[QUOTE=
There is a lack of understanding of political theory in these protests. They are responding to surface currents in the mass media without much perspective on longer-term history and ideas, or the real, deep and hideous roots of the problems. Perhaps more importantly, I believe that unfortunately Western culture has degraded to the point where meaningful public discourse and political action are not currently possible. I say this after many years of personal experience trying it myself, taking countless risks to my personal safety and liberty.[/QUOTE]
I think most people understand what is guiding our political system. Our governments makes decisions based on what is best for them or their friends. The guiding had behind our government and economy are the banks. I also believe most people involved in the movement do not rely on mass media. Personally, I think all the problems boil down to the monetary system and society's train of thought. Most people do not have control of their mind, and society as a whole has a warped value system.
It is because 300 million people believe this that it is so.
As a collective people we have disempowered ourselves... and its all in our heads.
a new attitude and approach is required
I agree, a new approach is required, but tbh, I was being bratty with my comment.
My thoughts are that we're in this predicament because many people are too lazy to diviate from their daily lives to effect a change. Basically, it shows we're satisfied using 'competitive thinking' rather than 'collective thinking' as it's just easier to choose from a list provided without having to expend too much energy.
Competitive vs collective thinking ~ excerpt from an interesting blog post on the Daily Kos by UnaSpenser. Occupy Wall Street: a primer on consensus and the general assembly.
Quote:
In competitive thinking, we rely on individuals or small organizations to formulate solutions and we either go with them or we reject them and choose another individual's solutions. It's highly likely that neither option is optimal, but we're forced to choose. We then see those who made the winning proposal as leaders and tend to defer to them on many future decisions.
In collective thinking, this would never happen. If someone proposes a solution, it is put in front the collective for consideration and ideas on how to make it even better and assurance that all serious concerns about the proposal are addressed. The resulting solution belongs to everybody and no one is seen as a leader and no one is ever deferred to for future decision-making. Empowerment to execute proposals and fulfill leader-like positions is temporary and in service to the community.
It's good to see people trying to do something positive. As a veteran protester (mainly against animal abuse and the arms trade) I completely understand their motivations. I don't have much time for armchair commentators who criticise online while doing nothing positive themselves (that doesn't include people who are focusing their positivity in other areas as I am now, along with others on this forum).
However, speaking personallly, my own motivations have changed over the years and when I look at the protests I see a younger version of myself, without the relatively greater wisdom and experience I currently have.
There is a lack of understanding of political theory in these protests. They are responding to surface currents in the mass media without much perspective on longer-term history and ideas, or the real, deep and hideous roots of the problems. Perhaps more importantly, I believe that unfortunately Western culture has degraded to the point where meaningful public discourse and political action are not currently possible. I say this after many years of personal experience trying it myself, taking countless risks to my personal safety and liberty.
Taking a longer term view, this is one of my main motivations for trying to grasp the inner teachings of the traditional Eastern healing and self-healing systems - to contribute towards restoring the spiritual life of the West, more or less destroyed by many centuries of religious and political oppression.
Protesting in large numbers gets media attention, but not necessarily constructive results, especially when there's a lack of political understanding.
The OWS demonstrators are rightfully exercising their rights to protest, but the protesting should be conducted @ the White House in DC where all the rules are made
There is a lack of understanding of political theory in these protests. They are responding to surface currents in the mass media without much perspective on longer-term history and ideas, or the real, deep and hideous roots of the problems. Perhaps more importantly, I believe that unfortunately Western culture has degraded to the point where meaningful public discourse and political action are not currently possible. I say this after many years of personal experience trying it myself, taking countless risks to my personal safety and liberty.
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I don't know if a deep political understanding is all that important for the average protester... but certainly it is great if you have it. All you have to know is that there is something absolutely and terribly wrong. ... as it was in the Vietnam War protests.. we did not know all the political ins and outs but we knew dam well it was wrong... and time has proved us right.
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"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." Marcus Aurelius
I have a problem with the idea of asking the government to do this or that for moral reasons. That is not the government's role. They are amoral. Their role is to sell and enforce the elite agenda. That's why I see a lack of political understanding. Demonstrations are supposed to be a threat to the government, a show of popular force - not a polite request. The Roman theorist Livy described the popular 'tumults' (riots) as an important part of a healthy civic life. They represented a real physical threat that counterbalanced the wealth and established power of the elite. Wasn't that the original meaning of the right to bear arms in the US?
The idea that being on a demonstration is taking part in some kind of public discourse is also confused. Public discourse really just means the mass media, which are part of the same system too.
These are things I've realised after many years in various different campaigns.
It reminds of of the Peasants' Revolt - which is probably the most interesting thing that happened in England since the Norman Conquest. They were naive enough to believe that the King was not aware of their situation and if they were able to get through and present their demands, they would get justice. They got murdered.
bratty with my comment. 
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