Lessons from the Mass Student strike in Quebec - Ireland tour September 2013

by Dubliner Fri Sep 20, 2013 09:36

'Please RSVP to UCD Dublin event on Facebook'

Yeah I'll be going, but since I'm not big into police collaboration, I don't use facebook so can't RSVP. People should relax on FB dependency, especially anarchists and revolutionaries.

by fred Fri Sep 20, 2013 15:20

Well said dubliner. Why make it easy for the state to get a nice easy list of "troublesome" people who are prepared to exercise their democratic rights to protest, so they can be watched / harassed / monitored.
Corporate facebook is the tool of the state. Activists: Use free open software and sites like indymedia!! :-)

http://stallman.org/facebook.html

by Turing Fri Sep 20, 2013 20:18

I posted the notice as I got it from the WSM. Obviously the WSM don't consider FB to be a police tool but maybe you should raise that issue with them. Its a debate worth having. Even an open article here.

I have to admit that I finally caved in and joined FB 6 months back as many events are only advertised there.

by fred Sat Sep 21, 2013 03:57

anarchists using corporate and state spying software to publicise events??

*raises eyebrows*

Anarchists should know better than to become dependent on this stuff!

Anyway, hope event goes well regardless :-)

by ex Sat Sep 21, 2013 22:17

I'm quite unsure why an organisation like the WSM is quite proud to boast of their number of 'likes' on FB. Quote: "In just 7 more people there will be 11,000 followers of the Workers Solidarity Movement (Ireland) page - the second largest following on Facebook of any political organisation in Ireland, North and/or South of the border. Including every single government party. Now who said anarchism was an idea that could only appeal to a few people?"

(Aside from the fact that 11k likes is pretty meaningless unless it translates into a visible physical presence - and I dont ever recall seeing 10% of that number of anarchists on the streets of any Irish city in recent years) Being supportive of a global capitalist company (by participating in their medium) strikes me as completely at odds with their political views. And also of course its effectively handing over a list of names to any government that wants it of irish anarchists, I'm sure FB arent worried about the privacy of their users.

There generally seems to be an attitude of "ah fuck it, it's what everyone else uses, so we may we well use it too" of left groups towards FB. Depressing. And one of the main reasons for the demise of indymedias around the world.

by paulryankelly Mon Sep 30, 2013 10:05

as bob hoskins said on the telly. reach out and touch someone. why would going to a protest with violent pwsive agressive types be any 5hing but a real pain in the neck. facebook is c1ontrolled by cia aset mark zuckenburg. this leaves me the question...who controlls indymedia of course 5here can only be one

by Celtic Mist - Equality Mon Sep 30, 2013 11:21

If Indymedia is not that much fun for you it is a very simple answer. Just opt out. We all make mistakes in life; we all in a democratic society have freedom of speech and I think Indymedia does has done a lot to give ordinary people a way of expressing their views in writing. Let us be honest the moderators might not show their faces but they do work on a voluntary basis and that in itself has to be respected. Indymedia first started in 2002 and is still up and running. Many writers have come and others have left but I believe Indymedia will last as long as it stays transparent.

I have only started to write on Indymedia in the last 12 months and I have to say I enjoy it. I may not have written many postings but I do click in everyday. One topic that comes to mind of some days ago is one about Arthur's Day and reading T's posting and his poem was most enjoyable. He covered a lot of ground from health, to juvenile delinquents and the abuse of alcohol. May I ask the moderators today - there was one topic posted by Searson and I pasted it out and read it over and over again and I sent to three different bodies who deal with alcohol abuse and the replies I received back were positive. Is it possible to ask Wageslave to read it again. I cannot see 'rambling' I see points that may be off Arthur's day and the mainstream topic but T's article makes the same points but in a different way. Again it is all about open mindedness because people who take time out to write, the same way as moderators give their time voluntarily, are entitled to respect at all times.

Mike Scott in his song classed the Irish as a shower of piss artists on Arthur's Day and we all laughed and Christy Moore had his view, as we all have our view and this is what makes Indymedia special. So back to the original point. If you don't enjoy your porridge eat cornflakes.

Celtic Mist