Beyond Playing Dead--Playing To Win - Revision history

EvaKnowles: added abstract

2024-07-03T23:18:26Z

added abstract

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:18, 3 July 2024
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	''Photo: Keith Holmes''		''Photo: Keith Holmes''

			{\| style="color: black; background-color: #F5DA81;"
			\| colspan="2" \|'''The Shock Troupe was a pro-peace guerrilla theater group active during the 1980s. In this flier, they dive deep into the failures of the peace movement and speak to the current moment of nuclear proliferation. Though published in 1983, this flier evokes our current moment for how it grapples with activism and the motivations behind it.'''
			\|}

	WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're here—as we are too, in part—to show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.		WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're here—as we are too, in part—to show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.

Lisaruth at 22:27, 27 June 2024

2024-06-27T22:27:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 27 June 2024
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	''Photo: Keith Holmes''		''Photo: Keith Holmes''

	WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're ~~here--as~~ we are too, in ~~part--to~~ show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.		WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're here—as we are too, in part—to show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.

	But what about the underlying '''emotional '''reasons? Fear, certainly, and understandably. Moral outrage even. Perhaps a bit of guilt. Somewhere, we feel a lingering love of life and its remaining pleasures, now so overwhelmingly threatened. But are those reasons enough?		But what about the underlying '''emotional '''reasons? Fear, certainly, and understandably. Moral outrage even. Perhaps a bit of guilt. Somewhere, we feel a lingering love of life and its remaining pleasures, now so overwhelmingly threatened. But are those reasons enough?
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	However, we think there are deeper problems, basic flaws in the movement's psychological, political and social strategies.		However, we think there are deeper problems, basic flaws in the movement's psychological, political and social strategies.

	At this point, knocking the Freeze is like trying to shatter a melted icecube. Since the passage of the Freeze in the House., quickly followed by passage of MX and B1 bomber bills, some ex-Freezeniks have come out against U.S. policy in Central America and joined with anti-interventionists. At Port Chicago last July and elsewhere, a coalition has been trying to show the connections between the nuclear buildup and a new gunboat diplomacy.		At this point, knocking the Freeze is like trying to shatter a melted icecube. Since the passage of the Freeze in the House, quickly followed by passage of MX and B1 bomber bills, some ex-Freezeniks have come out against U.S. policy in Central America and joined with anti-interventionists. At Port Chicago last July and elsewhere, a coalition has been trying to show the connections between the nuclear buildup and a new gunboat diplomacy.

	'''THE PROTEST GHETTO '''		'''THE PROTEST GHETTO '''
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	In itself, this is neither altogether avoidable nor necessarily fatal. The danger is that these activists, protesting on behalf of "humanity," "the children," "the biosphere," are often terribly out of touch with the deeper sources of rebellious social movements. These are the "for-themselves" motivations that '''alone '''provoke masses of people to break out of their imposed routines and challenge the status quo.		In itself, this is neither altogether avoidable nor necessarily fatal. The danger is that these activists, protesting on behalf of "humanity," "the children," "the biosphere," are often terribly out of touch with the deeper sources of rebellious social movements. These are the "for-themselves" motivations that '''alone '''provoke masses of people to break out of their imposed routines and challenge the status quo.

	It is not fear that finally impels millions into action, but ~~rage--rage~~ and desire. Rage against the thousand gross and petty humiliations they are subjected to daily at the hands of employers and bureaucrats. Rage at the stupidity of their work and the emptiness of their leisure, at coldness and isolation. Rage against the accelerating destruction of the natural and social environment. Rage against burial in ~~concrete--and~~ desire for meaning, adventure, community, human contact and the awakening of the senses. '''It is not only nukes that menace what is left of life, but the whole structure of modern society, '''beginning with the obsolescent machinery of work-to-pay-to-work which we call "the economy." Only a movement which taps into mass rage and desire by challenging this structure can hope to become strong enough to prevent the catastrophe.		It is not fear that finally impels millions into action, but rage—rage and desire. Rage against the thousand gross and petty humiliations they are subjected to daily at the hands of employers and bureaucrats. Rage at the stupidity of their work and the emptiness of their leisure, at coldness and isolation. Rage against the accelerating destruction of the natural and social environment. Rage against burial in concrete—and desire for meaning, adventure, community, human contact and the awakening of the senses. '''It is not only nukes that menace what is left of life, but the whole structure of modern society, '''beginning with the obsolescent machinery of work-to-pay-to-work which we call "the economy." Only a movement which taps into mass rage and desire by challenging this structure can hope to become strong enough to prevent the catastrophe.

	[[Image:Playing dead1.jpg]]		[[Image:Playing dead1.jpg]]
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	'''NEW WAYS OUT '''		'''NEW WAYS OUT '''

	THE lockstep toward war begins with the acceptance of hierarchical '''social ~~discipline--~~'''on the job, in the polling booth, in the family, in church, in bed. The West German peace movement is as successful as it is partly because its most committed elements know ~~this--they~~ are Hitler's grandchildren. Within, around and beneath the peace movement is a proliferation of challenges to governmental and corporate power.		THE lockstep toward war begins with the acceptance of hierarchical '''social discipline—'''on the job, in the polling booth, in the family, in church, in bed. The West German peace movement is as successful as it is partly because its most committed elements know this—they are Hitler's grandchildren. Within, around and beneath the peace movement is a proliferation of challenges to governmental and corporate power.

	In Berlin, young squatters refuse to pay for housing, claiming it as a right. In Frankfurt, auto workers join senior citizens, teenage punkers, and ecological activists in fighting the construction of a new airport extension that would wipe out the last forest in the area. In these and other cities, the feminist movement creates social space for women to explore their own bodies, desires, imaginations without male interference. In the countryside, the battle against nuclear power continues, in the face of clubs, attack dogs, water cannons, machine guns.		In Berlin, young squatters refuse to pay for housing, claiming it as a right. In Frankfurt, auto workers join senior citizens, teenage punkers, and ecological activists in fighting the construction of a new airport extension that would wipe out the last forest in the area. In these and other cities, the feminist movement creates social space for women to explore their own bodies, desires, imaginations without male interference. In the countryside, the battle against nuclear power continues, in the face of clubs, attack dogs, water cannons, machine guns.

	Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent ~~answers--which~~ is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.		Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent answers—which is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.

	<hr>		<hr>

Lisaruth: brought byline to top

2021-03-30T00:26:53Z

brought byline to top

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:26, 29 March 2021
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	'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Primary Source</font></font> </font>'''		'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Primary Source</font></font> </font>'''

			''–Shock Troupe, 1983''

	[[Image:polbhem1$euromissiles-demo-1983.jpg]]		[[Image:polbhem1$euromissiles-demo-1983.jpg]]
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	Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent answers--which is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.		Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent answers--which is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.

	~~''--Shock Troupe, 1983, San Francisco''~~

	<hr>		<hr>

Ccarlsson: added to anti-war tour

2012-02-19T21:32:55Z

added to anti-war tour

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:32, 19 February 2012
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	''--Shock Troupe, 1983, San Francisco''		''--Shock Troupe, 1983, San Francisco''

			<hr>

			[[Image:Foundsf-anti-war-icon.gif\|link=Let’s Fake a Deal! A History of Arms Control]] [[Let’s Fake a Deal! A History of Arms Control\| Continue Anti-War Tour]]

Ccarlsson at 03:56, 15 November 2011

2011-11-15T03:56:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:56, 14 November 2011
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	[[category:Dissent]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:Literary San Francisco]] [[category:Public Art]] [[category:military]]		[[category:Dissent]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:Literary San Francisco]] [[category:Public Art]] [[category:military]]
			[[category:anti-war]]

Ccarlsson: Protected "Beyond Playing Dead--Playing To Win": primary source [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

2009-01-09T06:06:18Z

Protected "Beyond Playing Dead--Playing To Win": primary source [edit=sysop:move=sysop]

← Older revision	Revision as of 23:06, 8 January 2009
(No difference)

Ccarlsson: PC and protected

2009-01-09T06:06:08Z

PC and protected

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:06, 8 January 2009
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			'''<font face = Papyrus> <font color = maroon> <font size = 4>Primary Source</font></font> </font>'''

	[[Image:polbhem1$euromissiles-demo-1983.jpg]]		[[Image:polbhem1$euromissiles-demo-1983.jpg]]

Ccarlsson at 05:33, 30 August 2008

2008-08-30T05:33:33Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:33, 29 August 2008
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	It is not fear that finally impels millions into action, but rage--rage and desire. Rage against the thousand gross and petty humiliations they are subjected to daily at the hands of employers and bureaucrats. Rage at the stupidity of their work and the emptiness of their leisure, at coldness and isolation. Rage against the accelerating destruction of the natural and social environment. Rage against burial in concrete--and desire for meaning, adventure, community, human contact and the awakening of the senses. '''It is not only nukes that menace what is left of life, but the whole structure of modern society, '''beginning with the obsolescent machinery of work-to-pay-to-work which we call "the economy." Only a movement which taps into mass rage and desire by challenging this structure can hope to become strong enough to prevent the catastrophe.		It is not fear that finally impels millions into action, but rage--rage and desire. Rage against the thousand gross and petty humiliations they are subjected to daily at the hands of employers and bureaucrats. Rage at the stupidity of their work and the emptiness of their leisure, at coldness and isolation. Rage against the accelerating destruction of the natural and social environment. Rage against burial in concrete--and desire for meaning, adventure, community, human contact and the awakening of the senses. '''It is not only nukes that menace what is left of life, but the whole structure of modern society, '''beginning with the obsolescent machinery of work-to-pay-to-work which we call "the economy." Only a movement which taps into mass rage and desire by challenging this structure can hope to become strong enough to prevent the catastrophe.

			[[Image:Playing dead1.jpg]]

			''Illustration: Adam Cornford''

	'''CRAZY LIKE A FOX '''		'''CRAZY LIKE A FOX '''

Ccarlsson at 00:50, 29 August 2008

2008-08-29T00:50:43Z

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	[[“STAY STRONG, THIS WAR IS LONG!” THE BATTLE OF SAN FRANCISCO \|Prev. Document]] [[The Legacy of the SLA \|Next Document]]		[[“STAY STRONG, THIS WAR IS LONG!” THE BATTLE OF SAN FRANCISCO \|Prev. Document]] [[The Legacy of the SLA \|Next Document]]

	[category:Dissent]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:Literary San Francisco]] [[category:Public Art]] [[category:military]]		[[category:Dissent]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:Literary San Francisco]] [[category:Public Art]] [[category:military]]

Ccarlsson at 00:50, 29 August 2008

2008-08-29T00:50:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 28 August 2008
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	'''1983: Protesting the deployment of "euromissiles" (i.e. U.S. cruise missiles) along the Iron Curtain.'''		'''1983: Protesting the deployment of "euromissiles" (i.e. U.S. cruise missiles) along the Iron Curtain.'''

			''Photo: Keith Holmes''

	WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're here--as we are too, in part--to show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.		WHY are you here? We don't mean to insult your intelligence with the obvious. You're here--as we are too, in part--to show your opposition to the deployment of U.S. nuclear missiles in Europe. In addition, we share alarm at what seems to be a general plunge into conventional war in Central America and the middle east.
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	'''THE PROTEST GHETTO '''		'''THE PROTEST GHETTO '''

	THIS effort has been moderately successful. Yet, while it has drawn together thousands of those		THIS effort has been moderately successful. Yet, while it has drawn together thousands of those already active, it has not brought in large numbers of new people. Nor has it broadened and deepened the movement's social base. The U.S. movement continues to be dominated by white, college-educated technical and professional workers (with a good number of dropouts), aged around 25-35.

	already active, it has not brought in large numbers of new people. Nor has it broadened and deepened the movement's social base. The U.S. movement continues to be dominated by white, college-educated technical and professional workers (with a good number of

	dropouts), aged around ~~25_35~~.

	The movement's answer to this problem so far has been outreach to progressive union officials and tacking the demand for Jobs onto the ever-growing list. This piling issue on issue doesn't solve the fundamental problem. The movement has been powered from the beginning primarily by fear and indignation. As emotional fuel, these feelings burn hot, but fast. The initial horror wears off, to be replaced by a creeping numbness, an exhaustion under the barrage of atrocities howling from the headlines. For the seasoned activist, other feelings begin to take precedence. Bitterness is tamped down, along with guilt and defiance, finally becoming force of habit. Protest turns into a way of life. A culture develops around it, a cluster of attitudes and behaviors which isolate the activist from "ordinary" people.		The movement's answer to this problem so far has been outreach to progressive union officials and tacking the demand for Jobs onto the ever-growing list. This piling issue on issue doesn't solve the fundamental problem. The movement has been powered from the beginning primarily by fear and indignation. As emotional fuel, these feelings burn hot, but fast. The initial horror wears off, to be replaced by a creeping numbness, an exhaustion under the barrage of atrocities howling from the headlines. For the seasoned activist, other feelings begin to take precedence. Bitterness is tamped down, along with guilt and defiance, finally becoming force of habit. Protest turns into a way of life. A culture develops around it, a cluster of attitudes and behaviors which isolate the activist from "ordinary" people.
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	Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent answers--which is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.		Not so much a "counter-culture" as a collection of evolving cultural mutations, this movement behind the movement is asking fundamental questions about the nature of social life and how it could be different. It is also coming up with widely divergent answers--which is as it should be. But it knows its enemies, and is not afraid of its own anger. These people are not just "questioning" Authority, they are attacking it. We should be doing no less.

	''--Shock Troupe, 1983, ''San Francisco		''--Shock Troupe, 1983, San Francisco''

	~~Contributors to this page include:~~

	~~''Holmes,Keith - Photographer-Artist~~ ''

	~~Troupe,Shock - Writer~~

	~~Cornford~~,~~Adam - Photographer-Artist~~		[[“STAY STRONG, THIS WAR IS LONG!” THE BATTLE OF SAN FRANCISCO \|Prev. Document]] [[The Legacy of the SLA \|Next Document]]

	[[~~STAY STRONG, THIS WAR IS LONG! THE BATTLE OF SAN FRANCISCO \|Prev. Document~~]] [[~~The Legacy of the SLA \|Next Document~~]]		[category:Dissent]] [[category:1980s]] [[category:Literary San Francisco]] [[category:Public Art]] [[category:military]]