Thoughts on Occupy $Location
I suppose I should write about it, since it's a pretty significant thing going on in my country. I do have thoughts about it. First, I am pleased. I have mentioned in person that to me this movement feels like the metaphorical frog trying to jump out of the metaphorical pot. I haven't tested it, but people say that the idea that if you put a frog in a pot of water and very slowly increase the temperature then you can boil the frog without it ever trying to jump out of the pot is false. However, the foot-in-the-door effect is a true effect found on humans, and metaphorically, it does sometimes seem like you can boil metaphorical frogs.
People, very much including other Americans, don't tend to have much hope for the American people. They expect them to be passive and ignorant, and to just let things happen to them. People complain that when Americans are upset with something they loot, rather than trying to do anything political. But now we have Americans trying to be heard in a political way.
I've been annoyed by some commenters on the web (a common problem of reading random comments on the web). I am reminded of the London riots, where people complained that that was not the right way to call attention to a problem and that people should have used non-violent protest. I remember a comment from someone about how they should have gone and sat and made their point, and if they weren't heard, then they should have stayed until they were. And I remarked that if you want people to engage in non-violent protest then you should make a point of teaching successful methods for creating political change in your schools so that when segments of your populace feel they need a method they are aware of them. People were citing all sorts of tactics that worked historically in various places, and I was thinking, and how do you expect the poor and less well educated to be aware of this?
So, now we have a movement that is sitting and staying and trying to non-violently make a point. And what do I see people doing? Objecting that these protesters aren't doing anything useful, and how can they expect this to help create any change?
That really annoys me, but I think it is helpful, because it is getting into the news. It is getting heard. And it is also encouraging people to think politically. That is important, because it might encourage some people to vote. The US has such a horrible turn-out for its elections. It also will likely affect the political conversation. We have a presidential election coming up next year, and we are already having debates and campaigning related to it. If you can make an issue be in the news, then you can increase the likelihood that presidential candidates will have to speak about their take on it. That can be very useful for gaining information about candidates. Also, if you can make it clear that a lot of people want a particular type of change, you make it more likely that politicians will do something toward that. Not necessarily much, but possibly something. Probably more than if you don't do that.
So, I think non-violent protest has a pretty decent historical track record and is a good thing to do. And I'm glad to see that Americans can be pushed far enough to take real effort to object. It's not easy protesting day after day after day. I certainly could not do it. I am glad there are people who can and are willing to.
People, very much including other Americans, don't tend to have much hope for the American people. They expect them to be passive and ignorant, and to just let things happen to them. People complain that when Americans are upset with something they loot, rather than trying to do anything political. But now we have Americans trying to be heard in a political way.
I've been annoyed by some commenters on the web (a common problem of reading random comments on the web). I am reminded of the London riots, where people complained that that was not the right way to call attention to a problem and that people should have used non-violent protest. I remember a comment from someone about how they should have gone and sat and made their point, and if they weren't heard, then they should have stayed until they were. And I remarked that if you want people to engage in non-violent protest then you should make a point of teaching successful methods for creating political change in your schools so that when segments of your populace feel they need a method they are aware of them. People were citing all sorts of tactics that worked historically in various places, and I was thinking, and how do you expect the poor and less well educated to be aware of this?
So, now we have a movement that is sitting and staying and trying to non-violently make a point. And what do I see people doing? Objecting that these protesters aren't doing anything useful, and how can they expect this to help create any change?
That really annoys me, but I think it is helpful, because it is getting into the news. It is getting heard. And it is also encouraging people to think politically. That is important, because it might encourage some people to vote. The US has such a horrible turn-out for its elections. It also will likely affect the political conversation. We have a presidential election coming up next year, and we are already having debates and campaigning related to it. If you can make an issue be in the news, then you can increase the likelihood that presidential candidates will have to speak about their take on it. That can be very useful for gaining information about candidates. Also, if you can make it clear that a lot of people want a particular type of change, you make it more likely that politicians will do something toward that. Not necessarily much, but possibly something. Probably more than if you don't do that.
So, I think non-violent protest has a pretty decent historical track record and is a good thing to do. And I'm glad to see that Americans can be pushed far enough to take real effort to object. It's not easy protesting day after day after day. I certainly could not do it. I am glad there are people who can and are willing to.