Tag: power

What the powerholders do. Task: Maintain the status quo. Keep the issue out of sight and off the table. Control information. Deny the issue exists. Create myths and threats. Discredit the opposition. Appear to take action. Make minor reforms. Co-opt the opposition. From Bill Moyer’s Movement Action Plan.

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What the powerholders do and what the social movement needs to do.

2024-10-31

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Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The Strength of Weak Ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380. doi:10.1086/225469 Imagine, to begin with, a community completely partitioned into cliques, such that each person is tied to every other in his clique and to none outside. Community organization would be severely inhibited. Leafletting, radio announcements,or other methods could insure that everyone was aware of some nascent organization; but studies of diffusion and mass communication have shown that people rarely act on mass-media information unless it is also transmitted through personal ties (Katz and Lazarsfeld 1955; Rogers 1962)

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PR saturation and you.

2024-10-04

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Red Flags for Disruption Perpetual brainstorming Sessions that do not lead to any specific goal or next step. Strategy meetings that merely function as historic type critiques in the contemporary. Lots of “first date” type meetings with people, not a lot of follow-ups. Investing time & energy in actions at the wrong level or directed at inappropriate targets Sending comments to an agency or civil servant, outside a comment period or recognized process. Suggestions to contact elected representatives in a state you don’t live in. Boosting and promoting items and activities that are incongruent with the group’s current goals. Engaging in “food fight” controversy that goes nowhere and may serve to boost opposition framing. Disruptors or chaos agents Ingratiate themselves with leaders, key people, or governing committee members. Disrespectful exchanges with others, including overt verbal abuse or more subtle belittling Engages in gaslighting or tone policing. Disparages the already agreed upon projects of the group or criticizes activism generally. Remains mysterious in relevant ways that raise questions. References grandiose plans or extremely unrealistic goals. Talks of violence

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Red Flags for Disruption

2024-01-19

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all, commentary, letters to reps

Pennsylvania about to allow tire burning to make cryptocurrency.

2023-12-28

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all, commentary, essays, outdoors, scrapbook

Dear Public Officials: Stop falling for the myth of an irrational panicked public

2023-08-25

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Socialism for me but not for thee. The Elite Panic of Star Trek’s Prime Directive.

2023-04-01

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