While Hackers' Pub is a space for software developers and IT professionals, there's no mandatory rule that we must only discuss technical topics. I'd like to share some experimental thoughts from a perspective that is neither antisocial nor inhumane.

Nominally, discussing politics in social settings is taboo, and political aversion is widespread. However, our lives can never be truly free from politics. Policies that are implemented are direct products of politics, and the benefits or disadvantages we experience stem from political processes.

What Makes Something "Political"?

When talking with people around me, I sometimes avoid mentioning political issues, and in my professional sphere, I try not to align with any particular political stance. However, I believe that whenever humans are involved (and the same would apply to machines), the outcome can ultimately be considered political in some way.

We live in a society where even advocating for basic rights—women's rights, minority rights, workers' rights—is labeled as "political." Even the act of hiding what "appears political" can itself be a political act.

Building a culture that respects diversity to break free from the frame of homosocial and exclusive groups is, in a way, political. Similarly, either being unaware of problems or consciously trying not to see issues as problems is also political.

Even viewing something as political can be political in itself. Political aversion is widespread, but we need to recognize that even this aversion is political.

Even if I claim my life is unrelated to politics, someone might try to frame my actions as political, either jokingly or seriously. Even without intention, political colors can "rub off" on us.

Can We Really Be Free From Politics?

We need to pay attention to politics because it affects our lives, but for some people, it's about their right to exist or their very survival.

We must be careful not to unconsciously adopt expressions created by certain political factions to mock or demean vulnerable groups, even by mistake.

Many humor or viral accounts, while primarily designed to trigger dopamine, often embed political propaganda within their content. To recognize these subtle tactics, we need to stay politically aware.

Hating or filtering out "what seems political" doesn't make us free from politics. Right-wing fake content has been systematically produced for years on platforms like D*inside, and now AI makes creating fake content even easier.

We can't take content at face value—we must question the political intentions of content creators, the factual accuracy, the implications of the content, and the reliability of the source.

Even if you try to distance yourself from politics, even if it's an implicit agreement, you ultimately need to stay politically informed.

Conclusion

As someone who has managed communities without outwardly displaying political positions or forcing any political stance, I'm still a political person. I wonder, "Was the community I operated truly non-political?" As a person with political views, I believe I managed it at a level where the atmosphere didn't deteriorate. Increasing diversity among community participants could be seen as political, but such "political" actions can actually form the foundation for creating a healthy community rather than an exclusive one. That has been my experience.

As mentioned above, many things aren't that free from political implications. Unintended words or actions can be framed politically, and mistakenly adopting political byproducts can lead to unintended misunderstandings. If we're well aware of these dynamics, we can make better judgments. Therefore, we have no choice but to stay alert and maintain interest in social and political issues.