Get worse now!
I know what this country needs. It needs more injustice. It needs more oppression. Maybe if we're lucky those cops will storm our lines. Smash us in the head with batons. Maybe someone will be incarcerated and tried in a mockery of justice. Imprisoned for life or dare we even hope executed? Think of what it could do for the cause! The uproar of the masses!
Things need to get worse, much worse. We need internment camps. We need people pulled from their beds in the nights. Friends, neighbors, all those people who thought we were overreacting to things. I want tanks and stormtroopers in the goddamn street!
The evils of humanity shall awaken and we shall greet them laughing. Behold! Validation awaits us! Long have we foretold this doom. We are outcasts no more. Now we are embraced by the masses to march forth and fight back against our oppressors. Much have we sacrificed, friends gone, sons and daughters laid low in prime of life. Institutions shattered and the things we held dear naught but a memory.
I embrace this horror. For it had to get worse to get better. ----"Excuse me."--- If not for the injustice and bloodshed nothing would ever have---------------"Excuse me."----been......um...you there with your hand up, in the back?
"Excuse me, Mister Shouty uh guy, are you suggesting that we hope for bad awful things to happen to ourselves and our loved ones for the sole purpose of furthering a political agenda and/or enacting social change?"
Well....you make it sound like a jackass move when you put it that way. These things must happen if the masses are to be rallied.
"Yes, but shouldn't we still strive for justice and a lack of ...um ...doom ...stuff without thinking that martyrdom and pain is our only path. Isn't it a little selfish to take the tragic events of others and find ways to make said events suit your own means, and who's to say that such events will even trigger the reaction you were hoping for in the masses. Also, I'm not sure who you mean by the masses as we're all kind of in a crowd around your podium here. Doesn't that make us the masses? I mean, we're all kind of here because we don't want most of the things you mentioned, now we should hope for them?"
Listen, you have to look at the big picture, each time our opponent tightens their fist, more flock to our cause. We should rejoice at each stone cast by---
"Isn't that just a coping mechanism so that we feel better as the world goes into the toilet despite our impotence to enact change? Sure it may be that change can come from something bad and we may not help but recognize that, but shouldn't we simply acknowledge that dark thought as simply a byproduct of the human condition and move on? Do you really want those cops over there to beat us with batons and arrest us?"
.......allright smarty pants, if you've got all the answers, what do you think we should hope for?
"Robots. Giant 30 story tall robots with mechanical spider legs. Spouting fire and napalm to destroy all mankind. It's the only way the masses will listen."
I approve and endorse this message
This and precisely this.
You don't need to dive to the bottom of the sewer to climb out of the gutter.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on July 31, 2013, 01:41:08 AM
This and precisely this.
You don't need to dive to the bottom of the sewer to climb out of the gutter.
Just a random thought...My once-friend( we had a falling-out ) is an Egyptian-American.
He said that all his life, he's been hearing his relatives and other Egyptian people say "Someday we're gonna kill that bastard Mubarak."
Right now we have discontent...and if the powers that be are wise, they won't push us until we snap.
I don't want them to, of course.
But there's sociopaths making a lot of the major decisions in this country, and the thing about sociopaths? A lot of them like to see how much they can get away with and how miserable they can make their targets.
Great stuff, McGrupp! I agree completely. I sometimes catch myself thinking like that. It sounds so stupid reading it though.
There's not a single sentence in the OP that I haven't thought in my own head at one time or another, some as recently as a few hours ago with the whole Bradley Manning thing.
I think its a natural thought to have and not even necessarily a bad one as historically an overstep of authority can be a catalyst for change. But like the 'I want to solve the world's problems by smashing things with my fists', which is another perfectly natural thought, it's easy to get caught up in it. I know I sure have.
I heartily endorse and approve of the OP.
Quote from: McGrupp on July 31, 2013, 03:32:19 AM
There's not a single sentence in the OP that I haven't thought in my own head at one time or another, some as recently as a few hours ago with the whole Bradley Manning thing.
I think its a natural thought to have and not even necessarily a bad one as historically an overstep of authority can be a catalyst for change. But like the 'I want to solve the world's problems by smashing things with my fists', which is another perfectly natural thought, it's easy to get caught up in it. I know I sure have.
QFT!
Quote from: McGrupp on July 30, 2013, 10:06:10 PM
Get worse now!
I know what this country needs. It needs more injustice. It needs more oppression. Maybe if we're lucky those cops will storm our lines. Smash us in the head with batons. Maybe someone will be incarcerated and tried in a mockery of justice. Imprisoned for life or dare we even hope executed? Think of what it could do for the cause! The uproar of the masses!
Things need to get worse, much worse. We need internment camps. We need people pulled from their beds in the nights. Friends, neighbors, all those people who thought we were overreacting to things. I want tanks and stormtroopers in the goddamn street!
The evils of humanity shall awaken and we shall greet them laughing. Behold! Validation awaits us! Long have we foretold this doom. We are outcasts no more. Now we are embraced by the masses to march forth and fight back against our oppressors. Much have we sacrificed, friends gone, sons and daughters laid low in prime of life. Institutions shattered and the things we held dear naught but a memory.
I embrace this horror. For it had to get worse to get better. ----"Excuse me."--- If not for the injustice and bloodshed nothing would ever have---------------"Excuse me."----been......um...you there with your hand up, in the back?
"Excuse me, Mister Shouty uh guy, are you suggesting that we hope for bad awful things to happen to ourselves and our loved ones for the sole purpose of furthering a political agenda and/or enacting social change?"
Well....you make it sound like a jackass move when you put it that way. These things must happen if the masses are to be rallied.
"Yes, but shouldn't we still strive for justice and a lack of ...um ...doom ...stuff without thinking that martyrdom and pain is our only path. Isn't it a little selfish to take the tragic events of others and find ways to make said events suit your own means, and who's to say that such events will even trigger the reaction you were hoping for in the masses. Also, I'm not sure who you mean by the masses as we're all kind of in a crowd around your podium here. Doesn't that make us the masses? I mean, we're all kind of here because we don't want most of the things you mentioned, now we should hope for them?"
Listen, you have to look at the big picture, each time our opponent tightens their fist, more flock to our cause. We should rejoice at each stone cast by---
"Isn't that just a coping mechanism so that we feel better as the world goes into the toilet despite our impotence to enact change? Sure it may be that change can come from something bad and we may not help but recognize that, but shouldn't we simply acknowledge that dark thought as simply a byproduct of the human condition and move on? Do you really want those cops over there to beat us with batons and arrest us?"
.......allright smarty pants, if you've got all the answers, what do you think we should hope for?
"Robots. Giant 30 story tall robots with mechanical spider legs. Spouting fire and napalm to destroy all mankind. It's the only way the masses will listen."
MCGRUPP
PLEASE HAVE MY BABIES.
Also please for Bitter Tea project? Is perfect.
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on July 31, 2013, 04:12:09 PM
MCGRUPP
PLEASE HAVE MY BABIES.
Also please for Bitter Tea project? Is perfect.
Hey, wait. This is a trick to get me to take your teenagers, isn't it?
Will crosspost for Bitter Tea project.
Quote from: McGrupp on July 31, 2013, 04:43:45 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on July 31, 2013, 04:12:09 PM
MCGRUPP
PLEASE HAVE MY BABIES.
Also please for Bitter Tea project? Is perfect.
Hey, wait. This is a trick to get me to take your teenagers, isn't it?
Will crosspost for Bitter Tea project.
No, it's a trick to give her an excuse to break out The Crippler.
Run away. Don't look, just run.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on July 31, 2013, 04:46:41 PM
Quote from: McGrupp on July 31, 2013, 04:43:45 PM
Quote from: M. Nigel Salt on July 31, 2013, 04:12:09 PM
MCGRUPP
PLEASE HAVE MY BABIES.
Also please for Bitter Tea project? Is perfect.
Hey, wait. This is a trick to get me to take your teenagers, isn't it?
Will crosspost for Bitter Tea project.
No, it's a trick to give her an excuse to break out The Crippler.
Run away. Don't look, just run.
:lulz:
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 02, 2013, 08:28:14 AM
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Yeah, well, look at the USSR under Stalin before and after WWII, and tell me when it gets bad enough.
IT DOESN'T GET BAD ENOUGH.
Historical hint: With only ONE exception in history (Haiti), EVERY successful revolution has been led by the upper and/or upper middle classes.
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
And the GOP assholes are crowing "SEE? STUFF DIDN'T FALL APART", because A) congress wasn't targeted, and B) the country club still has plenty of booze and fat little boys.
People who rely on the heightening of contradictions to bring about a general uprising and do their work for them are usually woefully misinformed about history and the theory of rebellion. To me, it comes across as an excuse, a reason why one shouldn't act at this moment. And thus, the moment where the "public" breaks never comes, and they never do anything. Neatly absolving them of all responsibility. They wanted to act, but, well, Those People...
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 02, 2013, 05:41:44 PM
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
And the GOP assholes are crowing "SEE? STUFF DIDN'T FALL APART", because A) congress wasn't targeted, and B) the country club still has plenty of booze and fat little boys.
And then they wonder why the recovery is taking so long.
Oh, wait. No they aren't. They KNOW why it's taking so long: "Not enough austerity."
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 02, 2013, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 02, 2013, 08:28:14 AM
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Yeah, well, look at the USSR under Stalin before and after WWII, and tell me when it gets bad enough.
IT DOESN'T GET BAD ENOUGH.
Historical hint: With only ONE exception in history (Haiti), EVERY successful revolution has been led by the upper and/or upper middle classes.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
I absolutely agree with both. But i still don't know what i can do about it, except take part at some protest and point out to everyone i know, how shit the situation is and try to discuss why. but i can't see how this helps any more.
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 04, 2013, 04:56:05 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 02, 2013, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 02, 2013, 08:28:14 AM
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Yeah, well, look at the USSR under Stalin before and after WWII, and tell me when it gets bad enough.
IT DOESN'T GET BAD ENOUGH.
Historical hint: With only ONE exception in history (Haiti), EVERY successful revolution has been led by the upper and/or upper middle classes.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
I absolutely agree with both. But i still don't know what i can do about it, except take part at some protest and point out to everyone i know, how shit the situation is and try to discuss why. but i can't see how this helps any more.
Seconded.
It's like watching a horrible trainwreck in very slow motion- one reason why I tend to dodge the news a lot.
But the thing is? We're so atomized.
That and poor people don't ally with other poor people.
...I like to say that I didn't declare class war, class war was declared on me.
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on August 04, 2013, 11:03:59 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 04, 2013, 04:56:05 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 02, 2013, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 02, 2013, 08:28:14 AM
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Yeah, well, look at the USSR under Stalin before and after WWII, and tell me when it gets bad enough.
IT DOESN'T GET BAD ENOUGH.
Historical hint: With only ONE exception in history (Haiti), EVERY successful revolution has been led by the upper and/or upper middle classes.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
I absolutely agree with both. But i still don't know what i can do about it, except take part at some protest and point out to everyone i know, how shit the situation is and try to discuss why. but i can't see how this helps any more.
Seconded.
It's like watching a horrible trainwreck in very slow motion- one reason why I tend to dodge the news a lot.
But the thing is? We're so atomized.
That and poor people don't ally with other poor people.
...I like to say that I didn't declare class war, class war was declared on me.
I manage to stand reading the news by switching to science news when politics gets too depressing/horrifying. Somehow that gives me hope for humanity that we're not just living in a baboon society.
We
are atomized indeed but i see in some countries that when the poor people get to be an enough percentage of the population they start to ally and, for example, order potatoes directly from the farmers to bypass the expensive supermarket middle men. (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/25/25wiregreeceWEB/) So i stay optimistic on this one.
I'll definitely be using this quote on class war! :)
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 06, 2013, 05:56:22 AM
We are atomized indeed but i see in some countries that when the poor people get to be an enough percentage of the population they start to ally and, for example, order potatoes directly from the farmers to bypass the expensive supermarket middle men. (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/25/25wiregreeceWEB/) So i stay optimistic on this one.
That is the coolest thing i've seen in a long time.
Thanks for the tiny spark of hope for humanity.
Don't worry, it won't last.
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 06, 2013, 05:56:22 AM
Quote from: hylierandom, A.D.D. on August 04, 2013, 11:03:59 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 04, 2013, 04:56:05 PM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on August 02, 2013, 03:03:31 PM
Quote from: GrannySmith on August 02, 2013, 08:28:14 AM
I also usually agree with McGrupp's first post. I even have a little theory/fantasy that as soon as enough people get pissed off enough, we'll all push for a change/decision/action instinctively, much like ants act, e.g., when choosing a new nest. When they're enough that prefer that certain choice they just do it. On the other hand, in the ants example, one has to destroy their old nest first. Anyway, this idea has not properly formed in my head yet.
Agreeing with McGrupp I used to think this is going to happen to greece for example. Every year, month, things get worse and worse since 2009. There were some large protests, constantly small ones, though nothing seems to bother the majority of the population... How much worse does it have to get? I'm starting to lose my belief in this idea...
Yeah, well, look at the USSR under Stalin before and after WWII, and tell me when it gets bad enough.
IT DOESN'T GET BAD ENOUGH.
Historical hint: With only ONE exception in history (Haiti), EVERY successful revolution has been led by the upper and/or upper middle classes.
Quote from: LMNO, PhD (life continues) on August 02, 2013, 05:08:48 PM
The capacity a human has for continuous suffering is terrifying.
If it keeps up for long enough, it becomes the New Normal.
Just look at the sequester. What started out as a "punishment" for not getting budget shit together has become the BASELINE.
I absolutely agree with both. But i still don't know what i can do about it, except take part at some protest and point out to everyone i know, how shit the situation is and try to discuss why. but i can't see how this helps any more.
Seconded.
It's like watching a horrible trainwreck in very slow motion- one reason why I tend to dodge the news a lot.
But the thing is? We're so atomized.
That and poor people don't ally with other poor people.
...I like to say that I didn't declare class war, class war was declared on me.
I manage to stand reading the news by switching to science news when politics gets too depressing/horrifying. Somehow that gives me hope for humanity that we're not just living in a baboon society.
We are atomized indeed but i see in some countries that when the poor people get to be an enough percentage of the population they start to ally and, for example, order potatoes directly from the farmers to bypass the expensive supermarket middle men. (http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2012/feb/25/25wiregreeceWEB/) So i stay optimistic on this one.
I'll definitely be using this quote on class war! :)
They need farmer's markets!
It's really neat that the farmer didn't charge a profit on his potatoes.
BAMP