Is Occupy Wall Street a force for anything? Thus far, its nebulous demands have made it seem like an opportunity for the unemployed, on their 99 weeks of UI, to get together and have lunch. Or is the media helping to make it seem that way?Let's discuss what OWS means now and what it could mean in the future. Might this be a movement that leads to real change? Do we want real change?
Realistically, what can we hope for? And what are potential bad outcomes? How destabilizing a force could it be?
Realistically, what can we hope for? And what are potential bad outcomes? How destabilizing a force could it be?
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ReplyDeletewow. Compelling.
ReplyDeleteWe are not bound to this but here are some ideas for tonight:
ReplyDelete1. What OWS issues do BB members identify with?
2. Are we victims? Of a system? Of compromised people?
3. Controversial vs. uncontroversial issues.
4. Has our social contract been breached?
5. Is long-term economic health inconsistent with our brand of democracy?
6. Ritholtz: When a dog bites you in the ass, don’t blame the dog…
7. Is “We are the 99%” a helpful slogan?
8. Doug Casey: It has to end badly. Every revolution I'm aware of, including the American revolution, leads to a period of things getting worse before they get better - if they get better. The French revolution is a classic case, in which it was good they got rid of Louis XVI, but then they got Robespierre, and then they got Napoleon, who was even worse. This is the standard pattern; revolutions unleash the most violent and fanatical people to rise to the top. So, if the trend continues, I don't expect it to have a happy ending.
9. Where can the movement go? Best case. Worst case. Most likely case.
10. What can we do to affect positive change? Joins OWS? Vote? Stay Calm and Carry On.