"The status quo is often remarkable violence rendered normal or mundane."- Was particularly struck by this line. Even on a small level, I think this is something that becomes very obvious to many of us during our lifetimes (and of course, as this piece points out, even more so in the coming years.) I was born into a relative amount of privilege, but as soon as a (long ignored by the medical establishment) chronic illness became more severe, I realized even more just how brutal the status quo can be even to those of us that are privileged. I share this story just to say that I think a lot of people fall into the trap of ignoring things because they think they won't be affected by them (I actually overheard some posh Londoner say in a cafe once that he wasn't worried about climate change because it would only affect poorer and far away countries, but that's another story for another day). Anyway, the point is, the status quo is really not working for anyone and I think more and more people (I hope) are realizing that.
Yet it IS working for the top tier, and that’s why it continues; also because they propagandize those who are NOT thriving with the status quo into believing that it could be WAY worse if x, y, or z changed.
Change is not radical enough, we need transformation. Any change must get us closer to the latter anything will return to business as usual. We each must take the long view and act on it.
what an amazing article, joshua. thank you for saying the thing. moderation won’t get us anywhere, and action requires radical ideas. thanks for giving labor baddies so much love, too ❤️🥹
I’ve been attending the Tech Workers Coalition Circuit Breakers conference in San Francisco this weekend. Your essay today aligns well with the energy I feel here, and the veritable determination to fight that I see in the actions, ideas, and hopefulness of the organizer attendees.
Does this apply to splashing tomato soup on a Van Gogh for the climate. My current view, loosely held, is that that's not a helpful type of radicalism. But I'm willing to be persuaded otherwise by a good argument.
This is amazing and exactly what I needed, thank you
Thank you for such kind feedback!
ditto!!
A very important article. I keep saying the same thing. People do want true change, not more of the same shit.
"The status quo is often remarkable violence rendered normal or mundane."- Was particularly struck by this line. Even on a small level, I think this is something that becomes very obvious to many of us during our lifetimes (and of course, as this piece points out, even more so in the coming years.) I was born into a relative amount of privilege, but as soon as a (long ignored by the medical establishment) chronic illness became more severe, I realized even more just how brutal the status quo can be even to those of us that are privileged. I share this story just to say that I think a lot of people fall into the trap of ignoring things because they think they won't be affected by them (I actually overheard some posh Londoner say in a cafe once that he wasn't worried about climate change because it would only affect poorer and far away countries, but that's another story for another day). Anyway, the point is, the status quo is really not working for anyone and I think more and more people (I hope) are realizing that.
Yet it IS working for the top tier, and that’s why it continues; also because they propagandize those who are NOT thriving with the status quo into believing that it could be WAY worse if x, y, or z changed.
🎯🎯🎯
Change is not radical enough, we need transformation. Any change must get us closer to the latter anything will return to business as usual. We each must take the long view and act on it.
Well said. “The status quo is often remarkable violence rendered normal or mundane.” This will stay with me.
what an amazing article, joshua. thank you for saying the thing. moderation won’t get us anywhere, and action requires radical ideas. thanks for giving labor baddies so much love, too ❤️🥹
Capital is incredibly radical (ok, reactionary, but you get the point). We are numb to it.
Obama bailed out banks not homeowners (which would have also saved the banks). Biden broke a railway strike. The government is Right, and wrong.
I’ve been attending the Tech Workers Coalition Circuit Breakers conference in San Francisco this weekend. Your essay today aligns well with the energy I feel here, and the veritable determination to fight that I see in the actions, ideas, and hopefulness of the organizer attendees.
yesyesyes!! radicality is absolutely a necessity; this is such a well written and necessary piece
Would my ambitions for North America be considered radical?
HELL👏YES 👏
Does this apply to splashing tomato soup on a Van Gogh for the climate. My current view, loosely held, is that that's not a helpful type of radicalism. But I'm willing to be persuaded otherwise by a good argument.