Yesterday afternoon UW-M's Center for 21st Century Studies hosted a Pre-Occupy Symposium, examining various potential roots of #OWS*. The talks, and in particular the subsequent Q&A reaffirmed my reticence to get much-involved with the world of leftist activism and organizing. I am, of course, generally sympathetic and supportive (not to mention appreciative) of the work they do, but the conversations become a bit too predictable ofttimes.
***
Update 1/10/13 - I never really got too far with my write-up of the event. Needless to say, I was somewhat disappointed by the proceedings. I am, certainly, sympathetic for the radical Marxian desire of those taking part in the event, but the whole imaginarium of the event. The people presenting at the symposium seem not to live in the same world as most people - as real people.
*Though #OWS is also, ultimately, unsatisfying as a name for the 2011 (and subsequent?) movement, Annie McClanahan's excellent pre-pre blog post on the symposium submits the term for our consideration and I find it a useful catch-all.
***
Update 1/10/13 - I never really got too far with my write-up of the event. Needless to say, I was somewhat disappointed by the proceedings. I am, certainly, sympathetic for the radical Marxian desire of those taking part in the event, but the whole imaginarium of the event. The people presenting at the symposium seem not to live in the same world as most people - as real people.
*Though #OWS is also, ultimately, unsatisfying as a name for the 2011 (and subsequent?) movement, Annie McClanahan's excellent pre-pre blog post on the symposium submits the term for our consideration and I find it a useful catch-all.
