[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 0 points 2 hours ago

This is such a weird, unproductive observation that people make all the time.

First: my point is that we in the US should recognize that Israel's actions are making the US and Israel less safe. It would definitely be nice if Hezbollah stopped fighting, but that is essentially a non-sequitur. It's not a counter argument that what Mossad did is a good idea that any of us should support.

Second: this observation that they could end the war by not fighting is true of every side in every war. Russia could end their war in Ukraine if they stopped invading. Ukraine could end the war if they surrendered and let Russia invade them. Hezbollah and Israel could both end this war by not fighting it. What practical guidance does that provide?

I'm not interested in watching this like a history channel documentary. When I type, I'm expressing what I think we should all say and do as people with (supposedly) the ability to influence our governments. I don't have control over Hezbollah. I don't really have control over Israel or the US either, but at least I'm supposed to.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 12 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

The reasons why this is such a big f'g deal are many.

First, this IS textbook terrorism. An entire country full of civilians is paralyzed with fear of any item blowing up at any moment. In addition to the killing and maiming, this is deliberate.

Second, Mossad is innovating new theaters of warfare. Others will imitate this. This further legitimizes any place -- hospitals, schools, houses of warship -- as legitimate venues for bombing. And that includes in the US.

Third, this is ANOTHER escalation! Most of us don't want a giant regional war! And yet people act like Hezbollah was so provocative that they gave Israel no choice. Netanyahu is clearly the instigator! Hezbollah is actually in a terrible place to fight a war. They do not want this, but feel constantly compelled to maintain their credibility. They have repeatedly taken a minimalist approach because they really don't want to fight this war. This could end instantly if Israel just accepted a ceasefire in Gaza. Ironically, Israel is escalating in Lebanon because there is basically nothing left to blow up in Gaza and Netanyahu needs a constant war to stay out of jail. The claim that this is to let residents in the north go home is the same as the claim that the war in Gaza was to bring back hostages. A year later, ask the kibbutzim how that worked out.

All of this is common knowledge in Israel. The head of the military is about to be replaced for repeatedly stating that all of this is contrary to Israel's security!

It's just insane.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 6 points 9 hours ago* (last edited 9 hours ago)

I agree, although so far there don't seem to be enough of us.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 33 points 18 hours ago

From a technical standpoint, this is an incredible achievement. From a moral or rational one, though, JESUS FUCKING CHRIST THIS IS TERRIBLE.

I just don't even have the energy to list all the ways this is an insane and destabilizing thing to do. Fuck. God, I wish we had any electoral power of America's terrible foreign policy.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 3 points 2 days ago

What a fresh new hell this is.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 16 points 2 days ago

You messed up the format.

The caption should be "Why would Socialism do this?"

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 10 points 4 days ago

Well, there is a cycle:

  • Media doesn't cover climate change
  • Groups like Xtinction Rebellion hold a disruptive demonstration
  • Media complains that it's irrational and actually pushes people away from the climate movement
  • A small backlash of commentators point out that they're drawing needed attention to the issue
  • Public discusses climate change until media loses interest

... and the cycle repeats.

I hope that some climate protesters do something flashy and disruptive as soon as possible.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 4 points 5 days ago

This looks like a clog caused by retraction.

Is it clogged when it finishes? Also, does the cooling change at this layer? Is there anything specific to this layer?

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 30 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

As someone who has thought about this a lot, here's what I try to do myself.

First, let's reconcile some things. On one hand, you have a sense of powerlessness, and it's not an illusion. However on the other, I think there is a real and valid sense among many that Israel's situation has changed in fundamental ways that cannot be undone. And it seems realistic that the current order will fall in our lifetimes. So then how do you and I act to hasten that?

First (and really second, third, and fourth), we must bear witness. We must continue to read these articles and learn about this situation well enough to try and explain it to others. Save articles by Palestinians to use to lift up their voices when opportunities arise.

At this point, it helps to reflect on a certain model of persuasion I like. Our goals are not to convince someone who opposes us to join our side. It's to move people along a ladder. You want to find people who already agree with you but are passive, and activate them to do the things you're already doing. You want to convince people who are neutral to agree with you, passively. You want to convince people who are passively opposed to become neutral. And you want to convince people who are actively opposed to lose their conviction and become passive in their opposition.

This has been happening for a long time, and it's begun to accelerate in the last year. Learn and share knowledge. I don't mean facts: I mean listen to people and slip them time-bomb ideas tailored to where they are that will move them on the ladder the next time they read a headline that you've primed them to look at with new eyes.

Second: I think it's very likely that major turning points will be accompanied by mass actions. Protests don't do anything ... until suddenly they do. Be a member of a group -- DSA, JVP, PYM, etc. -- to make sure that when people march, you'll get the call.

That's pretty much what I have now. That and conversations like this one.

Third, I try to make sure I'm visible in my politics. I wear a kippah, and I have a Palestinian flag pin on it. I've found that this lets fellow Jews who've felt silenced know that I'm safe to talk to about this, and quietly lets Muslim neighbors know I'm with them. I have a drawstring bag with a pro-Palestine message I often carry. If useful to you, consider signaling politely where you stand to let others know.

And lastly: keep the faith. That ladder I mentioned? Zionists are trying to do all this to you too. There are people who want to exhaust you and demoralize you. Take breaks if needed. Don't burn out. Do what you must to stay active for the long haul.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 2 points 6 days ago

Thanks for sharing this. I wasn't familiar with this channel, not I'm liking it.

I just read that this guy was part of Nebula and was forced out. It's remarkable that he's forced out for speaking openly and defending his beliefs when Isaac Arthur is tolerated despite having much more onerous politics but having them in secret. Smh.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 10 points 6 days ago

My kids school has done some of this. Next to his kindergarten class is a little patio where they eat snacks and spend a lot of the day. It used to be concrete, but now it's all wood chips and little logs for stools. The shade is lacking, but it has trees, they're just a bit young. When they fill out, it'll be amazing.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 7 points 6 days ago

I find a big problem we have is that the media and Democrats never seem to educate people on any distinctions between undocumented crossings, Visa overstays, asylum cases, Green cards, naturalization, etc.

It's outrageous that Trump will threaten to depart people who have followed every role as though they're all criminals and no one ever seems to push back on any of it!

He's flirted with deporting natural born Americans, and it's the obvious destination when people passively accept his racialized view of Americanism!

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Springfield, Ohio became suddenly famous nationally when Trump claimed that an influx of Haitian migrants were devouring residents' pets. I went looking to see what the town is experiencing from the perspective of local news, and it looks surprising nuanced.

It appears that the town saw a rapid influx of migrants fleeing violence in Haiti. The town has since experienced a strain in its ability to function in notable ways because of the population shock. The issues include a sudden reduction in the housing supply and an increase in traffic and inexperienced drivers. One particularly bad traffic accident killed a child during a school bus crash.

The city government has seemed to largely avoid blaming new arrivals themselves. However they've expressed a sense of betrayal towards Biden and the federal government for granting thousands of people entry into the country without appearing to recognize any responsibility for helping them resettle or aiding their destination cities in accommodating them. Additionally, they've begun investigating local businesses which they suspect used the expansion of visas for Haitians seeking asylum as an opportunity to seek out low-cost workers while concealing their role in creating a population shock for which the city was unprepared.

I must say that I think the city government makes a reasonable point: those of use who want to offer foreign visitors safety and dignity in American must also demand that our government takes responsibility for helping them relocate to a town in which is expecting their arrival and has been aided in making that arrival successful.

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cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/13236888

Not givin' up

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Not givin' up

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cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/13156086

Parable of the Sower is such a good book.

First, it's interesting that it starts right about now. The book starts in mid-2024, and even mentions that its an election year. That was a fascinating experience to read a scifi book in the moment in time in which it is set. It still feels like it takes place about 20 years in the future. It was written 31 years ago, so politically things have seemed to move as many steps forward as backward. It seems like a lot of things have not gotten better and worse than when Butler wrote it, so in some sense I feel like I'm looking at it as a near future in the same way as when it was written a generation ago. I guess I'm glad things didn't go as badly as in the story, but it's rough that the looming threat from 30 years ago feels the same distance away now as then.

Second, it's painful to read. Although the events described in the book haven't happened in the book's setting -- California -- the social collapse and migrations described have happened in Honduras, Gaza, Yemen, and certainly others I'm not aware of. It was really hard to read that and know that it was already real somewhere.

Third, as a solarpunk novel -- and really as general fiction -- it feels like it should be part of a high school curriculum. It's really well written and an engrossing read. Since publishing Fully Automated, I often relate solarpunk stories to that game. What might I have added to the game if I'd read this before? How well does it naturally fit? One thing that struck me is that her emerging in-world faith -- Earthseed -- reminds me quite a bit of elements of Seekerism, a new faith tradition in Fully Automated. I wish I'd known and included direct references to Earthseed, but it's nice when the game has alignment with great works that I wasn't directly familiar with.

Has anyone else read this? What do you folks think?

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andrewrgross

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