They were exciting to watch but I'm not sure yet if there's been any sustained positive impact. For sure, the Parasite Class™ learned plenty from the experience.
Time will tell. I thinksomething that must be remembered though, is that the vast majority of folks involved would never have seen themselves as activists in any capacity just a few months earlier. Also remember that it was brutally cold while all this was going on, but they had their babies out in it.
I suspect a few of the parasites had increased dry-cleaning bills for awhile.
I also think that Canadians got a whiff of something they hadn't seen or felt since Vimy Ridge.
But we are pretty naive. I would like to think it's not over
It's definitely hard to quantify what may, or may not, have been achieved.
My own opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that there was plenty of money and sufficient organization for a sustained job action (e.g slowdown or outright suspension of service). I think that would have achieved quite a bit and would have laid the groundwork for more, future, effective political action.
My dream is a general strike. If that can be pulled off... Lots of good things become possible. I believe the trucker action makes that a greater possibility. Some very good people involved in it.
You might be amused at a friend of my partner's comment in 1970; he called antiwar demonstrations "masturbating in the streets." I had no problem with such demonstrations, but this century I became aware that demonstrations seem to achieve absolutely nothing. They are all about feeling good about yourself which, as you point out, changes society not a whit.
And I'm not simply criticizing antiwar or anti-capitalist demonstrations, but all the damn walks to "raise awareness." We don't actually fix anything in our society, we're just always "raising awareness." And a more unaware society it would be difficult to find!
For me, I feel it's an offshoot of something that started with movies, got embedded with TV, and then became normal thanks to the internet. As Guy Debord discusses in his book, "Society of the Spectacle," we're now conditioned to choose images over reality.
It’s so interesting to hear this side of the story. It’s like listening to my formerly “hippy” uncle who now owns two homes and only smokes really good weed. I guess at some point we all take stock. Hindsight’s 20/20
That’s where I was going with that. He’s pretty cool, tried to change the world, had a family with his hippie wife, grew up, built his business, then returned to college in his mid sixties to finish his bachelor’s degree in social work. He was still on academic probation after 40 years. There’s some street crowd in that!
"Plus: That time I avoided arrest in Saks Fifth Avenue."
~
Oh ! Was that you ?
I heard you buyin' some nice handbags, for some nice ladies, on a 2 4 1 DAY !
They couldn't stand for kind-HEARTED & generous haggle.
Oh, what a hassle !
HAHA !
😂
I’d use self-serving and self-deluding captions like: “This is what commitment looks like.”
~
Whoa whoa whoa...
I believe, you're being was too-tough on yourself.
Maybe I'm wrong.
And maybe, you have refined & polished yourself, over the years, of Devoted & Dedicated Service.
Even Michaelangelo's hewn MasterPieces took some Time.
JUST sayin'.
That's quite a journey! Thanks for relating it.
In years past, I've often wondered if I was feeding into some aspect of the spectacle. The answer, sadly, is and was: yes. I cringe at the memories.
And we learn from them, too!
I am curious as to what you thought of the Canadian truckers, et al. last year?
They were exciting to watch but I'm not sure yet if there's been any sustained positive impact. For sure, the Parasite Class™ learned plenty from the experience.
Time will tell. I thinksomething that must be remembered though, is that the vast majority of folks involved would never have seen themselves as activists in any capacity just a few months earlier. Also remember that it was brutally cold while all this was going on, but they had their babies out in it.
I suspect a few of the parasites had increased dry-cleaning bills for awhile.
I also think that Canadians got a whiff of something they hadn't seen or felt since Vimy Ridge.
But we are pretty naive. I would like to think it's not over
It's definitely hard to quantify what may, or may not, have been achieved.
My own opinion, for whatever it's worth, is that there was plenty of money and sufficient organization for a sustained job action (e.g slowdown or outright suspension of service). I think that would have achieved quite a bit and would have laid the groundwork for more, future, effective political action.
An astute friend of mine wished they'd waited a bit longer to do this. Feels it would have had a greater impact. I suppose we'll never know
My dream is a general strike. If that can be pulled off... Lots of good things become possible. I believe the trucker action makes that a greater possibility. Some very good people involved in it.
Winnipeg 1919, Baby!
You might be amused at a friend of my partner's comment in 1970; he called antiwar demonstrations "masturbating in the streets." I had no problem with such demonstrations, but this century I became aware that demonstrations seem to achieve absolutely nothing. They are all about feeling good about yourself which, as you point out, changes society not a whit.
And I'm not simply criticizing antiwar or anti-capitalist demonstrations, but all the damn walks to "raise awareness." We don't actually fix anything in our society, we're just always "raising awareness." And a more unaware society it would be difficult to find!
You said it, Teresa! That's why so many marches are scheduled on weekends so no one actually has to miss work.
I wonder if this is an outflow of the cult of self-esteem? Chicken/egg?
That's a logical assumption!
For me, I feel it's an offshoot of something that started with movies, got embedded with TV, and then became normal thanks to the internet. As Guy Debord discusses in his book, "Society of the Spectacle," we're now conditioned to choose images over reality.
"a more unaware society would be difficult to find!"
* mic drop *
It’s so interesting to hear this side of the story. It’s like listening to my formerly “hippy” uncle who now owns two homes and only smokes really good weed. I guess at some point we all take stock. Hindsight’s 20/20
Wow, George, I certainly don't see myself that way but I will proudly say I never stop taking stock!
That’s where I was going with that. He’s pretty cool, tried to change the world, had a family with his hippie wife, grew up, built his business, then returned to college in his mid sixties to finish his bachelor’s degree in social work. He was still on academic probation after 40 years. There’s some street crowd in that!
Street cred *
❤