Monday, May 13, 2020

There is a certain type of person I've come in contact with in the past while discussing politics, who quickly decides to cut me off and wants to talk about "doing something about it". They aren't interested in the small-talk; they want to discuss action. In fact, this type of person, I've found, often *defines* themselves in terms of "taking action". Maybe the word "activist" is warranted. Anyways, the thing I find most repellent about these engagements is not so much how they see their own role in society; but, rather, what they expect of other people.

I am not, by temperment, an acitivist or a leader. I have no interest or compulsion in issuing orders to others; and I don't feel like I belong enough to "the group" to persuade them, even if I did. Some people naturally do want to lead, however, and are good at persuading others -- that's just how their brain chemistry works. When they are confronted with a "problem", and a small clutch of people to help them solve it, they instantly think in terms of affordances -- ways of making X do Y; what Z should be doing; how to motivate W; and even how to manipulate and twist people's arms into doing it. It's completely automatic to them -- like breathing. And people follow their orders, and "help out".

But the activists take it further, and just can't understand why everyone isn't "doing their part" to help lead and engaging in activism, too. If you're not writing letters to senators, or out in the street protesting, or strongarming people about the future direction for the department, say, then what good are you? "I think you're doing it intentionally, ignoring your responsibility to lead." It's a classic example of the "Psychologist's Fallacy" I wrote about before:

Wiki article

I do well to build and maintain my small social network and connections. These activists, however, come from a place of supreme privilege. They not only have the interpersonal skills needed, and the motivativation; but also have very rich community connections to draw from, a family, high social status, and many other things, besides. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up on CNN or a senator someday. They should moralize less, and be thankful they have so much!