Reply To: On Tyranny Lesson 13: Practice corporeal politics
My apologies in advance for a long somewhat tangential answer. That is how my brain often processes. But maybe some of you learn similarly. Just for reference, I am a US citizen. The question about dissipated emotions caused me to look up what that means. That took me down a rabbit hole of looking up word meanings. Dissipation vs apathy vs acquiescing vs paralysis. If dissipation means to fade away and have less strength, then I think that is a real possibility and that it is in fact happening now. What I think happens is that too much information might lead people to shut down and not act from simple overwhelm. We have been insulated in the west for several generations. Thus many of us have not learned how to act or react to this particular set of circumstances. We don’t have a framework or playbook. I don’t believe inaction means that people do not care. But I absolutely agree inaction helps people in positions of power. It speaks to Chapter 1 on giving away power. In our case I think (cruel) authoritarianism is the end game.
On the other hand I agree that sharing information online is important and can motivate action. What I have learned on line has challenged me and led me to resist.
I think living online creates a silo effect, shielding us from other viewpoints. A recent drive to a day hike destination took me through rural farm country. A highly visual learner and observer I was moved by a scene from one of the silos. I imprinted the image in my brain: Extending from the open side door on the silo a chute emptied contents from the silo into very large truck. The truck would take the product to be marketed or processed. This represented taking information from the silo and distributing it widely to new places. Hopefully to places that previously lacked that information and to where the information might act as catalyst. This could be factual information or false information. In my mind the information represented facts and truth. But it could represent the opposite, and that has happened for many years. I know that silo may be an overused reference, but I was moved by what I saw.
The visual emphasized the importance of getting outside. I was literally on my way outside. Outside is where I am grounded. The scene encouraged me to think of ways to share information with those who need information.
I took a break from Facebook for about three weeks while I thought about what I would do. It was refreshing to be spared from the drama. Previously I only posted scenes from my outdoor hiking and backpacking adventures.
Since my return to FB I have tried to unsuccessfully online recruit others to become involved in the resistance. I have posted on my page opportunities to become involved. Yesterday I posted some information about the intended sales of our national lands. I think in the process of overwhelm the fact that our public lands are at great risk is getting lost in the chaos of orders. I have also learned that I need to extend more personal invitations to friends and family, which requires courage and getting outside my comfort zone. A few people have complimented me individually on my efforts. I don’t want compliments. I want to see people becoming more involved. Some are, but the effort feels like rolling a rock uphill.
In response to the question of do I think demonstrations prevent authoritarianism, I am mixed. I am visualizing that they will make a difference. I have to believe that they will. I do not know in advance that they will, but it is worth trying. We have too much to lose if we do nothing. I fear martial law, and until such an event were to occur I will use my voice.
In the past month I have attended one general protest against Trump and Elon, one science rally at my state capitol and a rally for saving our public Lands. I intend to be at the next big protest, which is April 5th. At the rallies I have met like minded people and been encouraged by strangers. At this point we energize each other just by gathering. I carpooled to the capitol with a woman much younger than myself who I had met on an activist page. We stay in loose touch to encourage each other. As a person with generalized anxiety getting out to rallies stretches my comfort zone. The more events I attend, the easier it becomes.
On the subject of solidarity, finding people who voted for Trump and who feel betrayed enough to protest is where I am stuck. I personally do not know that many Trump enthusiasts. That said, I believe in working together for change. Not to blame the Trump voters when they confide disappointment, but to use their disappointment as a catalyst to get them to join the resistance. In that way the solidarity might have a chance to grow. Common cause. The lesson from Poland speaks to that, as well as to never giving up hope.
My greatest passion is protection of public spaces. I will speak more on that when we get to chapter 15. Thank you for letting me join the conversation. I am a bit intimidated, as my writing is rusty and you are all so on point.
