #5 in the presidential debate drinking game: “Fix yourself an Aperol Spritz whenever you’re forced to unfollow a friend on Facebook.” Maybe you want to drink 17 Aperol Spritz’s tonight, I don’t know you!
But maybe you don’t. Here are some helpful tips on how to engage in political conversations on Facebook without losing several friends or running out of alcohol.
1. Don’t engage at all.
Shocking right? Believe it or not, one of your possibilities is to actually do nothing! Just because it is on your newsfeed doesn’t mean that you have to become the moderator. But, if you just MUST say something continue reading.
2. Feel free to change the subject.
There is no room in your life for people who have different beliefs than you, and sure not enough time to hash it out. People have more to offer than just their political persuasion. There is nothing wrong with a swift subject change, or a simple agree to disagree.
3. Use humor to calm down a heated discussion.
If you’re uncomfortable with the direction the conversation is headed, a little light humor can go along way. Gifs are acceptable to use here.
4. Cite your sources.
Be rational and reasonable. Put your facts out there and cite your sources. Let them know that you are educated and well versed in the topic at hand. Do your best to keep your cool.
5. Educate yourself on the other side.
If you are really being rational, and still committed to this conversation with someone of the opposing view, the best thing you can do is put yourself in their shoes. Educate yourself about their political view.
6. Be the bigger person.
If this conversation has resulted in insults, name calling, and nothing to do with political discourse just stop. You are never going to change the mind of someone who has developed into assaulting your character, but you can hold your head higher.
May the odds be ever in your favor this election season.
