When we didn’t know everyone’s politics

Marco Arment wrote about a world in which he didn’t know the politics of his neighbours. He just knew they were friendly people who helped him out, and he responded in kind. It sounds profound, at least superficially. I smile at strangers on the street, open doors for everyone, and help parents with their prams onto trains, all without knowing what their personal politics are. I greet my neighbours in the morning on the way to work, wave at the postie, and tip my hat to the guy who makes my morning coffee. Some may agree with me, some may disagree, but we all get along. Right? I mean, right? But here’s where I think he lost me: While privilege and power dynamics play a complex and unavoidable role in this, I don’t want to associate with any community that would insist on either of those. I’m going to be more candid here than usual. Bothsidesism doesn’t work on me. Quite the opposite. Marco and I get along easily with people in our respective countries because we’re middle-aged white…