We can't solve any of our problems without first addressing misogyny, patriarchy and female inequality. Mutual aid and balance between the male and female is essential to our continuation as a species.
In general, I try to stick to the role of gadfly so as not to bore the attention-challenged reader and because writers, like Hathaway, are so much better at crafting essays. Here, Hathaway has greatly advanced the discussion of social change with much needed clarity and insight. I do, however, have one important criticism. I think it is not productive to draw such a hard line between revolution and reformism. These words, like communism, socialism, Marxism, etc., more often produce confusion and stratification than clarity and unity. To reject reformism as "an illusion that appeals to cowards", is counter-productive. I'm basically a reformist, but I agree with the tactics this essay describes and I do not reject violent revolution, as a last resort against tyranny. I suggest a majority of reformists would agree.
Perhaps we need a new word. Only half in jest, I offer "reformolution".
If you're looking for solutions or a new paradigm embracing universal justice, equality, mutual aid and sustainability, you won't find it in this essay. You will find yet another long, well written list of the world's problems with most, if not all, of the blame falling on the 1% while the 99% appear to be helpless victims.
All people, especially women, need their societies to embrace universal justice, equality and mutual aid. Women don't need the tools of capitalism so much as the end of patriarchy. Moin is on the right track, but needs to dig deeper to find the roots of unhappiness and the inability to reach ones potential.
As a majority, consumer/voters have ALL the power to mold any type of society they want. All businesses and representatives survive and thrive at the behest of consumer/voters. The apathy and shortsightedness of the consumer/voter has created and supported the pathetic societies we have today. Only a new vision supported by a united consumer/voter can change our course. That new vision should include universal justice, equality, mutual aid and sustainability. Expecting and waiting for change from the top down has not and will not work. We must unite around solid, social principles and become the change we wish to see. Stop blaming the rich and get to work!
The apologists are at least partially correct. The whole thing is just cyclical and eventually, after the collapse and revolution, there will be upward mobility and to an extent, more collapse equals more potential upward mobility. Making the same mistake over and over again and expecting a different outcome, is that stupidity and/or insanity? Blaming only the rich is pathetic scapegoating. The poor certainly share responsibility for this ancient, perverted dance. To avoid this particular cycle and form the basis of peaceful, prosperous societies, we need to seriously embrace the golden rule and the principles of universal justice, equality, mutual aid and sustainability.
Understand your local carrying capacity and reduce your carbon footprint as soon as possible to a sustainable level. Be an example and share with anyone who will listen, what works and what doesn't work. Vote for representatives that actively support your efforts. Rest assured you have tried to do the right thing and will be much better prepared when climate catastrophe inevitably strikes.
There is another option which is rarely discussed, but probably the most likely. With its outsized military and hegemonic foreign policy, the USA intends to control the world's resources and reduce population to a manageable level. The neocon plan is to eliminate contrarians and useless eaters by any means necessary until the reset point is reached where the climate is stable and growth potential renewed. We must remove the neocons from power before managed powerdown, the only viable option, can be implemented.
![[Avatar]](/images/avatar26.png){kind=avatar}
Production