katestarbird.bsky.social profile picture

Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social

This! The right has been so good at giving its constituents a role — something to do — beyond voting. If the left (or whatever is the opposition to Trumpism) wants to compete, it needs to be participatory — ie, it needs to create opportunities for action in both the digital and physical worlds.

jamellebouie.net profile picture

jamelle @jamellebouie.net

what's interesting about this is that it serves the same purpose as trump's rallies — energizing potential supporters and interested people, creating a positive vibe that builds an affective relationship — but is so much more democratic in that it is participatory

Replies

  1. disruptnorms.com profile picture

    Disrupt Norms @disruptnorms.com

    I had a major sad when I asked a state level Dem campaign what I could do to help boost their candidate and their only offer was "give us money." That's not engaging, doesn't build excitement, doesn't create community.

    1
  2. mavwreck.bsky.social profile picture

    Mav Wreck @mavwreck.bsky.social

    I’m not convinced this is the case - or at least, I don’t think it’s the case for the vast majority of Dem voters. They want politics to be something that isn’t all-consuming anymore. They want politicians who don’t start cults of personality.

    1
  4. timothyburke.bsky.social profile picture

    Timothy Burke @timothyburke.bsky.social

    This is so unbelievably important. The left/center keep focusing on "But it's not real!", "But it's disinformation!" and not focusing on "But it's agentive! But it gives participants a sense of meaning and significance!" The counter from the center is passive: "Let the experts handle it."

    0
  5. jimmargolis.bsky.social profile picture

    Jim Margolis @jimmargolis.bsky.social

    It's a truism from the days of direct mail marketing, you got a better response if you required people to do something: put the sticker on the return piece, scratch off the thing to reveal the number, any action that motivated engagement and involvement increased engagement and involvement.

    0
  7. freshhotcoffee27.bsky.social profile picture

    @freshhotcoffee27.bsky.social

    Hold rallies (like Trump has done) in different communities. AOC and Bernie have done this, but make it regular in different communities. Get Newsom and Pritzker to do joint ones. Give people a way to focus and get the message out regularly what Trump is doing, make it hard to media to ignore.

    1
  8. katestarbird.bsky.social profile picture

    Kate Starbird @katestarbird.bsky.social

    Those actions can take on so many forms, from content creation to rallying to protest to performance art. Main ingredients are opportunities for different kinds/levels of participation, improvisation/creativity, visibility (organic spread of the impact and the opportunity), and recognition.

    3
  10. givepeteachance.bsky.social profile picture

    @givepeteachance.bsky.social

    Such a great point. I have wanted to be more active - in a substantive way, not just giving $$ - in the Dem party. But all I ever hear is: "We've got this. Just trust us." And then we lose lose lose.

    0
  14. vtgenie.bsky.social profile picture

    Jeannie Albert @vtgenie.bsky.social

    It's fucking brilliant on so many levels! Not least that many if not most of these folks are going to have a 1st-hand, tangible, non-political experience to share with others that will drive and spread excitement.

    0
  15. monarchdiaries.bsky.social profile picture

    The Monarch Diaries @monarchdiaries.bsky.social

    Yeah. Back in 2016 an old (now ex-) friend told me she was leaning Trump because “it looks like they’re having so much goofy fun”.

    Formerly apolitical, she’s now rancid MAGA. Silver lining is that she’s not having any fun.

    0
  17. ndpkm.bsky.social profile picture

    Kelly H. @ndpkm.bsky.social

    I was musing about this sort of thing with a friend the other day. We were trying to figure out how to make the liberal version of Jack Chick tracts.

    0