This is where I get into my “performative politics” spiel and make references to Plato’s cave https://twitter.com/chrislhayes/status/1359924707575943173

In short, there’s a lot of politics, particularly on this platform, that is about being seen doing it, or having those politics.

Some people on here feel the need to be seen saying the thing, or dunking on the thing, or criticizing the thing, in order to perform their own politics.

It’s like a color commentator saying he or she wants to see more “physicality” from an offense. That’s indicative of how they want to be seen — tough, playing football the “right way” — and not what the football team in question should actually do.

“Physicality” is a symbol, a totem, a performance of being — it has absolutely nothing to do with how a team wins a dang game.

Performativity is rife in our politics, particularly because social media encourages people to become their politics. You’re not you, you’re WE GOTTA STOP CANCEL CULTURE or TRUMP SUCKS. This is why we have so many conversations that nibble around the edges but don’t do anything.

Change is hard, but the art of performative politics is easy. Find a thing that happened, tie it to things you already think, profit. Performance can’t be won or lost, there’s no vote to be taken.

So we all wind up yelling at the shadows on the wall of Plato’s cave — “cancel culture” or something — instead of turning around and looking at the thing causing the shadows.

This is in part why I’m hosting The Argument — a podcast that tries to get past performativity and pursue actual discussions and arguments.

I don’t particularly care to perform for you. And I hope my guests don’t feel the need to perform their politics for me. That’s how we can do better.