There’s this cultural exchange program going on at my university where I’m supposed to do a zoom call with people living in Kiev, Ukraine. The war will be mentioned as part of the meeting. Should I bs them or should I tell them that I don’t support their Nazi military and government?
Edit: I know someone from Donetsk who’s now fighting for the Donetsk People’s Republic. Should I mention him?
I have to disagree with you on this, honestly. Because most people who start “saying bullshit” aren’t looking for an argument and aren’t in a state of mind receptive to new ideas. In the case of a cultural exchange with Ukrainian people, I’m guessing most of them are going to be ranging somewhere on a spectrum between “pissed off” and “completely exhausted”, and when the subject of the war comes up, whatever they have to say is likely going to be more about venting their anger and/or just saying whatever gets to the end of the call the fastest than it is about looking for a rational political dialogue.
That is true, I did not think of that perspective. I agree with you.