4 ms·

What're you getting at? The full quote is "It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury Signifying nothing."

unimpressive 13y ago
I'm assuming something akin to what I posted some months ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5921688 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5921688
- bendoernberg 13y ago
  Is there an alternative you'd recommend?
  - unimpressive 13y ago
    Not particularly. In this case it was more of a clarification of somebody else's words than my own opinion. Public pressure works to an extent, but it's dangerous to use it, because if you can't get a sizable number of people to show up it signals weakness.
    - aaronem 13y ago
      There's also the much more substantive consideration that "public pressure", in the shape of a rally like this one, only works at all if there's a credible threat of meaningful action if the presented demands aren't fulfilled. There being no chance of that here, the upcoming rally is little more than a chance for the soi-disant protesters to get out in the fresh air and reassure themselves that they're Doing Something Meaningful.
      - sinak 13y ago
        It's not just a rally, we're also arranging a citizen lobby day for constituents to meet with their representatives and talk to them about why this is important: https://rally.stopwatching.us/lobbyday.html https://rally.stopwatching.us/lobbyday.html
        aaronem 13y ago
        Oh, well, that's totally different, of course!
  - aaronem 13y ago
    Acknowledgement of powerlessness and healthy disengagement in favor of more worthwhile ways of spending one's time. I appreciate it's not for everyone, but I have to say it's done wonders for my peace of mind.
    - bendoernberg 13y ago
      I have a hard time imagining anything worthwhile that could come from powerlessness and disengagement.
      - aaronem 13y ago
        No doubt. Consider, though, that only disengagement is a choice; whether or not you have power is not up to you. (You don't.)
- aaronem 13y ago
  That's it exactly.

I'm assuming something akin to what I posted some months ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5921688 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5921688

bendoernberg 13y ago
Is there an alternative you'd recommend?
- unimpressive 13y ago
  Not particularly. In this case it was more of a clarification of somebody else's words than my own opinion. Public pressure works to an extent, but it's dangerous to use it, because if you can't get a sizable number of people to show up it signals weakness.
  - aaronem 13y ago
    There's also the much more substantive consideration that "public pressure", in the shape of a rally like this one, only works at all if there's a credible threat of meaningful action if the presented demands aren't fulfilled. There being no chance of that here, the upcoming rally is little more than a chance for the soi-disant protesters to get out in the fresh air and reassure themselves that they're Doing Something Meaningful.
    - sinak 13y ago
      It's not just a rally, we're also arranging a citizen lobby day for constituents to meet with their representatives and talk to them about why this is important: https://rally.stopwatching.us/lobbyday.html https://rally.stopwatching.us/lobbyday.html
      - aaronem 13y ago
        Oh, well, that's totally different, of course!
- aaronem 13y ago
  Acknowledgement of powerlessness and healthy disengagement in favor of more worthwhile ways of spending one's time. I appreciate it's not for everyone, but I have to say it's done wonders for my peace of mind.
  - bendoernberg 13y ago
    I have a hard time imagining anything worthwhile that could come from powerlessness and disengagement.
    - aaronem 13y ago
      No doubt. Consider, though, that only disengagement is a choice; whether or not you have power is not up to you. (You don't.)
aaronem 13y ago
That's it exactly.