I think the discussion is becoming complicated, but I think my key points are this:
1. One can be apolitical by being socially apathetic towards the influences of other people. This describes myself: I am alabellist and as a general courtesy to other mathematicians (as a group in particular) allow them the benefit of the doubt that they would prefer me to not label them either. This is my approach to Grothendieck: I think it's perfectly consistent to have complicated views on politics, but to still remain apolitical in the sense that you don't try to propagate your views other than their inherent merits. Going to live as a hermit in the mountains is the evidence that I use for this; I haven't heard that he tried to lure other people into the mountains or forced an agenda on other people from his stay there.
2. Mathematicians are often an oppressed group of people, as are all scientists, sometimes become oppressive themselves and often have serious mental health issues or other social risks. For this reason one should approach other mathematicians with empathy. It also suggests to not judge people by their worst, but by their best. For me, the best of Grothendieck is not a political environmental crusader, it is a great mathematician with certain idiosyncratic tendencies for isolation and statements on politics. That does not mean that his actions have a political undertone in the sense that they try to exert influence without permission. Such actions to me are apolitical by nature; Youtubers are not all political, but I would have called them so if we were all forced to watch their channels.
1. One can be apolitical by being socially apathetic towards the influences of other people. This describes myself: I am alabellist and as a general courtesy to other mathematicians (as a group in particular) allow them the benefit of the doubt that they would prefer me to not label them either. This is my approach to Grothendieck: I think it's perfectly consistent to have complicated views on politics, but to still remain apolitical in the sense that you don't try to propagate your views other than their inherent merits. Going to live as a hermit in the mountains is the evidence that I use for this; I haven't heard that he tried to lure other people into the mountains or forced an agenda on other people from his stay there.
2. Mathematicians are often an oppressed group of people, as are all scientists, sometimes become oppressive themselves and often have serious mental health issues or other social risks. For this reason one should approach other mathematicians with empathy. It also suggests to not judge people by their worst, but by their best. For me, the best of Grothendieck is not a political environmental crusader, it is a great mathematician with certain idiosyncratic tendencies for isolation and statements on politics. That does not mean that his actions have a political undertone in the sense that they try to exert influence without permission. Such actions to me are apolitical by nature; Youtubers are not all political, but I would have called them so if we were all forced to watch their channels.