I have learnt that it is wise to avoid politics on certain...

I have learnt that it is wise to avoid politics on certain platforms. Dividends may be zero, voting rights may be zero. I do my best work elsewhere and have done for over 40 years.
Nevertheless, the knowledge dividend here on HotCopper is peerless for those who know their subject.
As long as you dyor and filter the noise and bring passion to the science, then judicious tolerance of peccadilloes on politics is rewarded.
Politics is not a waste of time.
Everything is politics.
The history of science is political.
The key is in one's choice of forum.
This is not a political chat forum.
It is a stockamarket forum within which some people just can't help proselytising.
...as Kurt said "and so it goes"