Wednesday, October 19, 2011

What Are We Occupying?

I'm still undecided on how I feel on the Occupation thing. At first it seemed like an isolated event but it's becoming something worldwide. It is great to see people getting out to demonstrate. Often there are couch coaches who just say something should be different or shouldn't be this or that so I'm glad to see peaple who are willing to go put some effort into advancing their claims. I am not sure however that this movement will continue to be a good thing.

First there is no one common message. That can be a good thing as often mass appeal statments have no substance and mean nothing. That means however, that the concepts that bring people out for these events likely differ and will not bind them together for long.
Basically the base point people are protesting is the power of the the wealthy. I agree that this power in the hands of so few has caused problems however don't agree with the solution of Occupy protestors. The issue I have is that they are not planning to abolish the system. Many of those protesting want the same type of wealth they are protesting. You can't get rid of the wealth if you want it and by not getting rid of it you merely recycle the problem. As well these Occupy events have few central leaders or statements. The movements can easily become a platform for people to rise to places of authority using the momentum of people just to use their new power for their own benefit.

I'm not saying that it is a bad thing I am just concerned about how it will end.