My Two Cents (Re: [dc-critmass-list] changing our mass)

[Mykeru]

One thing that I've noticed reading this list is that there's
a contingent of people who just seem to be all about
naysaying. Maybe it's the same person, but I'm turned off when
someone posts a heartfelt, real experience with getting jumped
on his bike, gets a few responses and someone takes the
opportunity to put people down for being "macho". I wrote the
person a tempered email explaining how high-handed and
unconstructive that was, but of course there was no response.
Some people just don't want to hear it. The best thing to do
with people like that, although I hardly follow this advice
myself consistently, is to tune them out. I like to talk to
people. I don't need people talking *at* me.

So let's discuss the problem. And if someone wants to dismiss
my thinking out loud as not the way things are done or "macho"
then fine.  

I don't see any real work being done. Why is it that the
unofficial critical mass website hasn't been updated in a
year? Where are the people printing up and posting flyers? How
about some edgy stickers? If no one is doing it, then perhaps
you should enlist the services of a graphic artist. You know,
like ME. 

I know people loathe the idea of any sort of organization, and
would just prefer to ride around yelling "ride a bike, save
the planet" (although, personally some days I think the
planet, especially this country, should be sterilized down to
the bedrock, with nukes if necessary, but that's just me) so
that pedestrians can smile at the silly hippies. 

Would it hurt to try to get a more weighty message across,
like with the information here: 

http://www.metafilter.com/mefi/43332

How about a ride to get a single idea across, such as the
"Hubbert peak theory", or is that too unlike an "organized
coincidence" for people's tastes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peak_oil

In fact, when I look at that the "save the planet" crap
irritates me even more. We live in egocentric times. Most
people drives cars, leave a footprint on the planet the size
of Sasquatch and even take condoms "ribbed for her pleasure"
and turn them inside out, they are that fucking selfish. So
how about convincing people to save their own asses? Or that
all the work they are putting into setting up a unsustainable
lifestyle for their kids is a complete waste of time. How
about explaining that their bullshit half-measures are not
working, that hydrogen isn't energy, it's energy storage and
it takes more petrochemicals to make the fucking hydrogen than
they are saving using it.

Unless people are willing to self publicize, grab some
attention and actually say something worth hearing then
marginalization is simply a form of just deserts.   

---- Original message ----
>Date: Fri, 8 Jul 2005 10:15:35 -0400
>From: "Dave Sachs" <sachsd at SEIU.ORG> 
>Subject: [dc-critmass-list] changing our mass  
>To: <dc-critmass-list at lists.mutualaid.org>
>
>   people talk about the NYC-CM as if it were legendary
>   with it's hundreds and hundreds of riders.
>   why then is it that here, in our nations capitol,
>   there are so few (dedicated) riders, and such little
>   awareness?
>   where are the people?
>
>   like any other living, breathing, organism
>   do we not need constant regrowth?
>   where are our new members coming from?
>   how can new people show up for a ride they know
>   nothing about?
>   when was the last time you handed a flyer to a
>   complete stranger on a bike?
>
>   i for one sugest that the key to making the DC-CM as
>   legendary as we want it to be,
>   is for us to all do our part in spreading awareness,
>   and recruiting participants wherever we go.
>
>   now, i didn't ride last month. and it wasn't out of
>   protest.
>   i was enjoying myself with a group of friends
>   (bikers and non alike)
>   and the company and margaritas were too good to part
>   with.
>   so ,,, one less rider. sorry people.
>
>   but i would like to think that this week alone i
>   have more than made up for it.
>   with 8 flyers handed out, and countless stickers
>   placed in "prime spots",
>   the word is being spread, only we are the winds that
>   can carry it.
>
>   please speak out. please say something.
>   otherwise nothing will change.
>   if we build it, they will come
>   ride
>
>   _ dave
>   yarrgh
>
>     ------------------------------------------------
>
>   http://www.purpleocean.org
>   http://www.seiu.org
>________________
>_______________________________________________
>dc-critmass-list mailing list
>dc-critmass-list at lists.mutualaid.org
>To (un)subscribe:
http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/dc-critmass-list
>free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
Regards, 

-Mykeru
www.mykeru.com