Yesterday I shared a Facebook comment as a Steemit post, and I really enjoyed the discussion. I think this could be a great way to market Steemit to our friends who are already on social media discussing interesting topics. If we can shift the conversations to Steemit (where I think they are more valuable all around), we might grow the platform a bit.
A few hours ago, a Facebook friend of mine left me this comment on a mutual friend's wall. I thought it was a great conversation and wanted to share it with you as well to see what your thoughts are on activism and actions which facilitate positive change.
Here was my friend's comment:
Luke Stokes - this might be too big a conversation for someone else's facebook wall, but what kind of activism do you do? I'm so frustrated, but I don't see how engaging in the kind of activism that my very liberal friends are advocating will affect change of the kind I want to see (less effing government LOL).I'm supposed to go to the march on saturday and, while I am sure that it's good to feel to connected to my community, I'm not sure that it's the best way to spend my time. I feel like it's all 2 sides of the same nasty coin. What do you do?
And my reply:
I don't see "activism" as others do. Often (IMO) it's just about making people feel better or about asking their rulers to beat them less (metaphorically speaking, of course). I recognize the true problem as a mental one. A problem of belief. People believe in authority. They believe in the results of authoritarian thinking, and that it's proper for human beings to rule over others (doesn't matter if someone calls it "government" or not).
For my part, I try to spread ideas and memes. Ultimately, the problem lies in the thinking of the majority of human beings. If that thinking changes, many of the problems we see around us go away and many new solutions become possible. So I write, chat, respond. I try to get people thinking critically and improving their epistemology. Frustration is understandable, but venting that towards the same old same old isn't very helpful, IMO.
This image reflects my views well. I talked about it here in terms of voting and revolutions, but I would include activism (as many understand it today) within that same realm: https://steemit.com/politics/@lukestokes/the-loop-why-voting-and-revolutions-don-t-work
What we can do is hold our friends and family accountable through relationalism (follow people like Sterlin Luxan for more on that). We can also educate ourselves on the very real evil that is the State which comes from our authoritarian thinking (follow people like Larken Rose for more on that). We can also learn and practice non-violent communication (one of my first posts on Steemit is all about that here: https://steemit.com/peace/@lukestokes/nvc-violence-is-a-tragic-expression-of-an-unmet-need )
If we can change ourselves, positively impact our families, our friends, and our communities, that will bring a powerful, lasting change to the world. Many argue that's not "doing anything" but those same people often don't recognize the problem is in the minds of people. And minds only change when they want to. It can't be forced.
Thanks for asking. It's a great question.
Oh, also, I promote technology ideas like Bitcoin and blockchains. I think those things could fundamentally reshape society for the better and more people should get onboard.
Her reply was great:
HAHAHA well, there's nothing more satisfying than when someone tells you what you want to hear.Every time I think about "traditional" activism, I get a little squeamish (same as when I think about volunteering - the kind that I was encouraged to do when I was a kid/teen) - because it has this sort of intellectual stink of being worthless, or at least a relative waste of my time... whereas what you're talking about - self-education, nonviolent communication, spreading memes & ideas through sharing my own personal experiences or others' - those actually feel good. I've had a few moments in my life where just sharing my experiences and philosophy has actually changed someone's life for the better... they've come to me and told me so... and I never felt that way about the big visible gestures that are being promoted right now. Post-election, there's been so much noise, it's been hard to hold on to my center. <3
Here's my reply back:
I've really enjoyed seeing people in person, getting text messages randomly, or getting direct messages via FB from people who have changed their thinking for the better via thoughts I've shared. That's super fun. I do think it works. It may not be flashy or sexy, but over the long term, it's our thinking that determines our actions.
She gave me permission to post this conversation here which is fitting because these are the exact conversations we believe can improve the world!
What do you think of "Activism"? What types of activism do you do? Is it helpful and if so, how?
