Zen protest

[blimix]

So I finally went out picketing downtown with my silly face sign (from two weeks ago).

People's reactions, semichronologically:

• Most people just smiled.
  
• Some (in "ignore everybody and everything" mode) didn't notice.
  
• At Empire State Plaza, two state troopers drove very slowly past me. The one whom I could see was grinning.
  
• On Madison Avenue, a group of small children smiled and laughed. One asked, "What does that sign mean?"
  I said, "It means, ‘Have a silly day!'"
  A few seconds after we had passed each other, he called back, "Have a silly day, mister!"
  I turned and replied, "Thanks! Same to you!"
  
• On S. Pearl Street, a cyclist smiled and shouted, "Heyyyy!" I replied in kind.
  
• On State Street (across from the Capitol Building), a police officer on a bicycle stopped and questioned me. I took on a friendly, comfortable, helpful and slightly jovial manner (not much of a stretch for me), to keep him out of an adversarial frame of mind.
  Him [calling loudly from several yards away]: What's the sign say?
  I stepped back from the curb, turning to see who was calling to me.
  Him [closer but still with a commanding tone]: What's the sign say?
  Me [approaching and turning the sign toward him]: Nothing.
  Him: What does it mean?
  Me: That's an exercise for the reader. It could mean, "Have a silly day," or it could be a Zen protest.
  Him: What's Zen?
  Me: Well, that's really difficult to describe. It's a form of Buddhism in which people are encouraged to think differently by being presented with things that make no sense.
  (Of course, I know that doesn't define Zen; I merely gave him a simple context within which to grasp (or more likely dismiss) the utility of the sign.)
  Him: Where do you live?
  Me: Uptown. (I stifled the impulse to ask, "And you?")
  Him: Are you alone?
  Me: Yes. (I assume that he wished to know whether there was an organized demonstration, requiring a permit. The fact that there aren't others like me out there must have reassured him (as well as the rest of the world).)
  Him: Okay. Have a nice day.
  Me: Thank you! Are you having a pleasant day?
  Him: Yes.
  Me: Glad to hear it!
  
• Back in Empire State Plaza, a couple of women (state workers on break, most likely) called out to me.
  Worker: I like your sign!
  Me: Thanks!
  Worker: What is it?
  Me: It's nothing, really.
  Worker: Don't say that; it's not nothing.
  Me: It doesn't have a meaning of its own; it means whatever you want it to mean.
  Worker: I think it means "‘Phhbtbt' to your job!"
  Me: Hey, that's good! I like that more than the ones I've come up with.
  Worker: Heh. Bye! I admire your individuality!
  Me: Thanks! Bye!

I've had in mind other meaning than those mentioned, of course.

A thought on picket signs: I could put any serious opinion on one. I've even come up with some trite yet poignant slogans. Everybody who agrees with me would nod or voice encouragement. Everybody who disagrees would look away or insult me. And in the end, nobody's mind would be changed; I'd just be blowing smoke out of my ass. But on the other hand, I can't just sit back and do nothing, can I? Certainly, not getting out there at all won't help anything. So here I am, picketing with a silly face on a sign.

The above rationale exists only to exhibit a playful absurdity which would yet be difficult for the average person to argue against at a moment's notice. You could take it as a subtle commentary on the plight of the average citizen trying to make their voice heard, but only if you were a dry old fart. (Better an old dry fart than an old wet fart.)

What's the real reason? I think that everybody who smiled as soon as they saw my sign got it. It's silly and funny. That's why. (And as a nice bonus, I got to walk around and make lots of people smile!)

In totally unrelated news, here's a nice picture of the path on Blueberry Hill. I went back there yesterday to explore the blue and yellow trails.

Comments

[eirias.livejournal.com]

I like your picketing strategy. :)
Maybe when someone comes by campaigning for money, we should print out fake money bearing that face in lieu of a president...

[(Anonymous)]

Oh! You are so crazy!! (I love it.)

:-D

-Kara

*grinning*

[light-in-motion.livejournal.com]

I'm flummoxed. I'm furiously flipping through my vocabulary looking for words to express how outrageously cool I think this is. I ain't findin' any. It'll have to wait until the next time I hug you.

[upsilon.livejournal.com]

"Everybody who agrees with me would nod or voice encouragement. Everybody who disagrees would look away or insult me. And in the end, nobody's mind would be changed; I'd just be blowing smoke out of my ass."

Except of course, somewhat sadly, that's not strictly true. People are sheep. If they see other people expressing an opinion, they'll be at least a little more likely to go along with or at least seriously consider that opinion. The more examples of that opinion they see, the more seriously they'll take it. Which is the goal behind mass protests -- they actually do change some minds.

So I think you ought to get a couple of dozen people together with similar signs for a group "protest". Though you might have to get a permit for it?

[blimix.livejournal.com]

I agree that my "logic" about picketing is incorrect. Hence the disclaimer afterward. Although I'm not sure it accomplishes much even with respect to those who do not have firm convictions. For many people, it is easy to dismiss a protester who is clearly passionate about a subject (which doesn't interest the viewer) as a kook. It is *very* easy to remain ignorant and uncaring.

Yes, I'd love to do this with more people. I just searched the local ordinances, and from what I can tell, they only require permits for groups of twenty-five or more. (But I'll bet that many city police don't know that, so I'll take along a copy of the relevant code if we do march together.)

[eirias.livejournal.com]

Except of course, somewhat sadly, that's not strictly true. People are sheep. If they see other people expressing an opinion, they'll be at least a little more likely to go along with or at least seriously consider that opinion. The more examples of that opinion they see, the more seriously they'll take it. Which is the goal behind mass protests -- they actually do change some minds.

That actually depends pretty heavily on which people. Some people appear to be anti-sheep; the sight of people doing something obnoxious (e.g. picketing) in the name of Cause X can turn them firmly against Cause X. I know someone whose own political views are pretty moderate (social left, economic right) but who now pretty much hates anything with the word "liberal" attached because the political behavior of just about every liberal in town is unreflective and impolite :/.