The Case Against Lifestyle Politics

Anti-hippy.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• rubbleofempires
• rubble
• of
• empires

[nails3jesus0]

You have created a false dichotomy between radical politics and lifestyle politics. There isn't one. You can do both. Now provide a good reason NOT to do both. I will be impressed then.

[rubbleofempires]

@nails3jesus0 The fact that you said 'you can do both' indicates to me that you didn't understand the video. I explicitly said in the video that it's not about what you are doing, but why you are doing it and what effect you think it's having. So it's an ideological difference. I then explained how the ideology of lifestyle politics hinders the development of radical politics.

[AntiLoquaxx]

thank you; i needed to hear this today.

[rubbleofempires]

@AntiLoquaxx Yeah, I feel ya. I need to hear this everyday.

[jimmutennodesu]

Have you read Lierre Keith's Vegetarian Myth? She makes a lot of the same points you do about lifestyle politics.

[rubbleofempires]

@jimmutennodesu yeah, I have it's pretty good.

[SyKmGl]

Nice. Love your videos.

[juliaisafilmbuff123]

To the people claiming "false dichotomy": he isn't making one. All he's saying is that most "lifestyle activism" (i.e. veganism or "green living") is ineffective and doesn't get to the root of the issue which is the overall system. We need more direct action which involves our communities and which directly challenges authority, not vain changes to lifestyle which give us a placebo effect or which give us "street cred". So yeah, less vegan BBQs, more squatting.

[KellyPosey]

Great explanation, thanks

[NoMoreSunsets]

This has to be one of the greatest videos on Youtube! You have taken something I've been thinking for a long time but have solidified my thoughts. Excellent!

[thestreetsempty]

You present a false dichotomy. Thus, your argument isn't applicable to reality. You can't be an isolated lifer, just as you can't be an edgy corporate. You must live by your convictions, form communities, and educate the public.

But come on. Being a total hypocritical edgy corporate fuck is way more damaging than an hermit lifestyler. At least one is trying to abstain from being a little consumerist monster. Everyone is of the system, but we must strive to reject it rather than wallowing in it.

[disqair]

Is Special Interest Group politics a form of Lifestyle activism in that it does not attack the root of the problem but only some limited and isolated set of effects without ever questioning the "dominant culture"s more essential dogma?

For example, Voting for Sarah Palin, or Not voting for Sarah Palin, as a statement of feminism. Lifestyle Politics, or not?