I often use gas prices as a method of opening the conversation to talking about the material conditions of the world and why things are the way they are now, warning them that the troubles are just beginning.
I’ve had like, three or four political conversations just over the past few days with different coworkers. I can talk about how the US is fucking over the world, how China has delayed a total economic collapse with their response to the war, and can even speak positively about Communism.
The conditions for a revolution in America aren’t there yet. But the seeds are being planted and the ideas are beginning to take root.