I agree with you on the optimism inspired by Michael Moore's films and
the difference between naive optimism and optimism based on informed
awareness. I think the difference can sometimes be due to one's own
mental filters (rose colored glasses vs clear glasses for example) and
not always only the external circumstances. It's important to examine
our own filters / glasses as part of this process.
I also agree with you about the insidious nature that persuasion of
all sorts can take, and, yes, I sometimes see my susceptibility to
this - one reason I try to be careful to examine my own filters /
glasses.
I just felt a need to point out my agreement with you on these points
after having written at length about my concerns with your filters /
glasses recently.
- Ricky
On Sep 24, 2009, at 4:21 PM, Glenn moyer <[email protected]> wrote:
Hey everyone,
I wanted to give you all a heads up. The great film maker, Michael
Moore, has a great interview today on Democracynow.org. It's also
on a couple channels like 35 and Drexel TV this evening.
Ricky raised the issue of "optimism" in his criticism of my recent
satirical portrayal of FOCP leaders and their research. (haven't
had a chance to respond) This great interview comes at a good time
for our discussion of optimism.
First, I am so glad to see someone like Moore courageous enough to
speak truth to power. I found myself in almost complete agreement
with his insights and applaud his courage to speak the unpopular
truth.
I also find his comedy very inspirational and it elicits true
optimism. Moore, the film maker, reminds activists and middle class
observers that fighting for the underdogs is not depressing. I
would submit, that whatever trials and tribulations activists
experience at the hands of an oppressive system and its believers;
they can always find strong satisfaction from their courage to stand
up to the dark force and the military empire.
I think too many people have believed the corporate anti-democracy
spin. I saw that in Ricky's beliefs about my personality
characteristics. It's hard to be called lots of names, etc. But
doing what you know is right, even if you need to speak truth to
power; is not something that only depressed lonely crazies do. (To
me, the corporate anti-democratic message plays on people the same
way as the need to stay "in style" to be happy. It's a big lie.)
That's the message the corporations force down our throats as they
infantilize us and turn us into addicted consumers. In my response
that I started to Ricky, I want to draw out the difference between
true optimism which comes from a deep space inside, and forced
optimism, sometimes called "wishul thinking," which is dangerous to
the individual and creates a sense of learned helplessness in a
consumer society. (I like social workers and this is an important
topic that Ricky raised.)
Check out the interview-Moore is very inspiring.
Glenn
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