Rebellion or something.

[Rococo Modem Basilisk]

[tyrannosaurus vex]

We have to buy everything from "Them" anyway, that's why we protest.

I have heard many versions of "pointing out the hypocrisy in protesters" and they all boil down to the same basic message, which is "How dare that slave try to run away wearing trousers the Master gave him".

Actually it's more than just making masks with cheap labor. I mean, that by itself is morally equivalent to broadcasting pirate TV or radio on frequencies owned or licensed by somebody else. What I object to isn't the physical act of making the masks and how that ultimately benefits the same entities who benefit from consumerism, but the fact that Anonymous, like everything else, is just another Brand™ to choose from. Another prepackaged, rebel-based motif with which to decorate your entirely docile, domesticated, non-threatening existence. Like anything that called itself "punk" after 1980.

Anonymous is now a product on the shelf, and though that isn't what it's intended to be and certainly isn't what it started out as, it has been effectively consumerized in record time. The picture sort of illustrates that point, for me at least.

[Doktor Howl]

We have to buy everything from "Them" anyway, that's why we protest.

I have heard many versions of "pointing out the hypocrisy in protesters" and they all boil down to the same basic message, which is "How dare that slave try to run away wearing trousers the Master gave him".

Actually it's more than just making masks with cheap labor. I mean, that by itself is morally equivalent to broadcasting pirate TV or radio on frequencies owned or licensed by somebody else. What I object to isn't the physical act of making the masks and how that ultimately benefits the same entities who benefit from consumerism, but the fact that Anonymous, like everything else, is just another Brand™ to choose from. Another prepackaged, rebel-based motif with which to decorate your entirely docile, domesticated, non-threatening existence. Like anything that called itself "punk" after 1980.

Anonymous is now a product on the shelf, and though that isn't what it's intended to be and certainly isn't what it started out as, it has been effectively consumerized in record time. The picture sort of illustrates that point, for me at least.

That's what Orton Nenslo was talking about.

[McGrupp]

[P3nT4gR4m]

That's not a park. It's an office cubicle with occasional rain 

[Golden Applesauce]

I wonder what they would say to each other if they ever met.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

We have to buy everything from "Them" anyway, that's why we protest.

I have heard many versions of "pointing out the hypocrisy in protesters" and they all boil down to the same basic message, which is "How dare that slave try to run away wearing trousers the Master gave him".

Actually it's more than just making masks with cheap labor. I mean, that by itself is morally equivalent to broadcasting pirate TV or radio on frequencies owned or licensed by somebody else. What I object to isn't the physical act of making the masks and how that ultimately benefits the same entities who benefit from consumerism, but the fact that Anonymous, like everything else, is just another Brand™ to choose from. Another prepackaged, rebel-based motif with which to decorate your entirely docile, domesticated, non-threatening existence. Like anything that called itself "punk" after 1980.

Anonymous is now a product on the shelf, and though that isn't what it's intended to be and certainly isn't what it started out as, it has been effectively consumerized in record time. The picture sort of illustrates that point, for me at least.

Actually, I think that's nonsense. Saying that it's been "consumerized" because the emblematic mask that was chosen for its symbolic link to the freedom fighter from V for Vendetta is now more recognizable as a symbol of Anonymous protest is blatantly ridiculous. It's like saying that protesting is consumerized because of the recognizable prevalence of red bandanas as protest wear. Red bandanas were already being mass-produced before people started wearing them to protect their airways from teargas, and Guy Fawkes masks were already being mass-produced before they were latched onto by protesters (which happened before Anonymous co-opted them, by the way). Anonymous is a tiny fraction of the market for those masks... and if it's more than a tiny fraction, then they are indeed a movement for the powers-that-be to fear.

Being "Consumerized" is what we call it when products are driven to market by a movement, not what we call it when a movement happens to pick something up that is widely available and cheap.

[tyrannosaurus vex]

We have to buy everything from "Them" anyway, that's why we protest.

I have heard many versions of "pointing out the hypocrisy in protesters" and they all boil down to the same basic message, which is "How dare that slave try to run away wearing trousers the Master gave him".

Actually it's more than just making masks with cheap labor. I mean, that by itself is morally equivalent to broadcasting pirate TV or radio on frequencies owned or licensed by somebody else. What I object to isn't the physical act of making the masks and how that ultimately benefits the same entities who benefit from consumerism, but the fact that Anonymous, like everything else, is just another Brand™ to choose from. Another prepackaged, rebel-based motif with which to decorate your entirely docile, domesticated, non-threatening existence. Like anything that called itself "punk" after 1980.

Anonymous is now a product on the shelf, and though that isn't what it's intended to be and certainly isn't what it started out as, it has been effectively consumerized in record time. The picture sort of illustrates that point, for me at least.

Actually, I think that's nonsense. Saying that it's been "consumerized" because the emblematic mask that was chosen for its symbolic link to the freedom fighter from V for Vendetta is now more recognizable as a symbol of Anonymous protest is blatantly ridiculous. It's like saying that protesting is consumerized because of the recognizable prevalence of red bandanas as protest wear. Red bandanas were already being mass-produced before people started wearing them to protect their airways from teargas, and Guy Fawkes masks were already being mass-produced before they were latched onto by protesters (which happened before Anonymous co-opted them, by the way). Anonymous is a tiny fraction of the market for those masks... and if it's more than a tiny fraction, then they are indeed a movement for the powers-that-be to fear.

Being "Consumerized" is what we call it when products are driven to market by a movement, not what we call it when a movement happens to pick something up that is widely available and cheap.

No, that wasn't what I was saying. It isn't "consumerized" just because it has a symbol, or just because that symbol is co-opted from mass media, or because it is mass-produced. It's consumerized because rebellion in general is now a brand. A subculture. Almost as easily defined and prepared for as it is recognizable. "Down with the system" is the new "Just do it." The net result on society is zero -- not because nothing changes but because those changes are gradual enough for the status quo to adapt to them ahead of time.

Protesters brought down a string of governments across North Africa and the Middle East, but so far their revolutions have failed to accomplish anything very impressive at a cultural level. In the rest of the world, these protesters have done even less. We amass in Free Speech Zones,  wave signs, make a racket with drum circles, get kicked and shot at by the police, choke on tear gas, get knocked over by water cannons, arrested, released, and then we go home and blog about it between community service assignments.

The revolution is a product, another group identity available to anyone who's too jaded to be a Wiccan. It's barely more dangerous than being a Goth kid was when I was in high school, and all the extra danger is to your own reputation and employability.

[Salty]

Part of the reason that is that way is because there are no alternatives.

Kids don't want to burn down Starbucks or turn over police cars, they want to go to college, live in a house, and eat food. Go to the movies have a drink.

The only way yo dismantle all of that is to burn it all to the ground, and nobody is willing to do that because they just want the world to be a nice place to.live.

[Doktor Howl]

Part of the reason that is that way is because there are no alternatives.

Kids don't want to burn down Starbucks or turn over police cars, they want to go to college, live in a house, and eat food. Go to the movies have a drink.

The only way yo dismantle all of that is to burn it all to the ground, and nobody is willing to do that because they just want the world to be a nice place to.live.

"What do you get when you burn down the ghetto?  You get a burned-down ghetto."
- MLK.

[tyrannosaurus vex]

Part of the reason that is that way is because there are no alternatives.

Kids don't want to burn down Starbucks or turn over police cars, they want to go to college, live in a house, and eat food. Go to the movies have a drink.

The only way yo dismantle all of that is to burn it all to the ground, and nobody is willing to do that because they just want the world to be a nice place to.live.

Right, they don't want to burn it down. That might get in the way of enjoying all the benefits of this evil system they hate so much. Nobody wants Asian sweatshops or blood for oil but let's not be hasty. Everybody wants an equitable world where justice is the rule instead of the exception, you know, as long as it doesn't cost too much.

[Salty]

Part of the reason that is that way is because there are no alternatives.

Kids don't want to burn down Starbucks or turn over police cars, they want to go to college, live in a house, and eat food. Go to the movies have a drink.

The only way yo dismantle all of that is to burn it all to the ground, and nobody is willing to do that because they just want the world to be a nice place to.live.

Right, they don't want to burn it down. That might get in the way of enjoying all the benefits of this evil system they hate so much. Nobody wants Asian sweatshops or blood for oil but let's not be hasty. Everybody wants an equitable world where justice is the rule instead of the exception, you know, as long as it doesn't cost too much.

Yeah.

I think my cynicism is bigger than yours. Justice is as illusory and meaty as love, man. It's something we chase but can never catch.

I don't disagree with you, but would ask:
Why should anyone want to burn down their world when a few greedy people are the only thing keeping it from being beautiful?

People want factories to work in. They don't want slavery.

It's like saying it's the fault of the legion of homeless are to blame for fucked up toxic mortgages. Sure they could not pay the bill.

WHY could they not? How did they get there?

[Doktor Howl]

Part of the reason that is that way is because there are no alternatives.

Kids don't want to burn down Starbucks or turn over police cars, they want to go to college, live in a house, and eat food. Go to the movies have a drink.

The only way yo dismantle all of that is to burn it all to the ground, and nobody is willing to do that because they just want the world to be a nice place to.live.

Right, they don't want to burn it down. That might get in the way of enjoying all the benefits of this evil system they hate so much. Nobody wants Asian sweatshops or blood for oil but let's not be hasty. Everybody wants an equitable world where justice is the rule instead of the exception, you know, as long as it doesn't cost too much.

At some point, you have to make the decision to fix something or scrap it.

Where are you in that process?

[Doktor Howl]

HAW HAW HAW

[Salty]

I would so work in a factory, to fill the gaps in income, given the chance.

There are no factories.

I'd open up a Guy Fawkes mask factory, if I could compete with the Big Boys.

That would.make BANK.