Article: Revolution: The Commercial by Cindy Sheehan and Gregory Vickrey

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Revolution: The Commercial
by Cindy Sheehan & Gregory Vickrey

ORIGINAL ARTICLE HERE

Cue the sappy music .

Enter Activist : I really enjoy hanging out with a close-knit group of friends at Saturday rallies that end before dinner, and posting a bunch of articles and commentary on Facebook and Twitter so friends can "like' them. It makes me feel like I am doing my part , and appreciate solidarity .

Music turns ominous .

Activist: But I began to experience a sense of emptiness when I realized that feeling self-important didn't really change much on this planet. In fact, things seem to be getting worse no matter who is in office, no matter which huge organization I join, and no matter how many petitions I sign and share and send.

Music brightens .

Voice: Reality dawns .

Activist: So at the last Saturday rally , I took a chance and separated from my friends. I approached one of the more aggressive presenters who spoke truth-to-power and seemed an expert on, well, actual action . I told her I do my part , and nothing changes . I asked: what's wrong ?

Expert: You are suffering the effects of Clicktivism .

Voice: Clicktivism is a disease , epidemic in nature, that drives us away from reality and into a land of fairy tales and lollipops where everything is "successful" when we get 50,000 signatures, or 2000 people socialize for 3 hours, or 500 pictures of "actions" are put up on a progressive website . Humane, meaningful responses to difficult life conditions ( war , climate change , poverty ) are usurped by symbolism and marketing emails and educational campaigns, often to the point where the potential for cure is lost. Ecocide , perpetual war , and massive loss of life often result.

Cue the Uprising .

Voice: But now there's Revolution .

Expert: Revolution provides a mechanism for change on the scale local, national, and international crises require, and cleanses the mind of manufactured bliss by exposing and tackling reality . Revolution rids the sufferers of clicktivism of indulgent self-importance and throws aside the symptoms of complacency and cowardice wrought by major political parties, large environmental groups , corporate controlled foundations , and the pseudo-comforts of capitalism .

Activist: With Revolution , I now see reality for what it is; I see what is required to overcome and overwhelm the constructs and machinations that are destroying our lives and our planet ; I see my feet pounding the pavement and disrupting the rapacious system today, tomorrow, and every day.

Voice: When symbolism and solidarity aren't enough, use Revolution . Revolution is for everyone , but should not be co-opted by corporate front groups , political parties , and marketing campaigns. People who are cowardly and believe in fairy-tales should not use Revolution . Talk to an Expert to understand the opportunity in systemic overhaul and the dire need for dissident uprising . When using Revolution , avoiding wasting valuable time attempting to work with large environmental groups , card-carrying politicos, and others unwilling to break chains and challenge the system head-on. Use Revolution powerfully to avoid certain side-effects such as: working within the system , setting end times for protests, and imagining real hope and change.