Can we start a radical optimism thread? Because I need a #radical optimism thread. And I think you need a #radicaloptimism thread.

News. Quotes. Music. Thoughts. Whatever.

I'll start:

"You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time." --Angela Davis

If this gets any traction, please boost, especially the replies. You and I are not the only ones that need this right now.

When people ask me if I have any hobbies, I openly say that I like to use my Facebook to radicalize people who know me through use of leftist propaganda memes/agitprop, the visible joy on their faces is wonderful.

They're not angry, they're excited.

People are afraid to be radicalized, but they *want* to be radicalized.

People are afraid, and they're waiting for people like you to take the first steps toward change.

They don't know what to do, but they're looking to everyone else, looking for *someone* to take the first steps.

During my MA in International Relations, I was walking down the street with some US Republican classmates.

The street corners packed with people, and the streets were empty, but the light didn't say to go yet.

I said, "Look, it's my favorite part."

My classmates were confused and asked what I meant.

I said watch the people all looking at each other. No one wants to wait for the light, but no one wants to take the first step. In a moment, though, without a word, everyone is going to make a collective decision to break the law.

Sure enough, everyone paused, looked at each other, and as one they crossed the road.

It's a tiny bit of rebellion. Only barely worth considering as a crime, barely even breaking the rules. But that's what it was.

My Republican classmates thought I was nuts. They still do. I was nicknamed "The Dissenter."

But that moment is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see, because that is what the revolution will look like.

For anyone confused by replies to this one, I've edited out the city because I was sick of getting pessimistic replies from bad faith people.