Moscow, Kate, AfD: The digital public could do a lot to shed light on many topics. But she needs more than ever: rules.
The art of pleasant small talk, i.e. amusing chatting about everything and nothing, is in danger of dying out. The weather was once a popular topic, but since the question of man-made climate change has come to a head and talk of it has become ideologically coded, anger about cold should be avoided, as should praise for warmth. A cheerful report about vacation plans leads to the question of transportation, and the comfortable exchange quickly turns into a bitter discussion about aircraft consumption. Even a small dialogue about football now threatens to degenerate into an argument about patriotism versus globalization. All you have to do is praise the French’s beautiful Nike jerseys and you’ll have the local patriot Habeck or change.org on your hands with a petition.