Still digesting, but I think this is important reading for anyone (like me) trying to understand OWS

[usernamenumber]

Putting this here and then crossposting to Twitter, since the latter is not so great for conversation and I'd welcome comments if people have them.

Think Occupy Wall St. is a phase? You don't get it

It's true, I don't. I think I kind of get where the author is pointing, but still need to chew on it more. I'm having trouble seeing what's supposed to come of this, or if that's not the point, what the point is. Then again, the fact that it, and the surrounding issues, have just been talked about so much of late (I know it's been on my mind a lot), and some of the things I've learned about the way they organize themselves... maybe that points to a more subtle change in the zeitgeist, and maybe that's the big thing that it stands to accomplish.

Comments

FRUSTRATION

[tiven weinstock (from livejournal.com)]

This is coming from one thing: frustration. People are frustrated with being unemployed, being underemployed, taking pay cuts, not being able to afford the basic necessities such as food and healthcare.

There is no real leader and therefore no specific goals laid out to achieve. People are just sick and tired of things only getting harder for most, while a tiny few get richer and richer. If I was unemployed I'd most certainly be there because what else would i have to do anyway?

I don't know what kind of effects, if any, this will have in the long run, but people seem to be waking up to the inequalities baked into our society and I for one am glad to see it.

Re: FRUSTRATION

[dave hall (from livejournal.com)]

You're right .. frustration is the prime motivator, but it's the "We are the 99%" meme that's becoming the prime attractor. It's working and spreading beyond belief. The success of the Occupy meme and strategy keeps the conversations going 24/7. Whether the frustrated amongst the left, moderate and right can equally discuss solutions to dissipate their frustation in the open democratic forums opening up on pavements and in public squares remains to be seen. The emergence (or joining of) political leaders is the next logical step. My bet is that Van Jones will be the first to get involved when he sees that joining is the best way to forward his agenda. He will have to buy into the 99% meme to get anywhere, it's too powerful and entrenched already to be swept aside by another.