Now that the Democratic National Convention is over, it seems the masses have no choice but to sit around and wait. Once November comes and one of the “extremist groups” wins the presidential election, life will return to normal and continue to prepare for the next election.

While the term “extremist” may have been modified and renamed to define anyone who simply disagrees with politics, we have all learned from experience not to bring up the subject of politics in casual conversation. And why should we? The unfortunate lower class and the unfortunate middle class should sleep easy, knowing that whatever the outcome, Microsoft and Google will continue to rule their lives.

I’m not saying that every single government agency uses Windows (and I’m certainly not implying that educational institutions rely on Google Workspace for data storage and classroom management), but the amount of time spent worrying about presidential candidates is probably bordering on the unspoken truth.

And what unspoken truth? Quite simply, the truth is that neither candidate will support policies that threaten their own financial interests (or those of their donors).

Goodbye, Palestine, and hello, artificial intelligence. The Harris/Walz and Trump/Vance supporters are all smiles, because from this distance it’s impossible to see what Americans face on a daily basis. Efficiency benchmarks and accepted vocabulary may be fun on the golf course, but tell that to a single parent trying to live their life while also providing for those who depend on them.

Thanks to our benevolent leaders, the solution to every problem is a combination of manipulation and distraction. Both parties’ tactics are visible and invisible, as their advantages are hyped, but their disadvantages are not. When even the lies are hard to swallow, turn to this ready-made resource that is sure to keep people from dwelling on a complaint for too long: Although the omniscient and omnipotent screen device was used as a medium for “positive” messages and “uplifting” stories for the last century, it has now evolved into a Pavlovian (and dystopian) masterpiece, excellent at turning things around.

Three years is a pretty long time when you think about it. Having recently sworn in to serve on the Greenfield Board of Health, I did what most people would have done under those circumstances: I chose a path that is sure to be met with opposition, namely regulating electronic devices. Hatred and disbelief are what I expected when I proposed banning people under 18 from owning personal devices, and that’s not as smooth as a gin and tonic.

“What the hell am I supposed to do if my kid doesn’t have a cell phone? Spend time with him?!” Good grief, I would never suggest such a thing. Broaching the subject of cell phone addiction in children means getting uncomfortably close to the subject of cell phone addiction in everyone else.

Surely at some point in Greenfield’s history at least one parent has raised a fuss because their child was not allowed to smoke cigarettes. Aside from the obvious similarities of being addictive and easy to hide from parents, cell phones and cigarettes both meet the criteria of violating civil liberties by restricting their use.

How and why such a regulation would violate the law will surely become clear in the months and years to come, as I carry this flag through the onslaught of AI minefields and teleconferencing stormtroopers. Ultimately, as with everything else, nothing will be accepted by people unless it meets the requirements (i.e., unless it is understandable to all).

Empathy and metadata may be all we have as we slowly approach that fateful November day when all the good will face all the bad in the final election. If you support Kamala Harris, is it so impossible that Donald Trump will use the metadata of his supporters and simply parrot back what they want to hear?

And Trump supporters, is it unrealistic to assume that Harris is just using tried-and-true Democratic promises to win more votes than her opponent? Dividing our country further and further is so much easier when you can trigger someone’s feed with a disturbing quote or data point about the “other side.”

Would turning off our phones make a difference? There’s only one way to find out. But first, did you hear what X said about? OMG!

Amhad Esfahani lives in Greenfield.