The Follies of Activism

Is there a more ruinous, and at the same time, more spurious behaviour than activism? I’m not sure there is, because beneath the romantic imagery of raised fists and revolutions lies the inevitable opportunism, provocation and mob mentality inherent in group action.

Activism is, after all, one degree or another of coercion. When it comes to manifest in its collective form, whether by march or boycott for example, it is by nature a menacing threat reminiscent of the lynchings and public executions of historical upheavals, such as in the French and Russian revolutions.

This is elementary common sense. If activism was acceptable, non-threatening and routine behaviour, it would have no sway over those in power. So, for the activist, rather than reforming herself and her own behaviour, or by convincing others through reasoning and debate, she demands the conformity of others on threat of protest, boycott or negative campaigning.

Beneath all that posturing is the threat of looming chaos wherever agitated groups coalesce. But I suppose that’s the point to begin with. Their arguments and compromise have proven so ineffective that they must seize attention and power by other means, namely, by posturing, making noise and impeding the lives of others.

And we should remember this before we give in to the seduction of group protest. When shouting down a speaker, when shutting down a meeting, when impeding traffic to make a point, the activist is effectively in the business of trampling on the rights of others, which seems to me paradoxical. This alone proves that much of activism isn’t about human rights at all, but dominance and power.

In the form of non-violent protest comes the vanity of activism, and the opportunities for self-promotion and catharsis it offers. So long as the gathering doesn’t devolve into sabotage, vandalism, or riot, activism hinges on being the locus of everyone’s attention, demanding from innocent bystanders their eyes, ears, hearts and minds. For the politician or celebrity, the corporation and activist alike, activism becomes a photo-op. For the serial rapist, such as Harvey Weinstein, it becomes a disguise, if not a feeding ground. And if all that isn’t enough to do it, the costumes, the placards, and the pounding slogans should consistently remind the innocent bystander of the spectacle of propaganda and public relations that passes before them.

Activists call this “raising awareness”, “consciousness-raising”, or “showing solidarity”. But the euphemistic language loses its soporific qualities as soon as we realize how mind-numbingly childish and dangerous all this behaviour is. The slogans scribbled in marker, the face-paint, the masks and costumes, the perpetual singing and chanting, gives an infantile quality to the grown-up issues activists claim to champion.

But one should be suspicious of activists from the very start, because they refuse to remind themselves and others of the more nefarious activists throughout history. If activism is direct, vigorous action towards a goal of social improvement, that would also include your average Islamist revolutionary, KKK Clansman, fascist and socialist dictator. Their goals, however disastrous, religious, or racist, were to them social improvements.

I’m not sure when or where the notion of vociferously campaigning and promoting oneself and one’s cause in public became anything more than what it is—annoying propaganda—but it became especially pernicious in the hands of history’s most effective activists: the Nazis. Their public displays of Nazi ideology and symbolism, culminating in their camp little marches, public displays of violence, and impromptu but unsolicited speeches, would help lead to their seizure of power. The Nazi reign is a staunch reminder of how far down the despotic road an activist is willing to kick the can for “social improvement”.

Indeed, there is a common enough streak of authoritarianism in our dear activists. If two competing factions of activists find themselves face-to-face, we can expect outbursts of chanting and yelling to give way to outbursts of violence, long before they give way to friendly disputation or social change. If one of their own strays beyond their ideological partitions, we can expect his excommunication and banishment.

But these are only a few of the litany of follies with activism.

In short, activism is the bread and theatre of extremists and mobs. We might do well to remember this. But how could we forget? The romantic portrayal of activism continues in song and media. Activism itself is now a thriving industry. It is applauded and encouraged by celebrity and corporate marketing. It is taught in universities. Activism is becoming the status quo, the orthodoxy. Activists carry their activist badges with honor and pride, and we let them get away with it.

LesMis

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

it is by nature a menacing threat reminiscent of the lynchings and public executions of historical upheavals

So activism is the same thing as public executions and lynchings? Cool story.

that would also include your average Islamist revolutionary, KKK Clansman, fascist and socialist dictator

So all activism is on par with being racist and un-American? Amazing.

So in other words, what you're saying is...



Gotcha. Activism is literally Hitler.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: LesMisanthrope

it is by nature a menacing threat reminiscent of the lynchings and public executions of historical upheavals

So activism is the same thing as public executions and lynchings? Cool story.

that would also include your average Islamist revolutionary, KKK Clansman, fascist and socialist dictator

So all activism is on par with being racist and un-American? Amazing.

So in other words, what you're saying is...

Gotcha. Activism is literally Hitler.

So in other words, what you're saying is, you don't understand English?

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

I understood you perfectly fine, what I read says that activism is akin to the Nazi's publicly executing Jews. The motivations behind Hitler killing Jews and people peacefully demonstrating about things they believe to be issues are the same.

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

I understood you perfectly fine, what I read says that activism is akin to the Nazi's publicly executing Jews. The motivations behind Hitler killing Jews and people peacefully demonstrating about things they believe to be issues are the same.

I didn't say that. That's a complete lie, or misrepresentation, one or the other.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: LesMisanthrope

it is by nature a menacing threat reminiscent of the lynchings and public executions of historical upheavals

So activism is the same thing as public executions and lynchings? Cool story.

that would also include your average Islamist revolutionary, KKK Clansman, fascist and socialist dictator

So all activism is on par with being racist and un-American? Amazing.

So in other words, what you're saying is...

Gotcha. Activism is literally Hitler.

Have to agree, the minute I read:

mind-numbingly childish and dangerous all this behaviour is

The same image appeared

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

The Nazi reign is a staunch reminder of how far down the despotic road an activist is willing to kick the can for “social improvement”.

Your words not mine.

I believe activism is very effective. Problem is, most people these days don’t know how to effectively protest.

The simple rule that should always be followed: You aren’t ready to protest until you can love the person you’re protesting against as much as yourself.

All these things that are protested against, racism, hate, classism, aren’t really who anyone is. Those are things we attach to ourselves throughout our lives because of fear. Until you can see the human being behind all those walls we attach to ourselves, your protest won’t be effective.

Love is the solution to fighting hate and ignorance, not more hate and ignorance.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: LesMisanthrope

The Nazi reign is a staunch reminder of how far down the despotic road an activist is willing to kick the can for “social improvement”.

Your words not mine.

Yes, those are the right words. Try refuting it.

originally posted by: underwerks
I believe activism is very effective. Problem is, most people these days don’t know how to effectively protest.

The simple rule that should always be followed: You aren’t ready to protest until you can love the person you’re protesting against as much as yourself.

All these things that are protested against, racism, hate, classism, aren’t really who anyone is. Those are things we attach to ourselves throughout our lives because of fear. Until you can see the human being behind all those walls we attach to ourselves, your protest won’t be effective.

Love is the solution to fighting hate and ignorance, not more hate and ignorance.

I can't say I disagree with this. Though I would suggest that if the British had heeded Gandhi's advice, which was to lay down their arms and give up, there probably wouldn't be much activism in the world.

The right to protest is enshrined in our 1st Amendment, so you can not like it all you want but protesting and activism is as American as apple pie. Anyone going on about using the 2nd to defend their freedoms is ignoring the fact that if things have gotten to that point then they've already given up their right to protest.

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
The right to protest is enshrined in our 1st Amendment, so you can not like it all you want but protesting and activism is as American as apple pie.

The right to peacefully assemble is.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

"School shootings and murders are a staunch reminder of how far down the despotic road a gun owner is willing to kick the can for "gun ownership."

Try refuting it. Same logic as your ridiculous thread premise.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

A.k.a. "activism".

a reply to: 3NL1GHT3N3D1

"School shootings and murders are a staunch reminder of how far down the despotic road a gun owner is willing to kick the can for "gun ownership." Try refuting it. Same logic as your ridiculous thread premise.

Just say "I can't" and go about your day.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

Activism is becoming the status quo, the orthodoxy

To the extent it has become the status quo, its influence is drastically reduced, no?

I'd liken a state of "corporatized activism" to the PRI of Mexico....the Party of the Perpetual Revolution. At the point that the Revolution is "Institutionalized" it ceases to be a Revolution.

I'd think that particularly in this current age of the new "Brown Shirts" v. Antifa activism has become......what's the word.........Inane? Staged? I mean....so much of everything is "staged" it all becomes rather passee.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

In short, activism is the bread and theatre of extremists and mobs. We might do well to remember this. But how could we forget? The romantic portrayal of activism continues in song and media. Activism itself is now a thriving industry. It is applauded and encouraged by celebrity and corporate marketing. It is taught in universities. Activism is becoming the status quo, the orthodoxy. Activists carry their activist badges with honor and pride, and we let them get away with it.

Activism is what is at the heart of democracy. It's so important that the founders of the US created the 1st amendment, in which the people not only have the right to speak freely about their beliefs/ideas, but they also gave them the right to disseminate those ideas through the freedom of press, assemble with like-minded people, which you call a mob, and take their "activism" to the government for redress of their grievances.

originally posted by: Krazysh0t
The right to protest is enshrined in our 1st Amendment, so you can not like it all you want but protesting and activism is as American as apple pie. Anyone going on about using the 2nd to defend their freedoms is ignoring the fact that if things have gotten to that point then they've already given up their right to protest.

What???

If i defend myself then i have already lost my right to protest

i think you may have a point but forgot to make it

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
a reply to: LesMisanthrope

A.k.a. "activism".

Activism:

activism | ˈaktɪvɪz(ə)m |
noun [mass noun]
the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change: growing activism on the abortion issue.

a reply to: LesMisanthrope

ac·tiv·ism
ˈaktəˌvizəm/Submit
noun
the policy or action of using vigorous campaigning to bring about political or social change.

I guess this means Trump is literally Hitler after all. He campaigned to bring political and social change to America. I'm sure he's executing Jews on 5th Avenue as we speak.

Your entire thread refutes itself. You are creating your own arbitrary parameters for what activism is by using the worst possible examples you can think of.