The idea of politics is just so uninteresting to me - I've never

Opening Scene
The room is calm, the soft glow from the lamp casting a gentle light across the table. Jack and Jeeny sit together, their mugs of tea steaming gently between them. The outside world is muted by the quiet inside, creating a peaceful atmosphere that invites reflection. The conversation has taken a turn toward something candid, a perspective on politics that challenges the usual narratives.

Host: The stillness in the room deepens as Jeeny looks at Jack, her expression thoughtful, before she brings up the quote that has been on her mind.

Jeeny: (softly, her voice reflective) “I came across something by Trent Reznor recently that really caught my attention. He said, ‘The idea of politics is just so uninteresting to me - I've never paid much attention to it. I don't believe things can really change. It doesn't matter who's president. Nothing really gets resolved. I don't know. I guess that's not the right attitude to take.’ Isn’t that an interesting perspective? The idea that politics, no matter who’s in power, doesn’t really change anything meaningful.”

Jack: (nodding slowly, his voice thoughtful) “It really is. It’s a bit disheartening, isn’t it? But there’s a part of me that understands where he’s coming from. Sometimes it feels like no matter who’s in office, things don’t change in the ways we hope they will. The big issues — inequality, climate change, social justice — they don’t get resolved just because there’s a new president or a new administration. I think Reznor’s frustration is with the system itself, not just the individuals within it.”

Jeeny: (smiling softly, her voice gentle) “Exactly. He’s expressing a kind of disillusionment, the idea that no matter how much we care, no matter how much we vote or protest, the system doesn’t seem to change. The same problems keep resurfacing, and it feels like nothing really moves forward. But I think there’s a part of him that recognizes that this outlook is limiting. It's almost like he’s acknowledging that while the system is flawed, giving up on it isn't the answer.”

Host: The quiet in the room deepens, as though they’re both reflecting on the truth in Reznor’s words and the challenge of maintaining hope in the face of systemic issues. The flickering candlelight adds a soft rhythm to their thoughts as they sit together in quiet understanding. Jack takes a slow sip of his tea, clearly processing Reznor’s disillusionment.

Jack: (his voice gentler, almost with a sense of resignation) “I think what’s hard for a lot of people is the feeling that no matter how hard we fight for change, we’re up against something that doesn’t shift easily. Politics can feel like a game of power, where the people we elect don’t really make the changes we need. But at the same time, I think we have to recognize that small changes can still happen — and they happen through our collective action, even if it’s not as dramatic or as fast as we hope.”

Jeeny: (nodding, her voice reassuring) “Yes, exactly. Change often feels like it’s slow or invisible, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Every movement, every small act of progress — even if it doesn’t feel like a ‘big win’ — is still moving the needle forward. We can’t expect instant transformation, but we can keep working for it, even if it feels overwhelming at times.”

Host: The warmth in the room seems to grow as the conversation shifts toward hope and action. Jack and Jeeny sit together, understanding that while disillusionment with politics is natural, it doesn’t have to lead to apathy. Small, incremental changes can still have a lasting impact. The world outside continues, but inside, they realize that change, though slow, is still possible if we continue to work toward it.

Jack: (smiling slightly, his voice reflective) “It’s a reminder that while we might not see the big changes immediately, it’s the little victories that matter. Change is often slow and messy, but it’s happening through all the small actions we take — and through those small actions, we begin to build momentum for larger shifts.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice affirming) “Exactly. Even if it feels like the system is broken, we can still make a difference. It’s about continuing to care, continuing to act, and not letting frustration turn into apathy. Every effort counts, even when it doesn’t feel like it’s making a huge difference.”

Host: The evening continues, but the room feels fuller now, filled with the quiet realization that while politics and systems of power can often feel frustratingly stagnant, change is still possible. Jack and Jeeny sit in the understanding that hope doesn’t require immediate results but a continuous commitment to action and progress. The world continues outside, but inside, they are reminded that even small steps forward are meaningful when it comes to shaping a better future.