Good and important points in this piece. But I'd like to point out that WE ALL have the ball. We have agency. A lot more than we think. And we don't need to wait until there is a group or a movement to JOIN. Start living more lightly on the planet. JUST DO IT. If you decide to do it, others are likely making the same decision. And others will see that you're doing it, and will join in. It is contagious. Psychologists call it "peer influence" or "peer pressure." Yes, we are sheep. Use that for good.
Yes. Italy. Where after the huge demonstrations and a one-day general strike, the government decided to redirect a navy ship to accompany the sumud flotilla, officially to protect the Italians on those boats but of course it will protect them all--especially if other countries send additional ships. This is a game-changer for Israel, which was probably considering sinking all the ships--they've been on a roll of war crimes and impunity, and they can't let those boats land and deliver aid, but throwing that many people from all over the world, some of them famous people, in prison, and stealing their boats and the aid they carry--well that worked fine when it was one boat, but it's more problematic with 50. And when an official government vessel--one which, unlike the flotilla boats, is armed...they're probably trying desperately to strongarm Italian officials in private, into turning that boat around.
Yes, Matt, we have the same expression in the UK. The problem with using it here is that unlike a game of football, where there is one ball but many players, the economy is more like a game of cards, where everybody has a few (some have several decks worth) and it is the combination of the cards and the people that allow the game to work. But, who sets the rules - i.e. decides which card game we play?
In the economy, the rules have been set, and while we can affect things by witholding our cards, or only swapping them with certain people, we can't change the game that way. The big question is, how can we change the rules and play a different game, one that favours the ordinary person, and sustainability?
This is also why “let it rot” “laying flat” “quiet quitting” “4B” and other related terms are so threatening to the ruling class. If workers are totally demoralized and actively do the bare minimum to get by the elites would be the ones to suffer. I honestly think from talking to well connected people near the Capitol that the elites of society are really out of touch with reality and don’t realize they no longer have the ball
Good and important points in this piece. But I'd like to point out that WE ALL have the ball. We have agency. A lot more than we think. And we don't need to wait until there is a group or a movement to JOIN. Start living more lightly on the planet. JUST DO IT. If you decide to do it, others are likely making the same decision. And others will see that you're doing it, and will join in. It is contagious. Psychologists call it "peer influence" or "peer pressure." Yes, we are sheep. Use that for good.
Yes. Italy. Where after the huge demonstrations and a one-day general strike, the government decided to redirect a navy ship to accompany the sumud flotilla, officially to protect the Italians on those boats but of course it will protect them all--especially if other countries send additional ships. This is a game-changer for Israel, which was probably considering sinking all the ships--they've been on a roll of war crimes and impunity, and they can't let those boats land and deliver aid, but throwing that many people from all over the world, some of them famous people, in prison, and stealing their boats and the aid they carry--well that worked fine when it was one boat, but it's more problematic with 50. And when an official government vessel--one which, unlike the flotilla boats, is armed...they're probably trying desperately to strongarm Italian officials in private, into turning that boat around.
Yes, Matt, we have the same expression in the UK. The problem with using it here is that unlike a game of football, where there is one ball but many players, the economy is more like a game of cards, where everybody has a few (some have several decks worth) and it is the combination of the cards and the people that allow the game to work. But, who sets the rules - i.e. decides which card game we play?
In the economy, the rules have been set, and while we can affect things by witholding our cards, or only swapping them with certain people, we can't change the game that way. The big question is, how can we change the rules and play a different game, one that favours the ordinary person, and sustainability?
This is also why “let it rot” “laying flat” “quiet quitting” “4B” and other related terms are so threatening to the ruling class. If workers are totally demoralized and actively do the bare minimum to get by the elites would be the ones to suffer. I honestly think from talking to well connected people near the Capitol that the elites of society are really out of touch with reality and don’t realize they no longer have the ball