Activism and personal involvement in reality

Ok, so it's wonderful yet weird that I trust the people here on totjo more than I trust most of the people I know in real life. Maybe it's because I know people here won't ridicule me - dunno. Anyway, this is a copy of a post I made on my FB account, and I find myself feeling utterly self-conscious and weird about it. It came from the heart, but I don't know if... I don't know.
Noone on my FB friends list ever responds to anything serious I post, except once or twice to joke about what I said (and once to outright tell me to shut up). But by posting it here I open it up to possible discussion. At the very least I know that the people who read it here will take the time to consider it, whatever worth (or lack thereof) they decide it holds.

I just watched a great version of the play 'Waiting for Lefty' at a local Theatre and there was a great discussion afterwards about the play and the community and the issues we're all facing. It allowed me to listen and talk to people active in the world, and it sparked a little fire in my chest.

Anyway, thank you for reading. Love to see what people have to say - if anything.


So here's the thing - hardly anyone I know is interested in serious issues, or at least, they aren't interested enough to talk to me about them. It was great to go to the play 'Waiting for Lefty' tonight because for the first time in months I was able to be involved in a discussion about the issues this community, and indeed this country, face. I give the Imaginists Theatre Collective two full thumbs up for tackling issues that are too hot for any other theatre organization out there. I applaud them for being the premiere bi-lingual theatre in northern California. Brilliant, just brilliant.

At the same time though, it worries me deeply that the people I consider close friends don't seem interested in talking about important subjects, don't have any interest in being involved; can't find time away from partying to check into the real world for a moment or two. I find myself growing tired and old before my time, alone with my thoughts, no outlet for my emotions. I know that life is hard, some of you work yourselves to the bone daily just to survive, I know... I'm there too. We all have piles of shit heaped upon us every day, but that doesn't mean we can't still raise our voices in discussion, make ourselves known to our friends and our fellow human beings. Hell, I think the fact that we have to work ourselves to the bone is actually greater cause for us to come together and discuss the issues of our lives. If we simply continue to run, to hide away from the world, to let our lives sink towards nothing but survival - we have lost one of the largest parts of what makes us human.

I feel apologetic now that my rant draws to a close, for I'm not the sort of person who feels comfortable putting himself in the limelight (Ironic that I'm an actor, I know), but this is one of those rare occasions where I will feel unfulfilled if I don't 'speak' my mind. Since, at this time of night, I have no recourse for releasing my energy and thoughts other than the internet, the internet is where I must go.

I don't know what I'm asking you to do - mainly nothing. But just think for a moment about your life, and where exactly you want it to go. Then think about those people you know who have done nothing with their lives. And then think about the people who are actually unable to bring their lives up from the gutter. Just a moment of thought.

And one of these days I'll get to sit down and talk with you over a nice cup'a Joe. Maybe we won't talk about philosophy or politics, maybe it will just be about our lives... but it will be a slightly more honest discussion because we've both taken this moment to consider another's life.

You've brought up a very worthy consideration, Locksley.

First, activism and personal involvement by community participation either in our local communities or on the internet, both are just as "real", one as the other. We may see very rapid spread of ideas and possibilities, as well as hypocrisy and stupidity, owing to the 'almost) instant, worldwide communication that affords the internet. And the communication which gives rise to various communities situated electronically on the Web are as real as communities as those situated in (on just another level of "web") in some geographic locality.

Which brings us to Facebook. An anecdote : about four years ago, I was posting therein quasi-daily a quote by a philosopher which I would then comment on myself. It was for no other purpose than to share a bit of what I was thinking about. It was rare that it would get any comment feedback. Sometimes it would be just a quip of free-flow poetry ... Again, no comment. Actually, there was once or twice that someone would say : "What ? I thought this was Facebook." or one of my former teachers even accused me of trying to "pick a fight". Suffice it to say that Facebook is not the support, although it very well could be used that way, if people would, for a progress-growth oriented community service. And furthermore, it could be noteworthy to recognise that here et TotJO, we are a religious community. Our function is, from its inception, quite different to that of Facebook -- as different as any temple is from any agora ...

If you permit me to offer a piece of counsel : your Facebook post was a polite accusation. When we say on Facebook "hardly anyone I know..." and " ...they aren't interested..." or any other phrase wherein the subject is not oneself, this accuses everyone present or in the list of of something we consider a shortcoming. Jedi lead by example. In short, try to find a different way of saying 'this is wonderful, but no one I know is interested' because that is understood by most people as 'everyone I know is a useless twit'. Of course that gets badly received. It is a hard thing to do -- Socrates was the only one of us who has been successful at 'preaching' in the agora, and look what happened to him. Come off preaching sin and repentance like a rural Baptist minister at the marketplace and it is unsurprising that one gets told to "shut up". Without even getting offered a hemlock cocktail to make it all worthwhile ...

So, here's my suggestion : appreciate your friends for who, what and where they are. Appreciate Facebook for what it is, and TotJO for what it is. And if you really want to get something across to your friends in any of your communities, just lead by example (teach without words) and be more interesting than the 'party'.

A couple of years ago I was involved in a protest campaign against an internet filter here in Australia. The public face of the filter was fairly decent and just; new powers to prevent CP getting onto the net and then being able to track IP addresses to prosecute any attempts at viewing or uploading. On the down-low though, it was going to be used to further the agendas of whatever politicians saw fit, as well as blocking any pro-GLBT content, among other things that ought not be blocked.

I took part in the protest meetings and one of the two protests held in my state. The others in the campaigns were an eclectic mix of Greens, Truthers, Socialists and politically minded folk. There was a lot of arguing over ulterior motives and conspiracies. The average people were apathetic; they simply didn't care. Australians have a "she'll be right" mentality which justifies willful ignorance and cultural apathy.

In the end, the filter got canned because of the protests and the publification of the filter's actual content. Other activist groups are still active in my city, which as CARE or Invisible Children. I exercise a great deal of caution before exercising my sense of charity though, as there have been many fake charities and activist groups stealing credit card numbers via "taking names for donation" and whatnot.

Not as relevant to the Facebook part of the conversation, but just a personal anecdote relating to activism.

Locksley, I believe I know how you feel.

I've had some of the same issues on my Facebook page. I post something serious, perhaps political or philosophical, and few respond. There is almost a sense of having no friends at all despite my long list of "friends." I am often frustrated with the lack of interest others have in serious issues that face us in the world.

It is for this reason (in part) that I rarely post anything on Facebook these days. I've decided to focus my attention elsewhere. There are people out there that are anything but apathetic about the future of their communities. When I start to get frustrated over the unwillingness of my friends or acquaintances to breech serious issues I often seek out "strangers." One of my favorite things to do is to just sit in a Starbucks and "people-watch." While I'm doing that I immediately begin to pick up on others in the building that might be unresistant to a good conversation. As an outgoing individual that is genuinely interested in other people it can be a great feeling to just strike up a conversation with someone previously unknown to me. I'm often surprised by how willing some people are to open up and have a serious conversation.

Sorry for the tangent there...:pinch:

In terms of activism: I don't do much of what people might call "activism" but I feel that it could be very important that I begin to. I am the sort of person that becomes very energized by conversation about deep and far-reaching topics. Exchange of information and concern for what is happening around me motivate me in finding other human beings to talk with and find common ground with. The more I seek out seemingly random individuals the more I am reminded of how much we all have in common.

In short, "I feel you man, I feel you."

You are a light in the darkness, Locksley. You're right, most people don't want to talk about serious subjects because if they do they may find that they then have to do something about it. People are quick to talk and slow to act, so most people just don't talk and therefore save themselves the trouble.

I wish I had something comforting to say other than "I know how you feel", but it's true. Trust me, the struggle is what makes you stronger and you will look back on these days and be thankful for them.

Alexandre Orion: If you permit me to offer a piece of counsel : your Facebook post was a polite accusation.

I guess some part of me knew that this was antagonistic. While writing things like that I always feel bad about writing them, but pleased that I'm saying what I feel. But You're quite right - I think that this is one of the most important points in my training, now that I consider it clearly. While writing that I was truly led by my emotions - I gave into the darker side of my self, the side that harbors anger and resentment. It really is no wonder that people don't want to respond to something like that. The problem is I wouldn't have taken it personally if someone else had written that, heck, I would have replied and started a discussion - but that's part of the learning process too. I'm becoming more aware of the fact that I don't see things in quite the same way - I miss little cues and pieces of social structure that most people take for granted.

I suppose my anger on the front stems from both a disappointment in the people I call friends and in myself, with the latter being more prominent. Not having anyone of like mind to share my time with does certainly add an extra weight to my life though.

All good things to consider. Thank you.

Williamkaede: There was a lot of arguing over ulterior motives and conspiracies. The average people were apathetic; they simply didn't care.

These are exactly two of the issues I find myself facing. Whenever I attempt to become involved in something I find that it's awash with people who refuse to look at the situation with a little objectivity and logical reasoning. Then in my personal life, I'm awash with people who not only don't care about any larger issues, but seem utterly incapable of just sitting back and enjoying conversations. This may be due to my own nature though - I can hardly blame people for not wanting to converse if I'm attacking them ad hominem.

It's cool you managed to change that bill though! If only the people we elect into office had nothing but the best intentions in mind... but they don't; it seems we can rarely trust them, and that appears to be the case worldwide. Makes it all the more important to stand up and speak our minds.

Lykeios: There is almost a sense of having no friends at all despite my long list of "friends."

That right there is the entire point of everything I was trying to say in my FB post. I think I'll probably follow your tactic and simply drop away from FB. Though I might drop away from the social side and just post philosophical quotes like Alexandre used to. My time really can be better used elsewhere. Talking to people in coffee shops seems like a good place to start.

Thanks.

Streen: You are a light in the darkness, Locksley. You're right, most people don't want to talk about serious subjects because if they do they may find that they then have to do something about it. People are quick to talk and slow to act, so most people just don't talk and therefore save themselves the trouble.

I wish I had something comforting to say other than "I know how you feel", but it's true. Trust me, the struggle is what makes you stronger and you will look back on these days and be thankful for them.

I guess I just figure that if I say nothing I'll never grow - I can't understand people who don't take that little leap of 'faith'. I mean look, by posting this here I've had the chance to see myself from several different perspectives, and it's really helped me understand my self a little better, as well as making me feel slightly less alone.

I've gotta believe you're right - someday I'll look back at myself now and chuckle, knowing that I've come a very long way.

I've stopped just short of cancelling my Facebook account. There's a TOTJO page there but it's primarily to direct people to the real site.

I've had similar experiences Locksley. Oh yes indeed.

Was the play Waiting for Lefty the one by Clifford Odets (1935) with the cab drivers planning a labor strike?

Br. John wrote: I've stopped just short of cancelling my Facebook account. There's a TOTJO page there but it's primarily to direct people to the real site.

I've had similar experiences Locksley. Oh yes indeed.

Was the play Waiting for Lefty the one by Clifford Odets (1935) with the cab drivers planning a labor strike?

Yeah, that's the one. Great play and these guys did an amazing job of putting it on. Some great local actors. One of those plays that's still utterly relevant to the times, even this long after it was written.

Yeah... basically I just stay on FB to post funny messages and keep in semi-touch with family and old friends I'd never hear from otherwise. I like the TOTJO page too.