The stars out here are amazing. They're so bright - you get lost, it's amazing.
It's just so refreshing to realize that we're not lonely - that there's so much, and we can see it. I want to move to Colorado and dream in the woods. Damn you, amazing stars, amazing ideas of ageless, fearful beauty. Such depth, it's a constant freefall.
Arizona, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming...beautiful skies, I want to watch you watch me.
28 December 2011
22 December 2011
Self Organization
Self-organization...self-organized...self-organizing.
Why do we self-organize? I understand...I think. We need to organize as humans so that we may become more powerful and capable then any of us are as individuals.
It's a real lesson to be among the Occupy democracy, in terms of self-organization.
If set in a completely random group of people, it's never clear who will dominate that group's conversation. The person who is loudest? The person who is biggest? The person who most accurately reflects the opinions of the majority of the group's members?
Someone from #occupyDC tweeted today about how tiring revolution is. Fighting the complacent and powerful system, no matter where it is or what it indoctrinates, is so hard. Fighting the fighters of the system is even harder.
How do we self-organize?
As Occupy, we come together agreeing on certain democracy-promoting rules/guidelines, reminiscent of grade school: Wait Your Turn, We Should Do Our Best To Make Sure Everyone Is Happy With All Decisions, and Have Respect For The People That You May Try To Bum A Cig Off Of In 10 Minutes. Basic, basic rules.
And how are we self-organizing from these rules of no organization? Well, first, there are committees. In theory, people can get more involved with particular aspects of the movement that they care about, in a smaller democratic mini-system. No one gets paid, so passion is strongly encouraged.
There aren't super-strong leaders in the camp, so far. There are people that are more action-oriented and their Occupy is a philosophical one, some people are looking to meet like-minded people and enjoy that company, some people are there to be intense in an acceptable setting - Because there are no strong 'goals' for the moment, no one can prove themselves better at this movement than anyone else - hence, no super-strong leaders. Maybe there haven't been personalities big enough to co-opt the movement into a singularity, a school of fish.
It's a difficult fine line. Must we identify? And, at what point in the process of something like this do we identify?
There's a critter in the ceiling. Eep, I said it - I admitted to it so now I can't pretend that it doesn't exist. *Sigh* It does.
ANYway, I think it's just a squirrel. They're bigger than rats and muuuuch bigger than mice, but I've never seen their poop and they don't seem as menacing, for some reason.
BUT.
I just imagined this squirrel as being my Upstairs Conservative Representative Neighbor. And I just got a weird image of his balding head on top of a large spider-body. Just peering down through my air vent in the dining room. Just lookin' at me. With a fierce, creepy grin.
Why do we self-organize? I understand...I think. We need to organize as humans so that we may become more powerful and capable then any of us are as individuals.
It's a real lesson to be among the Occupy democracy, in terms of self-organization.
If set in a completely random group of people, it's never clear who will dominate that group's conversation. The person who is loudest? The person who is biggest? The person who most accurately reflects the opinions of the majority of the group's members?
Someone from #occupyDC tweeted today about how tiring revolution is. Fighting the complacent and powerful system, no matter where it is or what it indoctrinates, is so hard. Fighting the fighters of the system is even harder.
How do we self-organize?
As Occupy, we come together agreeing on certain democracy-promoting rules/guidelines, reminiscent of grade school: Wait Your Turn, We Should Do Our Best To Make Sure Everyone Is Happy With All Decisions, and Have Respect For The People That You May Try To Bum A Cig Off Of In 10 Minutes. Basic, basic rules.
And how are we self-organizing from these rules of no organization? Well, first, there are committees. In theory, people can get more involved with particular aspects of the movement that they care about, in a smaller democratic mini-system. No one gets paid, so passion is strongly encouraged.
There aren't super-strong leaders in the camp, so far. There are people that are more action-oriented and their Occupy is a philosophical one, some people are looking to meet like-minded people and enjoy that company, some people are there to be intense in an acceptable setting - Because there are no strong 'goals' for the moment, no one can prove themselves better at this movement than anyone else - hence, no super-strong leaders. Maybe there haven't been personalities big enough to co-opt the movement into a singularity, a school of fish.
It's a difficult fine line. Must we identify? And, at what point in the process of something like this do we identify?
There's a critter in the ceiling. Eep, I said it - I admitted to it so now I can't pretend that it doesn't exist. *Sigh* It does.
ANYway, I think it's just a squirrel. They're bigger than rats and muuuuch bigger than mice, but I've never seen their poop and they don't seem as menacing, for some reason.
BUT.
I just imagined this squirrel as being my Upstairs Conservative Representative Neighbor. And I just got a weird image of his balding head on top of a large spider-body. Just peering down through my air vent in the dining room. Just lookin' at me. With a fierce, creepy grin.
18 December 2011
What is choice?
It is complicated.
It is very, very complicated to me.
It may be a type of freedom. It may be that, if one has complete choice, one has complete freedom. So then, it might be that, if one has no choice, one has no freedom. And there must be gradiations.
What types of choices are there? There is a choice in the body, a choice in physical controls - where you are, what you are doing, what you are seeing, etc. And there is a mental choice - what you consider, what you think about, etc.
Then things get complicated. When you consider that the body may be nothing more than chemical reactions and Pavlovian reactions to regurgitated stimuli, then mental choices become less simple. Mis-information, forced lack of information, social pressure (real or perceived), the constant hounding of ads and the like may cause mis- or ill-formed thoughts, which may lead to inappropriate or misguided actions. People feel no need to rush into the streets to protest the deaths that the US facilitates in Egypt, even thought their money is paying for those deaths. People don't know, or are misled into thinking that other scenarios are possible, that we are the good guys, that we are not "them", that we are distanced from "them", etc. Misinformed mental choices lead to misinformed physical choices.
However, the human body is also comfort-crazy. The body is reluctant to change its patterns and give up an easy lifestyle. So, again, in my life I see people (that I love deeply) exchange an easy and complacent life for a dwindling of freedoms and a lack of real information or choice of information. We choose to be mentally ignorant lest we upset our physical stability.
Damn, this shit is as complex as there are people. Where do we go from here?
We already know the answers, we know what we have to do. It will cost physical complacency and comfort, but we cannot live with this shame any longer. It's the shame of all of us now, we cannot say 'we didn't know'. We can no longer say 'we were hoodwinked' (whatever that means). We can no longer plead ignorance, victimization or weakness.
We know, we choose and we are strong. Insurgo, insurgi, insurrectum.
It is very, very complicated to me.
It may be a type of freedom. It may be that, if one has complete choice, one has complete freedom. So then, it might be that, if one has no choice, one has no freedom. And there must be gradiations.
What types of choices are there? There is a choice in the body, a choice in physical controls - where you are, what you are doing, what you are seeing, etc. And there is a mental choice - what you consider, what you think about, etc.
Then things get complicated. When you consider that the body may be nothing more than chemical reactions and Pavlovian reactions to regurgitated stimuli, then mental choices become less simple. Mis-information, forced lack of information, social pressure (real or perceived), the constant hounding of ads and the like may cause mis- or ill-formed thoughts, which may lead to inappropriate or misguided actions. People feel no need to rush into the streets to protest the deaths that the US facilitates in Egypt, even thought their money is paying for those deaths. People don't know, or are misled into thinking that other scenarios are possible, that we are the good guys, that we are not "them", that we are distanced from "them", etc. Misinformed mental choices lead to misinformed physical choices.
However, the human body is also comfort-crazy. The body is reluctant to change its patterns and give up an easy lifestyle. So, again, in my life I see people (that I love deeply) exchange an easy and complacent life for a dwindling of freedoms and a lack of real information or choice of information. We choose to be mentally ignorant lest we upset our physical stability.
Damn, this shit is as complex as there are people. Where do we go from here?
We already know the answers, we know what we have to do. It will cost physical complacency and comfort, but we cannot live with this shame any longer. It's the shame of all of us now, we cannot say 'we didn't know'. We can no longer say 'we were hoodwinked' (whatever that means). We can no longer plead ignorance, victimization or weakness.
We know, we choose and we are strong. Insurgo, insurgi, insurrectum.
16 December 2011
Serfdom (not surfdom - not at all)
The people that run this world don't care how you or I live, they just care that we help make them richer.
I remember, in high school, learning about impoverished people in England and on mainland Europe who were called 'serfs'. They worked for a very selfish few - the king, his family, his lackies, his governments, and the local governments - without hope of cessation or a better future. And I also remember feeling superior to these serfs, thinking "Oh hell no, this would never happen today! We have rights and freedom and we're not stupid enough to let a few people have control of the rest of us!"
I also remember learning about Russia and the USSR. I always had the thought that those people just quit trying - maybe based on the stories of high alcoholism, or the pictures of very sad people. Or maybe those feelings were based on the Home Team propaganda of my teachers, parents and media. "Hey, look at them! They're weak and can't even buy blue jeans! If they cared, why would they just let things like this happen?"
And now, where are Americans? We are slowly losing our rights. We are losing our houses. We are losing our money. We are losing our self-respect. We are becoming serfs. We are becoming the masses that toil against their will under a select few. It's shameful.
Nothing short of a revolution will change anything. But as we become a more censored, more surveilled people, we're too afraid to lose the little that we have in order to fight. At this time, we have no one to blame but ourselves. 'They' are corrupt and should never have been tolerated or put in charge - we acquiesced to their corruption by ignoring it and following their political theater with rapt attention, as if it were real.
It's up to us, now. Wake up...please.
I remember, in high school, learning about impoverished people in England and on mainland Europe who were called 'serfs'. They worked for a very selfish few - the king, his family, his lackies, his governments, and the local governments - without hope of cessation or a better future. And I also remember feeling superior to these serfs, thinking "Oh hell no, this would never happen today! We have rights and freedom and we're not stupid enough to let a few people have control of the rest of us!"
I also remember learning about Russia and the USSR. I always had the thought that those people just quit trying - maybe based on the stories of high alcoholism, or the pictures of very sad people. Or maybe those feelings were based on the Home Team propaganda of my teachers, parents and media. "Hey, look at them! They're weak and can't even buy blue jeans! If they cared, why would they just let things like this happen?"
And now, where are Americans? We are slowly losing our rights. We are losing our houses. We are losing our money. We are losing our self-respect. We are becoming serfs. We are becoming the masses that toil against their will under a select few. It's shameful.
Nothing short of a revolution will change anything. But as we become a more censored, more surveilled people, we're too afraid to lose the little that we have in order to fight. At this time, we have no one to blame but ourselves. 'They' are corrupt and should never have been tolerated or put in charge - we acquiesced to their corruption by ignoring it and following their political theater with rapt attention, as if it were real.
It's up to us, now. Wake up...please.
12 December 2011
Occupy the Oakland
I think the dude that's livestreaming the video for Occupy Oakland's Port Shutdown is just trying to pick up chicks. I mean, he's still capturing the action so it's cool, but it's just a little bizarre. And kind of makes it look more like Occupy is the way that kids these days are meeting each other (seriously, some of these folks can't answer the question: "So, why did you come out to Occupy today?" If you can't tell someone why you are where you are, you're either part of some great SciFi mystery, you have amnesia, or you're an airhead.), which is cool, but not really...well, yeah, whatever. If you're there with the same zeal as someone else, fighting for the same cause, but you mostly just want to get laid...I love you, you're awesome. You're making the system work FOR you and I respect and admire that. It kinda turns me on...a little. Forget that bullshit I was spewing earlier, you win, man. I should try to be more like you.
Also, Mr. Stampypants upstairs, will you PLEASE take off your BOOTS MADE OF ANVILS?!
Also, Mr. Stampypants upstairs, will you PLEASE take off your BOOTS MADE OF ANVILS?!
10 December 2011
Know your rights, so you can easily identify the moment they've been abolished.
The news is never good these days. More liberties being violated. Less respect for The People.
Internet freedom is on the table (thanks, Obama) for restriction. (http://www.salon.com/2011/12/09/hillary_clinton_and_internet_freedom/singleton/) As a publicly-educated citizen of this country, I interpret the 4th amendment to include internet communications. It's doesn't say "a person's papers must be in that persons house" which, in modern terms, can be read as "the person's emails must be on a person's server, hosted by that person, in that person's house". 4th Amendment is below, enjoy.
Citizen's rights to liberty are on the table (thanks Senate! Thanks Obama!) for restriction. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html It's a really good read - I'm less and less shocked at the fact that I agree with Ron and Rand more and more. I've included a copy of the 5th amendment below, just in case you're not familiar with it.
Finally, a story on Russia today - a peaceful protest with between 25,000 and 100,000 people (BBC estimates at 50,000) is matched with 50,000 cops, to "protect the peace". Of course, they'll be ignored because Government Knows Propaganda Best. Eerily, this is #Occupy. It's clear that our government is no better than Russia's, and Russia's government is fucking frightening.
I wasn't really familiar with ANY of these Amendments before this year, aside from "Yeah, I have the right to yell FUCK YOU ALL in public" cuz of free speech or something. Like most Americans, I've been complacent in my ignorance, assuming that "these unalienable rights" were sacred forever and were to be taken for granted, so that I could just live my life and enjoy it.
#ows #occupyBoston #occupyLA #occupyDC #occupyWallStreet #occupyEverwhere
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5th Amendment
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
Internet freedom is on the table (thanks, Obama) for restriction. (http://www.salon.com/2011/12/09/hillary_clinton_and_internet_freedom/singleton/) As a publicly-educated citizen of this country, I interpret the 4th amendment to include internet communications. It's doesn't say "a person's papers must be in that persons house" which, in modern terms, can be read as "the person's emails must be on a person's server, hosted by that person, in that person's house". 4th Amendment is below, enjoy.
Citizen's rights to liberty are on the table (thanks Senate! Thanks Obama!) for restriction. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/29/senate-votes-to-let-military-detain-americans-indefinitely_n_1119473.html It's a really good read - I'm less and less shocked at the fact that I agree with Ron and Rand more and more. I've included a copy of the 5th amendment below, just in case you're not familiar with it.
Finally, a story on Russia today - a peaceful protest with between 25,000 and 100,000 people (BBC estimates at 50,000) is matched with 50,000 cops, to "protect the peace". Of course, they'll be ignored because Government Knows Propaganda Best. Eerily, this is #Occupy. It's clear that our government is no better than Russia's, and Russia's government is fucking frightening.
I wasn't really familiar with ANY of these Amendments before this year, aside from "Yeah, I have the right to yell FUCK YOU ALL in public" cuz of free speech or something. Like most Americans, I've been complacent in my ignorance, assuming that "these unalienable rights" were sacred forever and were to be taken for granted, so that I could just live my life and enjoy it.
#ows #occupyBoston #occupyLA #occupyDC #occupyWallStreet #occupyEverwhere
4th Amendment
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
5th Amendment
"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."
06 December 2011
Occupy structure battle
Occupy, occupied, occupying.
I don't know how I feel about yesterday's occupation thing. So...some folks built the skeleton of a wooden shelter overnight. The next morning, the park police asked them to remove it or get a permit for it. They gave them an hour to decide and start to remove it. A General Assembly was held, with some agreeing to dismantle the structure to preserve the wood and slow down a bit and the other arguing that this was baseless intimidation as they had erected a structure that was, to the letter, impermanent.
Anyway, I get there as the police have already roped off the area surrounding the structure with police tape and had just begun to push back further. 3 Mounted cops restlessly rearranged themselves constantly, which were keeping people alert while keeping their horses calm. It was a long, boring event. We all stood there (to make sure that the police weren't going to hurt anyone, to show support and to stand with the civilly disobedient) for hours. Eventually, barricades were set up (any who crossed were arrested), a police building inspector declared the structure to be "Dangerous" and, with the help of an armored personnel carrier and a cherry-picker, the group in and on the structure was arrested. Many arrested that day were released fairly quickly.
I don't know whether I agreed with the occupiers reasons for their stand. I agree that the police presence was disturbing and uncalled for. I agree that the subsequent blocking of many tents by the police was an infringement on the rights of those living in them. I agree that much of the police actions so far are ridiculous and that the ideals of the protesters are more than valid. I don't know, however, if I think that this was a fight worth fighting for. Regardless of whether we agree with a policy like this, it seemed to be a waste of a struggle. If we had deconstructed the building in compliance with the park police, would that not have shown our point of it's 'temporary-ness'? If we tried to work with police and waited until the park police denied us permits would that not have only strengthened our cause?
I just feel that there are going to be a lot of struggles against personalities in a group like this. There have been many people shut out by the government in one form or another and this seems like the best forum to them for airing their grievances. What's next? What do we do?
I don't know how I feel about yesterday's occupation thing. So...some folks built the skeleton of a wooden shelter overnight. The next morning, the park police asked them to remove it or get a permit for it. They gave them an hour to decide and start to remove it. A General Assembly was held, with some agreeing to dismantle the structure to preserve the wood and slow down a bit and the other arguing that this was baseless intimidation as they had erected a structure that was, to the letter, impermanent.
Anyway, I get there as the police have already roped off the area surrounding the structure with police tape and had just begun to push back further. 3 Mounted cops restlessly rearranged themselves constantly, which were keeping people alert while keeping their horses calm. It was a long, boring event. We all stood there (to make sure that the police weren't going to hurt anyone, to show support and to stand with the civilly disobedient) for hours. Eventually, barricades were set up (any who crossed were arrested), a police building inspector declared the structure to be "Dangerous" and, with the help of an armored personnel carrier and a cherry-picker, the group in and on the structure was arrested. Many arrested that day were released fairly quickly.
I don't know whether I agreed with the occupiers reasons for their stand. I agree that the police presence was disturbing and uncalled for. I agree that the subsequent blocking of many tents by the police was an infringement on the rights of those living in them. I agree that much of the police actions so far are ridiculous and that the ideals of the protesters are more than valid. I don't know, however, if I think that this was a fight worth fighting for. Regardless of whether we agree with a policy like this, it seemed to be a waste of a struggle. If we had deconstructed the building in compliance with the park police, would that not have shown our point of it's 'temporary-ness'? If we tried to work with police and waited until the park police denied us permits would that not have only strengthened our cause?
I just feel that there are going to be a lot of struggles against personalities in a group like this. There have been many people shut out by the government in one form or another and this seems like the best forum to them for airing their grievances. What's next? What do we do?
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