> there are protests to attend if that's your thing.
I'm afraid they're not. I'm happy to donate money to causes for people to protest but just being honest, I'm probably not going to do it.
> Tesla takedown is getting a lot of traction
I don't really want to damage strangers' property. I don't own any car as I just take public transportation, so I can't really say I'm "boycotting" Tesla any more than any other brand.
> Can you get folks to move off Twitter?
None of my family or friends were really using Twitter even before Elon bought it.
> To make a plan to vote in the next election?
All my family and friends vote in every election anyway.
> To themselves support local media or organizations?
Again, agreed on that. I'll mention that to parents next time I talk to them.
> Perhaps to run for school board or other local office?
I've debated it, but I think I'm a bit too eccentric to be a good politician. I am also afraid it would turn me evil.
I don't really disagree with anything you said, just that I'm already doing most of what you suggested.
Tesla takedown is not about damaging property - it's strictly peaceful protests to discourage people from buying Tesla, and to raise awareness of Musk's role in DOGE and breaking the government.
Editorializing: A lot of folks bought Teslas because they wanted to do good in the world. Most of the Tesla drivers out there are allies of sanity. Except maybe those ugly trucks. :) :)
> I don't really want to damage strangers' property. I don't own any car as I just take public transportation, so I can't really say I'm "boycotting" Tesla any more than any other brand.
Divest of Tesla. In a 401k move from index funds to other funds without or less TSLA. Or invest in inverse EFTs that essentially short Tesla - TSLS, TSLQ, and TSLZ. Not buying a Tesla or torching a Cybertruck are not the only options.
Personally, I respect reluctance to protest. Protest is situationally effective and sometimes necessary, but holds a dramatically outsized place in public imagination. So much of effective politics happens elsewhere.
The core of politics is building coalitions of cooperation that can sustain and grow themselves, ideally around habits of ongoing participation and policy goals that have wide benefits.
That means you have to start by developing habits. You are a political organization of one. What habits of schedule and focus will sustain that? How will you widen them into an organization of two, of six, of twelve, and more?
> I've debated it, but I think I'm a bit too eccentric to be a good politician.
There may be an example or two of people who many would find eccentric who are currently holding elected office. You never know.
> I am also afraid it would turn me evil.
The key is making sure that you don't ever place yourself outside relationships of accountability. As long as you can think of recent conversations where you've engaged in reflective give and take with a personal or public critic that you have sustained relationships with, chances are pretty good you're OK.
Agreed. No argument on that.
> there are protests to attend if that's your thing.
I'm afraid they're not. I'm happy to donate money to causes for people to protest but just being honest, I'm probably not going to do it.
> Tesla takedown is getting a lot of traction
I don't really want to damage strangers' property. I don't own any car as I just take public transportation, so I can't really say I'm "boycotting" Tesla any more than any other brand.
> Can you get folks to move off Twitter?
None of my family or friends were really using Twitter even before Elon bought it.
> To make a plan to vote in the next election?
All my family and friends vote in every election anyway.
> To themselves support local media or organizations?
Again, agreed on that. I'll mention that to parents next time I talk to them.
> Perhaps to run for school board or other local office?
I've debated it, but I think I'm a bit too eccentric to be a good politician. I am also afraid it would turn me evil.
I don't really disagree with anything you said, just that I'm already doing most of what you suggested.