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I really get skeptical of attitudes like this. It's not enough to just make a conscious decision to not buy them yourself because it won't accomplish much. You

I really get skeptical of attitudes like this. It's not enough to just make a conscious decision to not buy them yourself because it won't accomplish much. You need systemic change or significant pressure on the slave shops at the very least.

dagss 8y ago
Getting "systemic change or significant pressure" starts by individuals spreading awareness and campaigning politically, and determining what goods are produced using slave labor is a big part of that.
- louithethrid 8y ago
  Maybee, that is part of a plan, that gets you nowhere. Because there is limited attention, a exaustion to campaigning and emotions. At some point, when all your actions result in evil- and none of the coices you make seem to put a dent into it- you just give up. I sincerely do no longer believe that the left can ever continue to exist after the cause of its existance has been obliberated.But like all movements, craving for power, this one wont die. So there will always be causes, always be marching, and the wretched of the earth will always wait invain for the help of the freedom front of judea.
throwawaymath 8y ago
Perfect is the enemy of good. Individuals cannot effect systemic change, but they can reduce their own responsibility. In so doing, they might convince others to do so, which can effect systemic change. Changing individual behavior is concrete and demonstrable. It's also harder and requires more of a sacrifice, which is why people don't do it. On the other hand, effecting systemic change is ill-defined and hard to measure. It's a lot easier to attempt (and fail) a monolithic task with no skin in the game than it is to clean up your own side of the street.
acover 8y ago
I'm not trying to completely solve the problem. I'm trying to be less complicit in it. I'm thinking of the story of the English factory workers that refused to use the products of slave labor. It didn't stop slavery but they at least weren't complicit.
musage 8y ago
Even just doing it consciously, out of solidarity, and encouraging others, is a moral act that has inherent value for the individual doing it. If that's "not much" to you, then do more, but I don't see how it could be anything but hollow without that first step.

dagss 8y ago

Getting "systemic change or significant pressure" starts by individuals spreading awareness and campaigning politically, and determining what goods are produced using slave labor is a big part of that.

louithethrid 8y ago
Maybee, that is part of a plan, that gets you nowhere. Because there is limited attention, a exaustion to campaigning and emotions. At some point, when all your actions result in evil- and none of the coices you make seem to put a dent into it- you just give up. I sincerely do no longer believe that the left can ever continue to exist after the cause of its existance has been obliberated.But like all movements, craving for power, this one wont die. So there will always be causes, always be marching, and the wretched of the earth will always wait invain for the help of the freedom front of judea.

throwawaymath 8y ago

Perfect is the enemy of good. Individuals cannot effect systemic change, but they can reduce their own responsibility. In so doing, they might convince others to do so, which can effect systemic change. Changing individual behavior is concrete and demonstrable. It's also harder and requires more of a sacrifice, which is why people don't do it. On the other hand, effecting systemic change is ill-defined and hard to measure. It's a lot easier to attempt (and fail) a monolithic task with no skin in the game than it is to clean up your own side of the street.

acover 8y ago

I'm not trying to completely solve the problem. I'm trying to be less complicit in it. I'm thinking of the story of the English factory workers that refused to use the products of slave labor. It didn't stop slavery but they at least weren't complicit.

musage 8y ago

Even just doing it consciously, out of solidarity, and encouraging others, is a moral act that has inherent value for the individual doing it. If that's "not much" to you, then do more, but I don't see how it could be anything but hollow without that first step.