Communicating with the apathetic

[tirade]

What is the best way to convince someone that a different political system is possible when consumerist propaganda has completely brainwashed a generation.
People are difficult, all they like to talk about are material possesions. Don't get me wrong, i've tried simplification of LTV, highlighted inequality...they know the facts but honestly don't display any concern.
I'll say "you know everyone in the West owns a couple of slave's, these are childeren we're talking about, thing's haven't changed the consequences are just disconnected" Rarely does anyone display interest.
What do you say to these people?

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

Its (very) hard to convince somone to turn into a communist within a fifteen minuites debate or so. But just leave the option open for them and make it clear also find something you can work with (such as them getting underpaid or bullied by their boss).

[rouchambeau]

Try talking about things that have to do with the everyday life of the people you are engaging.

[spice756]

What is the best way to convince someone that a different political system is possible when consumerist propaganda has completely brainwashed a generation.



The problem is people think communism came and is gone.And communism and socialism is evile and will not work.And capitalism is democracy and talk about Stalin and North Korea:( Than the they go on about it works on people but not in real life and that it is dead.

Too much red scare and US propaganda.What I would do it move them to the left than they may be easier to understand it.If they are conservative or more center than explain very left liberal and social democratic views than it is easier to get them to move to communism and socialism .

[Mindtoaster]

Its hard to get some people interested in politics *of any form* when their way of life isn't threatened. With the coming economic collapse, it will probably naturally get a hell of a lot easier.

[freakazoid]

i think there are a few reasons. People are taught that communism is evil and is tyranny, and that anarchy is chaos. Also that people don't simply care about politics as long as they get there American Idol and such, the media is used to make the people not care about politics. But I agree with Mindtoaster that this coming economics collapse will make people a whole lot more susceptive to different radical ideas. Now the only problem is that it could go either towards a fascist state or a communist/anarchist one.

[tirade]

Usually involves caressing the persons ego for a while before you can burrow in there and play with it, and to be honest, don't have the time or patience for that right now. Anyone have any effective one, two maybe three liners to get them thinking?

[Vendetta]

Start with simple stuff; draw them in gradually, not all at once. Focus on issues they may be interested in from the get-go.

[Comrade Wolfie's Very Nearly Banned Adventures]

Flags flares and rifles!

[Red Anarchist of Love]

find some thing they are intrested in and expand. find thing they claim to belive ask the right questions

[tirade]

The kind of mentality i'm referring to, has no hope for self-initiated change.
The state of the economy or environment is irrelevant even when it does effect them 'cos there's an understanding that it's the governments responsibility and there's a barrier protecting them from what they can't see.
More to the point, how did you come across your epiphany?

[spice756]

The state of the economy or environment is irrelevant even when it does effect them 'cos there's an understanding that it's the governments

There is no left learning in school,on TV or radio :cursing:so that is why people born in the US are not active and pro-capitalism.

And the media and all the propaganda blame the problem on the left and government not capitalism.That is why people in the US are so for the free-market.

Look at Michael Moore want really has he done nothing.None of his movies help the people because no matter the facts or left views.People will be Pro-capitalism and anti-left.It is a culture problem not a reason problem.

And the culture problem is very hard to remove.

[Black Sheep]

I suppose that in the US you will make a person an anarchist much easier than turning him into a communist,since they,too, think the 'State' is the devil (remnants of anti-sovietism).

[spice756]

I suppose that in the US you will make a person an anarchist much easier than turning him into a communist,since they,too, think the 'State' is the devil (remnants of anti-sovietism).

I don't think the state can be evile if done right.But the state can be evile if done wrong.

If there are laws and protocols in place to stop the state to be evile.There are 2 things :)the people fear of government or government fear of people .

In the US people fear the government .

[Lenin's Law]

What is the best way to convince someone that a different political system is possible when consumerist propaganda has completely brainwashed a generation.
People are difficult, all they like to talk about are material possesions. Don't get me wrong, i've tried simplification of LTV, highlighted inequality...they know the facts but honestly don't display any concern.
I'll say "you know everyone in the West owns a couple of slave's, these are childeren we're talking about, thing's haven't changed the consequences are just disconnected" Rarely does anyone display interest.
What do you say to these people?

I believe that the most important factor in radicalizing the masses will be events themselves: look at what the Iraq War did to many young people all across the world as well as what the Wall Street bailout is doing, that's a great starting point as most people realize the inherent unfairness of giving rich, millionaire CEOs and their companies government money while preaching austerity, sacrifice , non-government interference and the "wonders" of the free market for average, working people.

I think from there you can immediately get into questions like "How democratic is it to award a bailout of these companies? When did you vote to approve this? Do you know anyone that lost their job recently? Oh really? And what "bailout" did the government give to them?"

I'm sure you get the idea.

[Bastable]

The question is a big problem I have in my area. It's difficult to convince a heterosexual white male of the evils of capitalism while he's sitting on a comfy lounge with the air conditioning going watching a big screen plasma TV and sipping ice cold lemonade.

try taking them out of their comfort zone and confront them with the "inconvenient truths" (to steal from Al Gore) of capitalism.

[Comrada J]

You'll need to tailor your content and keep it simple. Remember, teenagers, especially in the 21st century are apathetic by nature, so don't waste too much time on them. Jokes and humor can be a great way to get a message across, the daily show would be a good source for this. If you continue to have trouble you may want to study communication and the laws of persuasion or find another way to help the cause. You don't want to waste your time preaching to the death.

[Sprinkles]

What is the best way to convince someone that a different political system is possible when consumerist propaganda has completely brainwashed a generation.
People are difficult, all they like to talk about are material possesions. Don't get me wrong, i've tried simplification of LTV, highlighted inequality...they know the facts but honestly don't display any concern.
I'll say "you know everyone in the West owns a couple of slave's, these are childeren we're talking about, thing's haven't changed the consequences are just disconnected" Rarely does anyone display interest.
What do you say to these people?

People are apathetic about things because they feel they can't change them. The idea that people are brainwashed by consumerism is an erronous notion, since everyone likes to have nice things.

Communism isn't about asceticism or ethical consumerism. Just try to engage them in an honest conversation, if they don't want to and aren't interested, well then leave it at that.

[Incendiarism]

Turn on the charm. Nobody forgets a charming communist.