On Finding A Path Forward

Small Pockets Of Resilience & Resistance

   Electoral Politics Are Over: Always a symbolic sham, the 2024 election should put the final nail in the duopoly’s coffin of credibility. Harris supporters lost, and a hefty majority of Trump voters will soon see their savior is no such thing. Even the angriest people can only maintain such an intense emotional level for so long. 

   That stark reality means activism is the only remaining way to institute change, which is wonderful news. No more impossible dreaming that one of the parties of Wall Street and the war machine can do anything but slavishly follow the orders of their masters. It’s beyond time; hopefully not too late.

   Keeping Our Eyes On The ‘Prize’: Before looking at some of the many ways we can participate in purposeful change, we need to recognize the biggest, immediate barrier - allowing ourselves to be distracted. Today’s culture has created an entire population that now suffers from what can only be described as systemic ADHD.

   Except for those who have purposefully ‘unplugged’ themselves, we are a population that is being constantly bombarded with an endless torrent of disorienting stimuli. While the algorithms that control much of the content we see are sort of within our control, based on stuff we ‘click’ on, repost, etc. once they have figured out which bubbles we inhabit, little that doesn’t align with those inclinations is likely to cross our path. 

   Happily, once we have chosen a focus for our activities and have spent at least a little bit of time ignoring irrelevant crap, those same algorithms will help us retain that focus, helping us expand our knowledge and build our skills for the chosen tasks. For once, the intrusiveness of technology may turn out to be a positive. 

   Truths: In the past few years, there has been much discussion about what is meant by ‘truth.’ We have considered at least the following types: personal, objective, relative, and scientific. Some of the newest technology, e.g. AI, has made it virtually impossible to categorically prove or disprove much of anything.

   Therefore, it is absolutely essential that we rely as much as possible on our direct observation of results or the observations of repeatedly credible sources. The admonition - Pictures or it didn’t happen - is no longer viable, which like many other constrictions should turn out to be positive. 

   We Need Thousands Of Johnny Appleseeds: Along with the demise of electoral politics as a vehicle for progress, dreams of national organizations must also be abandoned as unsustainable, even if occasionally meaningful. There are two fundamental reasons for having such an orientation. 

   First, our small, community-based projects will need to have a close-knit core of members, people who are more committed to the efforts than to opinions on anything else. Positions on politics, the Culture Wars, etc. must not become ‘weeds’ that infest any of our ‘gardens.’ 

   A second, closely related reason to keep things ‘small’ is to enhance our adaptability. It has been shown time and time again that size inevitably leads to clumsiness, inability to make timely changes, and alienation of leaders from fellow participants among other problems. 

   Even heeding this advice will not guarantee success in every case. There are always unforeseen circumstances that affect our efforts, and that’s why strengthening our ability to adapt is so crucial. Multiple efforts with the same goals will provide concrete examples of what to do and what not to do. We must remain open to the work of everyone. 

   The Empire Strikes Back: Familiarity is not the only thing that breeds contempt. We need to be clear, crystal clear. At some point, the present holders of power will find it ‘necessary’ to attack our efforts. Every successful project we build, every time we demonstrate our independence from their ways of doing things, especially every time we show that their arguments about ‘needing’ personal profit as a motivation to act, they will have to ‘respond.’

   The history of this country is littered with examples, and they range from the construction of prohibitive legal barriers to outright physical violence and murder. We must be prepared for that entire range of responses from our would-be controllers. Yeah, some of us are going to die. 

   I know that sounds glib, all too casual a remark. Believe me, nothing could be further from my intent. Honestly, I have no idea how I would respond in a life-threatening situation, having been lucky enough to have avoided any up until today. I’d like to think I would be up to the task.

   So there we have it, a broad, general outline of a strategy. The strategy will lead us to a wide range of tactics, tactics that are dependent on local conditions of all sorts. Everything from geography and general climate to the specific population involved. 

   Some will fail. Some will be crushed. The hope we need to keep alive is that some will also not only survive but thrive. In the meantime, we should, no we must do whatever we can, no matter how ‘little’ it may seem to be, to head us in the most promising directions. 

   Thanks, again, Mr. Rogers: For those of us who, for whatever reason, don’t join in organized activities, there remains a wonderful alternative - helping out our friends and neighbors. Millions of us are already taking out their trash, mowing their lawns, doing their shopping, driving them to medical appointments. 

   Millions more are delivering ‘Meals on Wheels,’ reading to residents of nursing homes or to elementary students, building furniture for Habitat for Humanity stores, etc. The opportunities are endless. Please find one. You’ll be glad you did. 

   Finally, we need to be aware that many of the folks who will wind up doing some of our best work may do so without ever having any of the thoughts in this or any other essay. They will simply be doing what ‘feels right.’ I sincerely believe that every ‘success,’ no matter how tiny, can make us all feel good, will actually give us a positive physical sensation. Peace.