Bryn ForbesApr 4, 2024
Robert Reich

Reminder: If we allow ourselves to fall into fatalism, or wallow in disappointment, or become resigned to what is rather than what should be, we will lose the long game.

The greatest enemy of positive social change is cynicism about what can be changed.

Apr 2, 2024 at 9:22pmWeb
Show threadProfessor_StevensApr 2, 2024

@rbreich

This is, imho, the biggest single reason why conservatives are still politically relevant: they are in a constant state of rage, and rage motivates. We liberals tend to be in a constant state of despondency. If we got as mad as they are, we'd be as active as they are. And we would win pretty much every battle with them.

Show threadOndřej MichálekApr 2, 2024

@Professor_Stevens @rbreich

Do not fall into this trap, there is place for rage when facing evil and those responsible for unjustice -- else you will just render yourself useless and politically irrelevant -- but you also need positivity and to be giving hope.
…

Show threadOndřej MichálekApr 2, 2024
…
The toxic atmosphere of hate and cynicism undermines people's receptivity to solutions, it empties the imagination of the possibility of improvement. The conservatists play this game not just because it is easier -- as everyone sometimes wants fewer goverment, as it is easier to not trust everyone and much harder to choose something to believe -- but because they have no other game to play. Rarely do they offer solutions & only noise can obscure their real work of making everyone else poorer.
Show threadProfessor_StevensApr 2, 2024

@om @rbreich

Anger and hope are not mutually exclusive. Their side seems to get along mostly on the former alone. If we were to combine them, the results might be glorious.

Show threadSilversaltyApr 2, 2024

@rbreich
We don't even have the great Black hope, 'change you can believe in' guy. Just his flunky chosen to prove that 'nothing will fundamentally change.'

What's after Biden?
The long game.

Show threadSilversaltyApr 2, 2024
@rbreich
I remember your telling a story of suggesting some 'progressive' policy to President Bill Clinton and his rolling his eyes at you. You moved on soon after.
Show threadMisuse CaseApr 2, 2024

@Silversalty @rbreich It’s very funny when people say stuff like this because Obama said in an earlier era he would have been a Republican and on most issues he was the neoliberal asshole that many of y’all think Biden is.

I mean he put Larry Summers in charge of financial policy and did more drone strikes than Bush.

Show threadNumberzApr 2, 2024
@rbreich This is all well and good but all I've ever seen you do is preach platitudes. I am not against you in any capacity but this kind of posting does nothing but provide a self serving feeling we are actually making a difference.
Show threadChristopher WalkerApr 2, 2024

@rbreich somehow this reminded me of one of my dad’s favorite jokes:

“What’s the bigger problem: ignorance or apathy?”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care.”

😂😂😂 Yeah, funny but hey they’re both problems. Let’s heed Dr. Reich’s call. Get informed and get active!

Show threadJoshuaApr 2, 2024
@rbreich resigning to what is … hmm like what if we don’t resign ourselves to accept what the democrats have anymore. Which is a nothing burger that has not even managed to convict or otherwise end the maga sphere. Supports genocide, Murderous monarchs, Turkey, border xenophobia and policy, groping woman, abortion rights. Biden could have done so much through presidential order and other methods but he’s a turd who only serves his own agenda of the silent generation. He stands and was elected to hold the systems base legitimacy, a place holder for trump while they stir up the fan base and do real damage to norms without a single law or policy required. America will in the next few months witness a fascist regime take power will the help of billionaires and their stooges the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. I’m not cynical actually. It’s just that when in Gotham…
Show threadMad Dog Ace RunApr 2, 2024
@rbreich
The greatest enemy of positive social change is the "electoral college" because it means that the votes of certain people in certain places don't count... It needs to go away.
Show threadSammyGalenApr 2, 2024
@rbreich In 1968, #RichardNixon stole the election by committing treason, with no one objecting. In 1980, #RonaldReagan stole the election by committing treason, with no one objecting. In 2000, #GeorgeWBush stole the election by committing treason, with no one objecting. The time of disappointment was long ago.
Show threadepiPelagic PuckApr 3, 2024
@rbreich
I'm painfully aware of how close we are to losing it all, but I survive on anger, hope and mocking humor.
Show threadJepharyApr 3, 2024
@rbreich
I am reminded of the innate fear that time travelers experience should they make even minor changes to the past that might rush ahead in time like tsunamis and swamp the present. But few appear to equally perseverate on the possibility that a minor change made now, could have equally important implications on the future. Just sayin’.
Show threadDaniel HaldemanApr 3, 2024
@rbreich change just doesn't happen. It takes efforts.
Show threadJW prince of CPHApr 3, 2024
@rbreich - which is exactly why the fash right is deliberately attempting to make us fall into cynicism. That's the plan.
Show threadstigcqApr 3, 2024

@rbreich Fatalism isnt cynicism or resignation. Fatalisme is the belief that all things are destined, and it doesnt change your life trajectory in any way if you have this belief.

Fatalisme is the opposite of the idea that "you can do something if you want". Fatalisme is - You will do something if its your destiny.

Show threadA land fit for all our futuresApr 3, 2024
@rbreich this is true but it's just so hard
Show threadAndrewApr 3, 2024
@rbreich
You're right to say fighting for a better future is always preferable, up to a point, than surrendering to the horror of contemporary existence. Dear me, do things look utterly bleak at the moment though