If Music Could Talk

JennyB wrote: ↑

22 May 2019, 10:35am

There's something to be said about lying down in the street and blocking traffic (which some people did yesterday), but it just annoys most people. I dunno.

The activists here can correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't part of the point of that stuff is to annoy people. That is, it's less to persuade and win over than to demonstrate that we have the collective power and will to annoy and otherwise disrupt your life.

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

22 May 2019, 11:18am

The activists here can correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't part of the point of that stuff is to annoy people. That is, it's less to persuade and win over than to demonstrate that we have the collective power and will to annoy and otherwise disrupt your life.

Yeah, exactly. Demand leaders give in so your life can stop being interrupted, basically. It's a huge part of the logic behind the picket line. Grocery clerks (for example) don't need you to agree with them, they just need you to want to get your groceries uninterrupted and without inconvenience.

Flex wrote: ↑

22 May 2019, 11:26am

Dr. Medulla wrote: ↑

22 May 2019, 11:18am

The activists here can correct me if I'm wrong here, but isn't part of the point of that stuff is to annoy people. That is, it's less to persuade and win over than to demonstrate that we have the collective power and will to annoy and otherwise disrupt your life.

Yeah, exactly. Demand leaders give in so your life can stop being interrupted, basically. It's a huge part of the logic behind the picket line. Grocery clerks (for example) don't need you to agree with them, they just need you to want to get your groceries uninterrupted and without inconvenience.

Picket lines are one thing, but laying down and blocking traffic is another. I get what it's trying to accomplish, but I think systemic change can bet better done by pounding the pavement and canvassing for the right candidate. At least here in St. Louis, there are a lot of people who are "professional protesters" and do very little else. That's my big beef. Plus, I was very nervous yesterday about some crazy right to lifer plowing into the crowd with a car.

The problem is that elections only occur at certain times and even electing a candidate you like on the campaign trail is no guarantee they will accomplish their promises in office.

I think both tactics in tandem is the most valid approach.

Wolter wrote: ↑

22 May 2019, 12:24pm

The problem is that elections only occur at certain times and even electing a candidate you like on the campaign trail is no guarantee they will accomplish their promises in office.

I think both tactics in tandem is the most valid approach.

Good point.