Everything Feels Increasingly Political. Navigating Conversations With People Who Have Different Politics - Uncut with Zara Seidler
Apr 10, 2025
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Zara Seidler, co-founder of The Daily Aus and a political science graduate, joins the conversation on navigating political discussions. She delves into how pop culture has intertwined with politics and the rising prominence of independents as voting priorities shift, primarily focusing on cost of living concerns. Zara discusses the pitfalls of relying on a single news source, and offers digital tools like 'Build a Ballot' to help voters align with their values. Most importantly, she shares strategies for engaging in respectful conversations with those holding different political views.
Political discourse has evolved significantly due to social media, enabling younger generations to engage and express political views more freely.
Constructive political conversations require empathy and understanding of differing perspectives, focusing on shared values to foster healthier dialogue.
Deep dives
The Intersection of Pop Culture and Politics
Political discourse has become increasingly influenced by pop culture, particularly noted during the recent U.S. elections and its ripple effects in Australia. The speakers discuss how understanding politics is not just limited to traditional media outlets but is being accelerated through social media platforms, where political discussions occur more freely among younger generations. Zara Seidler emphasizes that the engagement with politics is not new but is merely amplified by social media's reach, making it easier for young people to express their views and participate in political discussions. This shift also highlights a generational change in how political knowledge is consumed, moving from formal structures to more casual, yet immediate, social interactions.
Understanding Political Engagement in Australia versus the US
The conversation addresses the cultural differences in political engagement between Australia and the United States, primarily focusing on the mandatory voting system in Australia. The speakers argue that while Australians might not be as consumed by political debates, the requirement to vote leads to a different kind of engagement where citizens might vote without fully understanding the implications. They point out that the lack of robust political discussions in casual settings contributes to a general disinterest in politics. Zara highlights that without many discussions in casual family settings, many voters may approach elections uninformed, stressing the need for education and discourse around political matters.
The Importance of Education and Civics Literacy
A significant point raised is the lack of civics education and literacy regarding the political system in schools, which contributes to uninformed voting. The hosts suggest that many young voters, despite being politically charged, often struggle to understand the processes and significance of elections. They express a desire for accessible educational resources that break down complex political jargon and systems. By engaging with initiatives that simplify political participation, citizens can feel more empowered to partake in democracy without the fear of judgement for their lack of knowledge.
Navigating Political Conversations with Empathy
The episode underscores the importance of approaching political conversations with empathy, especially within families or among friends with differing views. Understanding personal experiences that shape one's perspective can foster constructive dialogue, rather than fostering division or anger. The speakers recommend focusing on common values and building from shared goals while accepting differing opinions respectfully. By embracing an approach of listening and learning rather than confrontation, individuals can contribute to healthier discussions in an increasingly polarized environment.
When it comes to politics, it can be particularly tricky to navigate political conversations with the people you love — especially when they sit on the opposite side of the fence. We have a very important federal election coming up on May 3 so we’re expecting these conversations to increase more and more in the next few weeks. Today we wanted to dive into how pop culture has become increasingly political, why the divide between left and right feels so extreme, and perhaps most importantly, how do we actually vote for what matters to us, beyond what’s trending on Instagram or TikTok?
Today we’re joined by Zara Seidler — co-founder of The Daily Aus. The Daily Aus are particularly tapped into what young people are asking and what they care about in the political landscape. Zara has experience in the political world and also has a degree in political science.
We cover:
How politics has become embedded in pop culture
Why there is a push towards independents
What the upcoming election actually means for us
Cost of living is the number 1 thing people care about now
The issue with receiving political info from just one source
Algorithms, outrage culture and how it’s impacted politics
How to have conversations with people who have different politics
