Activists And Anarchists Should Try Being Nicer To The People They Are Trying To Persuade
There is a trend in activist and anarchist circles where people are encouraged to only associate with people who think exactly like themselves, and I find this trend to be extremely counterproductive and damaging.
It is important to associate with people who are different, and people who see the world differently, not only for our own perspective and our owns state of mind, but also for the sake of promoting our own philosophy and showing others that we are friendly, peaceful and reasonable people.
Your friends, family and acquaintances may have incorrect ideas about society or the government, but that is no reason to shun or lecture them. It is important to inform people, yes, but the best way to do that is to be excited about the ideas that you believe in and lead by example in making them a reality. This will make them more receptive to your ideas when those controversial topics come up and those serious conversations happen.
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John Vibes is an author and researcher who organizes a number of large events including the Free Your Mind Conference. He also has a publishing company where he offers a censorship free platform for both fiction and non-fiction writers. John is currently battling cancer , and will be working to help others through his experience, if you wish to contribute to his treatments consider subscribing to his podcast to support at https://www.patreon.com/johnvibes
This can't be said enough. Research has shown that presenting folks with evidence that contradicts their beliefs, those beliefs only get stronger. Being kind and non judgmental goes much further towards creating curiosity and an opportunity to teach. And, as you've said, these opportunities only come when we step out of our bubble and interact with those who disagree with us.
Have you ever read Dale Carnage’s book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”? It’s one of my favorites.
It talks about how a man offended is harder to win over than a fortified city (which is actually a quote from the Bible). No one likes to hear that they’re wrong, or have some else’s options thrust upon them.
There’s an element of- seek first to understand, and then to be understood. Also to be lavish with your praise, and scarce with your criticism- Instead of being anti-war, be pro peace. Fall in love with the idea of peace, and glorify it, instead of bitching about the adverse effects of war.
In context to your post, I’d suggest that we are pro anarchy, instead of anti government. It’s easy to bitch about a faulty system. It’s much harder, and more intellectually demanding to talk up the benefits of an anarchistic society. Most people don’t even know what that looks like. But if we’re able to discribe it, with excitement, our message is better conveyed.
I for one am solutions oriented, and would much rather create a space for positive conversations about anarchy, than negative conversations about the government.
It can be frustrating when I would pull someone into the tent, and the people already there would drive them out again... That's one reason I stopped even trying to lead people to more radical areas of political philosophy. #BabySteps
It should be more about building new then destroying the old and that is what a lot of anarchist forget about
Your posts always amaze me.
Every time i see your post, i always feel happy and happy.
@johnvibes when is the next Free Your Mind conference? I know it is usually the first week of April
we are skipping 2018 this year since we were unable to plan with me being sick, but we will be back in 2019! thanks for asking!
When you do, if you don't already have an AV guy like me, please let me know. I do too much work for banks, pharma, fedgov etc., and not enough in sectors I support. I'm not a gear supplier, but have 20 years international experience and extensive national contacts for both gear and techs.
Agree, wholeheartedly! However, I am guilty of succumbing to verbally bashing others occasionally when they resist absolutely any change to their own way of thinking. I understand cognitive dissonance. I do. But how are we ever going to evolve as a species, as a whole, if we can't ever let go of our own notions, open our minds, and broaden our horizons? And if everyone is supposed to come to their own realizations in their own time, how do we ever reach some sort of critical mass? Just hoping for conversation here <3