@kamalaharrisforpresidentnews Many people on fedi who are the exact kinds of people the harris campaign is desperately trying to reach, young queer people, run non-masto software, precisely because their needs failed to be met by the "one-size-fits-al...

[bluewaver22@genomic.social]

@katanova Oh, ffs....really? Half the people on Mastodon don't understand how it works...you want a Harris or Trump admin? Once she gets in, THEN complain. Come on. Trump will lock queer people in camps....Harris will listen and fight for all rights. Purity politics has continually killed Democratic movements. Let's not now when so much is at stake

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 I understand that you're afraid that if we're not united enough, that the campaign will fail.

we're here on mastodon to reach more people. The process is the objective. "shut up and get in line" is just about the least compelling motivator for anyone to engage with the political process. I would hope that more people would have learned that by now.

I am supportive. This is feedback that is relevant for reaching *anyone*, not just particular people on fedi.

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 Fear has driven politics for the past several decades. We will not change how things work by feeding the same fear, by continuing to tell people that the bad men will get them if they don't support the right side.

Me and every one of my queer friends have been hearing that for the last decade. It doesn't work. It doesn't motivate people to action.

What motivates people to action is feeling like they are heard and understood, not feeling like they're being told to fall into line.

[bluewaver22@genomic.social]

@katanova It's not FEAR; it's reality and practicality

[bluewaver22@genomic.social]

@katanova So you be you.....did you vote for Jill Stein in 2016 to go against Hillary? How did that turn out?

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 following this line of reasoning when you're talking with people who have very specific lived experiences, this sounds like "I know what's good for you better than you do, so listen to me and do what I say"

I'm telling you I support the campaign and I understand how people work. For the exact same reason you're frustrated that I'm seemingly not getting the point and clear logic of what you're saying, the people who most need to hear it will not listen; that you think I don't get it

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 I understand that you think you know who I am, and you're feeling compelled to build up an some idea of who I am to argue against.

In 2016 I lived in Washington, so my vote for president was irrelevant, and also, I was pretty focused at the time on meeting my basic needs, so didn't have the spare energy to engage with politics.

This is the reality of the people that would most benefit from progressive policies.

[bluewaver22@genomic.social]

@katanova OK, but there are other ways to reach people than this platform....so let's agree to disagree on the strategy and I did not mean to come off as telling you what's good for you...but as you know....GOP have continually voted for candidates that hurt them...3rd party voters hv continually shot themselves in the foot with their "protest votes." That's all I'm saying. Purity politics is never an answer...I'm a long time political researcher, strategist etc...it's not fear. Thks for convo

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 As a longtime political researcher, have you ever conducted research on individuals who were formerly committed anarchists who later commit themselves to supporting a political party?

This is my life. I know what would have reached me when I didn't think anyone cared, and every authority was inevitably abusive and exploitative.

I know what the reasons are to fight now. Those talking points are the ones to preach to the choir.

I'm talking about preaching to the people who need it.

[bluewaver22@genomic.social]

@katanova Ok, thank you and I'm glad to get your perspective and I know it sounds harsh...there's just never been a more consequential election so I'm sorry if I'm stuck on that point but I want your views and am happy we had this discussion. I'm not one who isn't open to looking at things a different way. Thank you for giving me a different perspective and engaging. That's what we need more of in this world in general!

[nsalwen@mstdn.social]

@katanova Hi, I hear your frustration here. I want you to know that, as a random listener, I appreciate that you are involved now, and I understand why that might have been different in the past.

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 Is a democracy that fails to meet people's needs worth fighting for? People need to believe that things are going to get better to feel like it's worthwhile to put in the effort. It's true that right now, we're focused on trying to prevent things from getting worse

I know that it's important. These are the skills I have. I know how to reach the people who feel the most hopeless.

We cannot persuade hopeless people to engage with the world through fear; we can with empathy and hope

[katanova@social.coop]

@NSalwen Ah, thanks. I appreciate that.

Everyone has a story. It took me a long time to understand my own story.

Most people need a little help to understand their own story. I think the key to reaching all those undecided voters is to help them understand their story.

The path is the destination: a world where people feel understood, cared about, and where they feel like their voice and efforts matter. We can only reach that world through making efforts to make it real here and now.

[bhawthorne@infosec.exchange]

@katanova @kamalaharrisforpresidentnews Katanova, do you mind if I chime in with a supportive parallel view from progressives unsatisfied with the Democratic Party?

[katanova@social.coop]

@BlueWaver22 I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me. I think this is where politics matters, and what makes the world worth living in; sharing experiences and perspectives, and arriving at some shared understanding, or at least an appreciation and respect for someone else's perspectives.

[krafttea@mastodon.social]

@katanova @BlueWaver22 *"Is a democracy that fails to meet people's needs worth fighting for?"*

What have the Romans ever done for us?!

[katanova@social.coop]

@bhawthorne I welcome it. As a fellow dissatisfied leftist, I'm sure there's a lot you have to say that I'll agree with.

@kamalaharrisforpresidentnews

[katanova@social.coop]

@KraftTea You're trying to convince me. I'm already a supporter. I'm going canvassing in 110 degree heat tomorrow.

The question isn't a question I want people to answer to me because I personally think that our society isn't worth fighting for.

It's a rhetorical question, think it through to understand how to reach the people who feel hopeless.

Again, "you'll lose everything you care about" isn't a good motivator unless it's directly preceded by empathy, a connection.

@BlueWaver22

[Guest]

@katanova @KraftTea @BlueWaver22

Katanova and people like them is why i bother with the dems at all; lectures repulse me

[katanova@social.coop]

@HarbingerOfSalem Thank you for supporting my argument, that empathy is the path to convincing those not already convinced.

@KraftTea @BlueWaver22