[statecom-discuss] On efficiency & fun

[Lloyd Smith]

  Hi All,I was only applauding Ron's appeal for more fun in our action and
  most of all our DELIBERATION!!That's what I was celebrating!As for 
  efficiency,Consensus has SERIOUSLY failed us in very obvious ways!We can 
  exploit consensus to hide from making decisions that some of us may find
  too 'controversial' and 'unpopular'.So decisions of that variety get passed
  but, a host of ensuing actions follow that delay any action in a kind of
  'filibuster' way that sends the outcome to 'consensus' heaven!So,once again,
  is there even any interest in creating a parliamentery-consensus hybrid that
  can operate with the best of both worlds fulfilling our needs?!! 





> -----Original Message-----
> From: Adam Sacks [mailto:adam_artist at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Sunday, June 3, 2007 12:52 PM
> To: 'Discussion List for StateCom members'
> Subject: Re: [statecom-discuss] On efficiency & fun
> 
> 
> On the other hand, "efficiency" is a concept derived from a Cartesian mechanistic worldview
> arguably appropriate for machines but terribly mis-applied to human beings and the natural world. 
> In the name of efficiency we have regimented children in factory schools and enslaved adults on
> mind-numbing body-wrecking assembly lines.
> 
> "Efficiency" is also ever-elusive and frustrating, because people simply don't work like machines.
>  Computers are a great example of something that was supposed to make our work more "efficient" -
> instead, they tend to make mincemeat of our days, with floods of e-mail, and an overwhelming
> supply of information (not to mention the unintended consequences of the rather inefficient
> effects of massive deployments of toxic components and virtual slave labor), and ever more
> "efficient" and insidious ways of advertising and sales (and spam).
> 
> Are there some things that we can do to "save" time?  No doubt.  But I tremble at the thought of
> the GRP adopting a metaphor of human being (and by extension, nature) as machine.
> 
> Cheers!
> 
> Adam
> 
> 
> 
> --- Lloyd Smith <liveinamerica at cctvcambridge.org> wrote:
> 
> >   Bravo!!Frigging Bravo!Lloyd
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Ron Francis [mailto:ronwf777 at yahoo.com]
> > > Sent: Friday, June 1, 2007 12:25 AM
> > > To: statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> > > Subject: [statecom-discuss] On efficiency & fun
> > >
> > > One thing I have noticed in social change movements in general which I find problematic is the
> > lack of emphasis on efficiency.
> > >
> > > In so many cases we tend to take a kindly look toward any kind of work that advances our
> > cause, even if slightly.  I find myself doing this often - almost never opposing any social
> > change work that someone is doing mainly because I am just glad that they are doing it, because
> > so many US folks don't engage in systemic change in a deliberate fashion; as long as the effort
> > isn't negative I don't oppose it.
> > >
> > > Thus I think we get into a pattern of simply supporting stuff simply because it is positive -
> > something I think we should continue to do.
> > >
> > > On the the other hand, I would like to encourage folks to think about having our actions being
> > not only positive but also efficient.
> > >
> > > In every action we take we must consider what could be done with the total person-hours being
> > expended that might have a better effect at advancing our cause.  I hope we can get to the point
> > where we balance each option on not only how positive it is but also how efficient it is.  We
> > need to ask "what will it do for us in the long term ?" and also "how much will it deplete our
> > resources".
> > >
> > > The other thing that I would like to encourage is a light attitude and having fun in our
> > organizing activities.  Passion and serious about our issues and our strategy is not
> > inconsistent with having a good time.
> > >
> > > People tend to enjoy and want to do stuff that is fun,.. and it is generally easy to make our
> > activities more interesting and fun.  How about some competition and prizes now and then for
> > best organizer ?  How about some potlucks ?  Phonecall fundraising party anyone ?
> > >
> > > Ron
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > > statecom-discuss at green-rainbow.org
> > > http://www.green-rainbow.org/mailman/listinfo/statecom-discuss
> > >
> > 
> > 
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> > 
> 
> 
> 
>        
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