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The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

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Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#4

Post by eudox »

xwowsersx wrote: post #2

Ironically, while deriding "The Day We Fight Back" as having no strategy, this post offers none either. But I do agree it's important to assess our strategy to see if it's actually accomplishing anything.

What do you want him to say that won't get him arrested?

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#5

Post by mildtrepidation »

xwowsersx wrote: post #2

Ironically, while deriding "The Day We Fight Back" as having no strategy, this post offers none either. But I do agree it's important to assess our strategy to see if it's actually accomplishing anything.

I don't understand the assertion that, in order to criticize, one must always solve whatever problem is in question. It's the same kind of logical strangeness as "if you can't do it, you can't criticize it."

Criticism isn't always about "you're wrong and I'm right." Pointing out a deficiency can encourage discussion. There's no necessity to be an authority or have a foolproof solution ready in order to make relevant statements; convincing people this should be some kind of requirement stifles ideas and prevents the advancement and improvement that "hey, there's something wrong here" can put in motion.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#6

Post by xwowsersx »

eudox wrote: post #4
xwowsersx wrote: post #2

Ironically, while deriding "The Day We Fight Back" as having no strategy, this post offers none either. But I do agree it's important to assess our strategy to see if it's actually accomplishing anything.

What do you want him to say that won't get him arrested?

This makes no sense. Let's imagine that he does have some strategy proposals, but that stating such proposals would get him arrested. Well, if the fear of arrest is the reason he's not doing it, then maybe that's exactly why the "The Day We Fight Back" isn't as forceful as he thinks it ought to be. In which case he's no better than the activism he's criticizing.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#7

Post by furyofantares »

One prerequisite for change here is public support. Public support requires people to know and be reminded about the issue, and it requires people to know that other people care deeply about the issue and that it's okay for them to care about it too.

So I don't buy the common complaint that raising awareness is valueless. It isn't something you'll be able to measure tomorrow morning but that does not actually imply it is not valuable, just that we don't know for sure if it is.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#8

Post by mcantelon »

>Demand Progress, if after four years you are still talking about the same problems, don't you think your strategy might not be working out?

It's pretty common for any movement seeking significant change to take considerably longer than 4 years.

Re: The Day We Do Nothing Of Consequence

#9

Post by Tehnix »

You can criticize the article about no making any proposals itself, but I don't think that's the point of the article. I think the following bit, talking about the effect of such events as "The Day We Fight Back", sums it up pretty well,

> They make people feel like they've "done their part", effectively killing their willingness to get involved in any more constructive future efforts.

Overall, I agree with the sentiment of the author. That said, I can't say that I have any solutions either.

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