I think it is appropriate that the main complaint from those on the opposing end of Occupy Wall Street is that they can’t figure out what those ‘occupying Wall Street’ really want. This is kind of like how you can’t see the bottom surface of a lake when leaning over the hull, only the boat is a yacht, and the fishes are “common citizens” that are either injured by the very real detriments of the recent US economic turmoil, or morally opposed to one thing or another that has occurred under the governments watch, leadership or policy in the past five years. There are of course those that ramble for the sake of the protest. The latter group can cast an unfortunate shadow over the revolution that this movement pushes for: some kind of restructuring of the bureaucratic hierarchy or in general a shift from capitalism back to a ‘truer’ democracy – however you want to say it – instructions for re-instilling a sense of accountability don’t fit on a poster board.
This story is doubly interesting in relation to two items currently under the magnifying glass in Vancouver this week. Thanks to yesterday’s Social Media discussion on CBC’s the Q, we’re looking at Twitter as a major News source as well as News affecter, increasing ease of mass organization by physically mobile communications and an extremely popular and functional interface. The political charge that keeps this demo alive ties into the motives of our very own Vancouver, Not Vegas Coalition, who, gaining much media coverage of late, aim to see less gambling in our city and less risk-riddled investments in general.
The thoughts and ideas from anyone who cares to comment unravel live on Twitter every minute, creating a news feed direct from the many sources that opinion can derive out of; it offers a far healthier and rapid indicator of the cognitive landscape than a short and repeated news story prior to the next Two and a Half Men. Live streaming video broadcasts to a fluctuating 5000 to 7000 people (last night’s numbers) with a live chat box with real-time responses, highlighting the magnitude of interest in OWS:
My only point of contention from their often solid ‘facts’ is the over-use of the word “THEY.” It’s hard – policy can tie a noose around anyone’s neck long after those who benefitted from it are gone. Solutions are what we need now, and I can’t help but stay anywhere but in the middle ground on this issue.
They have taken our houses through an illegal foreclosure process, despite not having the original mortgage.
They have taken bailouts from taxpayers with impunity, and continue to give Executives exorbitant bonuses.
They have poisoned the food supply through negligence, and undermined the farming system through monopolization.
They have profited off of the torture, confinement, and cruel treatment of countless nonhuman animals, and actively hide these practices.
They have continuously sought to strip employees of the right to negotiate for better pay and safer working conditions.
They have held students hostage with tens of thousands of dollars of debt on education, which is itself a human right.
They purposefully keep people misinformed and fearful through their control of the media.
4Mewla 
