Can you stand up for what you believe in without participating in politics? Anti-career coach Danielle Roberts and political rule breaker Katie Paris discuss how to rethink power, work and civic life on your own terms. They explore how rest, community and meaningful participation can help you stay engaged in the issues shaping your life. (This conversation is part of “Idea Knock Down,” a series where two people with different perspectives take on big questions — one block at a time.) (Recorded on June 12, 2026)
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@cp37373
July 14, 2026 at 11:07 am
100% incorrect. Just because your system is screwed up and I choose not to participate in a rigged game, that does not mean that I’m failing in my duty as a citizen. Also, you cannot affect your local politics at all because they are already put in place. That’s why all across the country AI data banks are being approved while the citizens say no we don’t want this. The system has failed.
@agentsnorlson7913
July 14, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Amen. Theoretically, political engagement is important. In reality, you aren’t changing anything without the influence either family connections or an at least 8 figure net worth brings.
Thinking otherwise is pure delusion.
@explorerofmind
July 14, 2026 at 11:10 am
2 twelves or 3 tens is the perfect work-life balance.
@MrTranzformer1
July 14, 2026 at 11:22 am
@explorerofmind so is the grocery store Only gonna be open 2-3 days a week?
@explorerofmind
July 14, 2026 at 11:28 am
@MrTranzformer1, Is your grocery store only opened 5 days a week for 8 hours?
@TrainerAshNZ
July 14, 2026 at 6:20 pm
@MrTranzformer1 who goes to the grocery store any more?
@dontimberman5493
July 14, 2026 at 11:21 am
3 day work week? Let’s start with 4 and then talk about it.
@n.chabot1217
July 14, 2026 at 11:45 am
Living your life without paying attention to politics is like driving with your eyes closed. It’s gonna affect you whether you pay attention or not, so pay attention.
@agentsnorlson7913
July 14, 2026 at 6:39 pm
It’s more like driving with a car in motion that you cannot steer or otherwise significantly influence. If the edge of the cliff is coming, it comes whether you look or not.
@gr637
July 14, 2026 at 7:45 pm
Philosopher
@ThomasThomas-tx5yj
July 14, 2026 at 9:17 pm
I don’t think the car analogy holds true with politics. One person steering doesn’t mean much. It’s the collective steering that matters.
@xsystem1013
July 14, 2026 at 11:56 am
I don’t think we talk about enough that opting in doesn’t necessarily mean speaking out publicly. You can take a side on political views and make changes covertly in your community, by voting, etc. You can be anonymous or nearly. You don’t have to be loud to make an impact.
@ChaosSpectra
July 14, 2026 at 12:02 pm
That’s Benga !!
@tavdy79
July 14, 2026 at 12:12 pm
Re. opting out of politics, that is also something you can do only if you have privilege due to race, gender, income, etc. For most minorities, our existence has been made political against our will, so opting out of politics isn’t an option for us.
People who say they are “fed up with identity politics”, and vote for parties that demonise us, are either ignoring or ignorant of the fact that we are way, WAY more fed up of identity politics than they could ever be; that their choice to ignore or remain ignorant of the consequences for us is an act of incredible selfishness; and that voting to make our lives harder is only going to make identity politics even more of an issue for longer because we have no other choice.
____
Re. Joy as a form of resistance to oppression – this is why the queer community has Pride Month. The goal of homophobic and transphobic bigots has always been to force queer people to live in fear and shame, and be seen by others as less than, as other, as evil or sinful. As the antithesis of shame, Pride is both an open rebellion against oppression, and a cause for hope and joy.
@tvuser9529
July 14, 2026 at 12:24 pm
If you don’t take part in politics you deserve the politicians you get, for letting other people decide for you. If you try but fail to get your politics through, well, at least you’ve done what you can. Try again next election.
The population of a democracy, as a whole, deserves whatever politicians they get whether they use their vote or not, because not voting is just another form of voting, a choice to let others chose for you.
@TheZombie1984
July 14, 2026 at 12:25 pm
I think the only we can have a democracy is if EVERY POLITICIAN is limited to 40k a year salary and outlaw paid lobbying as well as PACS. Learn to live without money, learn that money should be a means to an end in politics and not the goal, THEN you can be allowed to lead.
@jorgep19651
July 14, 2026 at 2:02 pm
@TheZombie1984 that’s perfect. Especially since most only appear with the public during elections and disappear after they win or loose
@Jasonxbr
July 14, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Yes just ops out of any political media- social media- family or friends that imply no conversations about it- and especially dont participate in any elections and let the whole political establishment 😈🤡💀👻🗑🕳💩🚚🔥
@pt_goat
July 14, 2026 at 12:49 pm
The actual Greek origin of the word ‘idiot’ is specifically a citizen who refused to engage in public life or politics.
@gr637
July 14, 2026 at 7:46 pm
Someone paid attention to history too.
@ofirarg
July 14, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Its a mental health choice
@vortbio
July 14, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Could you not, with the Jenga?
@LaurenWeiner-us8sx
July 14, 2026 at 2:53 pm
Love this rapid-fire set up, and the conversation between two incredibly smart women making real change in the world. Brava.
@TrainerAshNZ
July 14, 2026 at 6:20 pm
100% All work places should have dogs
@TheNinjadelivery
July 14, 2026 at 7:24 pm
No, you can’t when every decsion being married effects an individuals living situation and how hard they struggle. Not opting into politics and becoming an informed voter is how we needed up in this mess to start with.
@gr637
July 14, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Life is too short to engage in politics, as it has become a total waste of time. Active disengagement is my choice. I am a much happier person.
@lucasgmolina
July 14, 2026 at 8:11 pm
Whatever you want broette. It’s your life. It’s my life. We live it as we want, we only get one anyway.
@yuuthinasia
July 14, 2026 at 8:30 pm
That’s my aunt Danielle 🥹🥹🥹