Consensus, Human Mic Become Part Of "Occupy" Culture - Reuters

[WillyT]

Consensus, human mic become part of "Occupy" culture
By Laird Harrison - Reuters
OAKLAND, California | Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:46am EST


Reuters/Mike Segar

<snip>

(Reuters) - When police ordered anti-Wall Street protesters out of a vacant lot in Oakland this week, the group responded as it does to nearly every challenge it has faced -- with a lively debate.

"Mic check!" shouted someone in the crowd. "Mic check!" a dozen voices called back. The group then proceeded to discuss whether it should comply with the police demand, with listeners repeating every word uttered by each speaker.

Such call-and-response meetings have become the signature of the Occupy Wall Street movement, which launched itself in September to demonstrate against economic inequality and excesses of the U.S. financial system.

The unique form of public address, along with elaborate rules for consensus decision-making, illustrates how deeply the movement is committed to living out its egalitarian ideals.

"I think it could turn America on its head," said Kanene Holder, a member of the Occupy Wall Street facilitation group. "It's such a beautiful thing if people do understand each other and hear each other's voices."

<snip>

More: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/11/24/us-protests-culture-idUSTRE7AN18020111124

:kick:

[BlancheSplanchnik]

1. WOW, this is really fascinating to me--and exciting!!

A call for dialogue at a massive grassroots level....that is really exciting!

My Buddhist Sensei speaks of the importance of dialogue often. Here are some quotes that sum up just how crucial it is:

*Without dialogue, humans are fated to walk in the darkness of their own dogmatic self-righteousness. Dialogue is the lamp by which we dispel that darkness, lighting and making visible for each other our steps and the path ahead.

*Genuine dialogue is a ceaseless and profound spiritual exertion that seeks to effect a fundamental human transformation in both ourselves and others. Dialogue challenges us to confront and transform the destructive impulses inherent in human life. I earnestly believe that the energy generated by this courageous effort can break the chains of resignation and apathy that bind the human heart, unleashing renewed confidence and vision for the future.

*True courage is not found in force, it is found in the effort to engage in dialogue. This is when humanity truly triumphs.

*The courage to meet and talk with people is absolutely crucial. Choosing dialogue is itself the triumph of peace and of humanity.

*So long as human history continues, we will face the perennial challenge of realizing, maintaining, and strengthening peace through dialogue, of making dialogue the sure and certain path to peace. We must uphold and proclaim this conviction without cease, whatever coldly knowing smiles or cynical critiques may greet us.

Daisaku Ikeda

[Major Hogwash]

5. Excellent post!!

And I have learned something good today already because of your post!!
Thanks!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. Thanks Major :)

(Love your screen name, by the way--it ALWAYS cracks me up!)


I appreciate that!

Very cool of you :hi:

Dialogue can be pretty difficult; it's really tough sometimes to keep in mind that the goal is to aim for communication and respecting another's viewpoint, especially when you're really angry. Doesn't mean you have to go along with them, though...but productive dialogue is not easy. It does take real spiritual discipline to listen and respect someone who believes toxic stuff, though--I know, I've failed at it myself plenty of times!! heeeeeee :P (Respect doesn't mean we have to go along with them, of course.)

Here's some more Buddhism reading you might resonate with:
www.Ikedaquotes.org
www.sgi-usa.org
www.sgi.org

[JDPriestly]

2. That article was written by someone who "gets it."

It was edited by Dan Whitcombe.

The OWS movement is about a lot of things including pointing out that our economic and political system or systems (depending on how you look at) it is or are not working.

But the most important thing about OWS is that people are tired of being talked at and want to be listened to. People are tired of being talked at by the media and phony politicians and want to listen to each other.

In this time of Skype and Face-to-Face and conference calls and livestreams, there is no excuse for a media that just talks at viewers and listeners. There is no excuse for paid for propaganda that does not provide honest information.

It's bad news for the traditional media. Who needs overpaid journalists when on-the-scene citizen reports and videos have proved more honest and more compelling.

Everyone bashes the Mainstream Media.

This is the first report I have seen that suggests that maybe the traditional media will catch on and change its ways.

[Kaleko]

3. Very informative.

[uppityperson]

4. k&r

[Huey P. Long]

7. occupy. -eom