General Road and Highway Discussion

[danbrotherston]

Five years ago...even three years ago, I'd agree with you folks here, up in various levels of anger and hate about this direct action. Today...I'm not actually taking a position. I'm not sure whether I agree, I'm not certain how effective this will be. But I am certain that the current protests have been ineffective (School strike for climate has been happening for years and we are literally planning new highways right now...we have no new vehicle standards...etc. etc.).

When leadership ignores existential problems, protests will evolve into more and more significant and inconvenient protests. This is as minor as you can get...it's an inconvenience, nothing more, no violence, no property damage.

As for effectiveness, like it or not (and I don't) there's a history of violent protest and direct action being effective.

My preference is for non-violent protest to be effective. But it working or not working is not up to me, and at the moment, it is not working. I am sweating away at a record +40C here in Europe...France and Spain are on fire...we need to do something.

Here is an excellent YouTube video discussing protest with more expertise and subtlety than I can provide in a few paragraphs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dh4G1Gjv7bA&t=2236s&ab_channel=PhilosophyTube