The Increased Politicisation of The Internet (And Possibly Popular Culture)

I was a reasonable active poster on boards around 2009 - 2011 (I think) and I really feel as if boards (and After Hours in particular) was much less political back then than it was now. It appears that politics has become so ingrained in main societal discourse today that we have no idea what else to talk about. I remember a decade ago After Hours was basically the forum version of Seinfield, very little of what was happening was political in nature. I know the "Current Events" forum was created to remedy this somewhat - so obviously other people noted AH was becoming more political over time, but even then it's not the same.

Society today has become hyper-politicised and I think it's damaging the integrity of many conversations. People are afraid to be light-hearted. Everything must be serious and everything must matter. Where is the banter? Of course this will be reflecting in posting trends and styles. It can presumably be linked to the increased centralisation of the internet also -- the less fringe and underground the groups, the more we must strive to discuss the lowest common denominator, and most things that people have in common begin in politics rather than obscure interests. Political engagement has today become some sort of secular worship and I think it would do us all well if we took a step back from such a mindset, I fear it will only divide us even more in the long run.