The article discusses the philosophical tradition regarding emotions in politics and how feelings of fear and anger can be exhausting. It emphasizes the importance of managing one's emotional responses to engage effectively with pressing societal issues without becoming nihilistic. The author expresses uncertainty about identifying when comfort acts as a balm versus an anaesthetic, considering personal experiences of emotional overwhelm. The ultimate goal is to constructively channel emotions to better support others and contribute positively to the world, rather than retreating into disengagement or overwhelming despair.
I think it's worth distinguishing I want to manage my feelings so I can help and live well and I want to stop feeling this way because it feels bad.
Political moments are not ultimately aggregations of feelings. The most pressing question we face together is not how to manage how we feel.
I worry there's something self-indulgent about this, as though we who aren't suffering the things on the news should nonetheless be spared the pain of hearing about them.
The trouble is we risk yo-yoing between these two points: either feeling so much of it is unbearable or, as self-protection, not feeling it enough.
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