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Forum : Article Discussions : Principles of Activism 3: Head in the right direction

Monday
January 2, 2006

Principles of Activism 3: Head in the right direction by Joseph Rowlands

I've been asked many times over the years how I expect to get from where we are now to where we want to be. How do I expect to create an Objectivist world? I think they were expecting me to pull out a notebook with a timeline, some graphs, and a list of milestones, and titled "The Master Plan". Maybe they don't expe... (Read more...)
Discuss this Article (57 messages)

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 3:25am

Joe, Rand's ideas will become widely accepted only when enough people put those ideas into practice and demonstrate to others how well Objectivism works. And the people won't call it "Objectivism" but simply "common sense."

The good news is that cultural interest in Ayn Rand has grown significantly since 1995. I've seen it with my own eyes. Let's hope, for their sake and ours, that it snowballs.

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 10:25am

Joe,
I wonder how a campaign of small, yet concrete, actions would play out. The new year is a great time for this kind of thing. For example, I'm already driving my friends and loved ones crazy: "I haven't had any caffeine ... this year!"

What about a campaign to RoR participants to begin taking steps toward activism?

For example, a letter to the editor in the paper where I work challenges the city commission's recent enactment of "International Dadaism Month." It calls for an Ayn Rand/Day of Reason to be added to the city calendar. It is the first time I've seen Ayn Rand's name mentioned in the paper. I like to think that readers will look up Ayn Rand, or check out a book, or even just argue with the letter writer -- this often happens -- and bring about a discussion of why reason is important out into the public forum.

One could pledge, in January, to:
1. Write an article for RoR
or
2. Buy an Ayn Rand novel for somebody -- a birthday gift for a friend, nephew, etc. Tell them why it was such an eye-opener.
or
3. Write a letter to your local paper, like the example I cited.
or
4. Donate to RoR or an objectivist site of your preference.
or
5. Start a group at meetup.com. Luke Setzer has written about this.

People could report at the end of the month what they've done. Voluntary participation, of course.

Granted, this is simplistic, and I'm a novice. Many RoR participants are way ahead of this. But I like the idea in the time of resolutions to think specifically about how to "aid the cause."

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 12:12pm

3. Write a letter to your local paper, like the example I cited.

This is a great idea, Christy.

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 12:34pm

Good points, Joe. I'd say it like this ...

We know the best direction to travel in, just not the best mode or means to get there (that will only be know from hindsight). It's kind of like looking up and recognizing the finish line -- instead of down at each of the footsteps that carry you there.

Ed

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 1:43pm

I have noticed that the polar ends of the culture -- left and right -- know how to work the media to their advantage, especially regarding letter-writing campaigns to media and political recipients. I don't know if that is a path we want to emulate, though. I always wonder how much net impact these campaigns actually have versus how much of it amounts to "feel good" action so people can feel like they are "doing something."

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 3:46pm

>Just start heading in the right direction. You don't need to know the full route to move closer to your goal. You just have to figure out where you're going and be able to tell if you're getting closer or not. [Joe]
> I have noticed that the polar ends of the culture -- left and right -- know how to work the media [Luke]

It's important to study the successful movements, historic activism, the spread of ideas when one is trying to spread ideas on an organized or sustained scale. Yes, you don't want to wait for an ideal, perfect plan (part of which will emerge from your experience). But a complete lack of study or knowledge of what has and has not worked in the past is like wearing a blindfold.

Phil

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 4:00pm

Phil that last post was great. I sanctioned it and reflected on why I spend so much time watching the christian networks and have a huge collection of Chick Tracts.

---Landon

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 5:21pm

Yes, Landon, I agree and sanctioned Phil's post also. I think we need some Atlas Tracts!

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 9:43pm

Here's a look at what you're up against:

http://www.thecre.com/

For "regulatory effectiveness" read "social engineering", that is, the opposite of individuals thinking for themselves. I'm certain these people laugh at any potential threat the any "objectivist" organization is to their future plans. Sorry to be so pessimistic but I read this stuff and it just oozes confidence that one way or another they will always manage to implement their "plans". Propaganda,("Regulation by information") judicial fiat (Regulation by litigation"), theft (Regulation by appropriation) no problem. The ball keeps rolling along. Not getting what you want out of your stupid constituents? Call us up, we'll provide the template for your "end around". They won't know what hit them.

After awhile they'll get used to it. They won't even remember any other way than obey.

"Regulators" BAH!!

Monday, January 2, 2006 - 10:09pm

Lessons from the Toohey School of Thought.........

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 8:05am

Luke,
I think published letters are good watercooler fodder, and in our own feedback from readers, they're one of the better-read sections of the paper.

If there's a timely news element to the letter, such as the example I cited above, I think it has more resonance.

That said, I think there are issues played out too much in letters, particularly abortion, that aren't well-read. I've never seen anybody write in after a pro-choice or pro-life letter to say, "Thanks for your input. It changed my mind."

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 12:15pm

Commonsense from "Dr." Phil, alright.

Hey. Wait a minute ... An objectivist, self-help, local cable show? ... Might that work? ...

"Dr." Phil:
Hello caller, what is your question?

Esteemless in Escondido:
Well, I wanted to know if it was alright to feel proud of myself? Why do I feel guilty about that?

"Dr." Phil:
Well, your question is important. So let's take a moment to see where it is that guilt arises -- and what it is that guilt is for -- and how it is that various conceptions of guilt are propagated. Okay?

Esteemless in Escondido:
Okay. ...

The "Dr." Phil & "Mr." Ed Show -- is the best title I could think of on the spot, but anyway, what do you guys think?

Local cable TV shows are affordable.

Ed

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 1:42pm

It's not a bad idea, Ed, but if we're going to be in this together I think it better be the "Dr. Ed and Mr. Phil" show. I don't mind the degree I never earned but I don't want to be confused with the real Dr. Phil...and YOU porbably don't want to be confused with the famous talking horse from the fifties.

Let's work on it together... If your name and academic title are going to be first, you have to front the money...

:-)

PS, I hope I wouldn't say something as long-windedly three-pronged as this on a call-in show: "So let's take a moment to see where it is that guilt arises -- and what it is that guilt is for -- and how it is that various conceptions of guilt are propagated." Simplify, simplify.

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:02pm

I think we need some Atlas Tracts!

Give me time Luke ;)

(only half joking)

---Landon

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:18pm

Phil,

If your name and academic title are going to be first, you have to front the money...

Argh! [clears throat] Where are my sponsers?! Who wants their business advertised on TV?!

I hope I wouldn't say something as long-windedly three-pronged as this on a call-in show

Aw, Phil -- it ain't so bad. You'd have to hear me speak, man. You'd have to hear how I, with smooth, differentiating inflection and pause -- could make these 3 points both clear and inviting to just about any listener seeking insight. I use a lot of commas and --'s when I write. This is in order to carefully capture key points and keep them separate and distinct in folks' minds. The opposite of my style is, of course, Kant -- who'd use 37 words before getting to the first verb or noun!

No, I haven't read "How to Write Non-Fiction" yet, Phil (as per your, now, month's old suggestion) -- but it's on my list, I swear. I think we'd be a good duo -- often bickering with each other, but at the audience's delight. We'd bring Objectivism to life, man. Folks would have their favorite, sure. Either the oft-cocksure Ed who, almost ironically, speaks with a calm, soothing tone -- or the where-in-the-hell-did-that-profoundness-come-from Phil, who incessantly interjects to improve on Ed's engaging monologues!

:-)

Ed

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:36pm

Local cable TV shows are affordable.

Thanks to the Feds, they're free to produce and air, at least ours was back in the late 80's early 90's. It would be soooo easy (and a whole bunch of fun) to compete with the religious broadcasting making use of this service.

I'd love to get our old video tapes converted to something more media ready. Like DVD or something. They're not like the regular old VCR tapes, these things are about 30% bigger than those old things.

I would really get a kick out of broadcasting them over the net somehow. I'd have to ask Karen, though, and see if it's okay with her, if I can figure out how to get them converted first.

I wonder what kind of bandwidth is needed for that sort of thing?

We did our show out of Royal Oak Michigan, I think it was Comcast, but I'm not sure. We had to take some classes that were given for free from the cable provider, but it was really fun.

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:40pm

Teresa,

I'd have to ask Karen

Karen Ray?

Ed

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 3:50pm

This whole line of discussion does sound like a great idea overall.

---Landon

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 4:38pm

LOL, no, Ed, sorry, I'm talking about Karen Minto. She helped pull the show together and was a host along with another old member, Charlie Silver. I pushed buttons, turned dials, gave hand signals, and made sure Karen's hair looked fabulous.

I think you're thinking of Carolyn Ray! <g> That's funny.

Tuesday, January 3, 2006 - 5:22pm

Teresa,

I think you're thinking of Carolyn Ray!

Oops! Yup, t'was her indeed.

Ed