I thought the concept of Critical Mass was genius. It gathered a group of incredibly outgoing and uncanny people together and let them release their creativity in a positive manner. I actually don't see their actions as a formal protest. It was actually more like a flash mob, or a group gathered online (like through Facebook) to do weird things (like have coughing fits on the West Mall). In a way, flash mobs and Critical Mass are informal protests, going more against the status quo than against a specific aspect of that status quo.
I think the spirit of Critical Mass mattered more than the rides. It was that essence of freedom and unconventionality that can only thrive in a free society that kept it together, not the shared affinity for bicycles. Perhaps such is the same with conventional protests - it's not the issue at hand that matters but the mindset of the protestors.
Whenever this feeling of freedom generates a following, those in power will feel threatened. They may not fear for their literal position - mayor, senator, president - or for their lives; what they fear is change. Even in such a liberal city as
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If we take Laura's post further, what role do informal protests play? Or, another way to think about it, how does an informal protest challenge the status quo in a useful way? Laura offers one answer to this question - it offers a feeling of freedom. What can we add to this?
Heyyyy yo!
I really like your stance! I enjoyed reading your blog because you liked them and they just frustrated me! I really like how you looked at the "positivity" of the group. I definitely did not think about that, and now that you have mentioned it, it makes me like the group a little more. They did have a good influence on their surroundings, and that is something to be admired.
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