33 votes

“Be Water!”: Seven tactics that are winning Hong Kong’s democracy revolution

13 comments

  1. [6]
    umbrae
    Link
    I found this article summarizing some of the tactics the protesters in Hong Kong are using in order to be effective and orderly really fascinating. The mix of tech and low tech social techniques...

    I found this article summarizing some of the tactics the protesters in Hong Kong are using in order to be effective and orderly really fascinating. The mix of tech and low tech social techniques to accomplish a common goal without central leadership seems remarkable.

    11 votes
    1. [4]
      programmerpoet
      Link Parent
      This is amazing. I'm really impressed with this - they're the kind of strategic tactics that can only be made possible with experience. I wonder if something like this (decentralized protests)...

      This is amazing. I'm really impressed with this - they're the kind of strategic tactics that can only be made possible with experience.

      I wonder if something like this (decentralized protests) could happen in America. Seems very improbable though.

      5 votes
      1. [2]
        alyaza
        Link Parent
        i wouldn't say it's improbable, it just needs some very specific circumstances which only come about infrequently. mass movements like this can happen literally anywhere--they generally just need...

        I wonder if something like this (decentralized protests) could happen in America. Seems very improbable though.

        i wouldn't say it's improbable, it just needs some very specific circumstances which only come about infrequently. mass movements like this can happen literally anywhere--they generally just need a catalyst, and the main stumbling block in america is that catalysts which could mobilize mass movements like this are the hard thing to come by when you have so many differing peoples, classes, and conditions in one nation. what motivates a protest in new york or san francisco might not really apply to denver or minneapolis or birmingham and thus is less likely to spread to those places. hong kong on the other hand is not nearly as divergent since it just doesn't have as many people and--while not monolithic--is ultimately pretty similar everywhere, relatively speaking, and so it's a lot easier to have this take place.

        to put it another way: catalysts which motivate people to protest in hong kong like this probably apply to most of the people in hong kong in a way that's not inherently true of the US, and accordingly mass movements in the US--while by no means impossible--have a much harder time spreading since they have to appeal to very different people in very different places.

        5 votes
        1. JakeTheDog
          Link Parent
          Depends on the topic. Occupy was universal. And in this case - if extradition to another country, imposed by that country, was on the table I'm sure it would also be universal to all Americans.

          Depends on the topic. Occupy was universal. And in this case - if extradition to another country, imposed by that country, was on the table I'm sure it would also be universal to all Americans.

      2. Diet_Coke
        Link Parent
        Decentralized protests happened across the US in 2011, in the form of Occupy.

        Decentralized protests happened across the US in 2011, in the form of Occupy.

        4 votes
    2. nothis
      Link Parent
      I've been to a few protests and they seem so petty in comparison. This is a massive, impressively organized thing, it's beautiful to watch. I hope they get something lasting out of it.

      I've been to a few protests and they seem so petty in comparison. This is a massive, impressively organized thing, it's beautiful to watch. I hope they get something lasting out of it.

  2. [2]
    gpl
    Link
    Is it fair to say that protesters are “winning”? I haven’t been following too closely in recent weeks. I know the extradition bill was tabled for a bit, but they are demanding more. Has there been...

    Is it fair to say that protesters are “winning”? I haven’t been following too closely in recent weeks. I know the extradition bill was tabled for a bit, but they are demanding more. Has there been progress on this front? Keeping up such a sustained protest is impressive in any case. I am curious - and nervous - to see how this plays out.

    7 votes
    1. NaraVara
      Link Parent
      It’s definitely too early to call this “winning.” There is still fighting in the streets and little progress from the government. We also have no idea what the long term repercussions will be once...

      It’s definitely too early to call this “winning.” There is still fighting in the streets and little progress from the government. We also have no idea what the long term repercussions will be once the protests themselves die down. For all we know the government is quietly compiling facial recognition data and opening up files on “troublemakers.”

      4 votes
  3. Algernon_Asimov
    Link
    Wow. I'm impressed! This is great work on the protestors' part. Good on 'em!

    Wow. I'm impressed! This is great work on the protestors' part. Good on 'em!

    4 votes
  4. [2]
    asep
    Link
    I wish I could have the same optimism as the rest of you. Unfortunately this protest has greatly disrupted life in Hong Kong although I do agree that it is an important fight that for pro...

    I wish I could have the same optimism as the rest of you. Unfortunately this protest has greatly disrupted life in Hong Kong although I do agree that it is an important fight that for pro democracy but recently it has become unsustainable. I have family who are definitely pro democracy but because their work is being disrupted they're drifting to apathy where they just want it to end now.

    3 votes
    1. JakeTheDog
      Link Parent
      Success requires perseverance. Because of this, I can see the Chinese gov. winning the war.

      Success requires perseverance. Because of this, I can see the Chinese gov. winning the war.

      1 vote
  5. [2]
    nothis
    Link
    I'm feeling bad for being so off topic, but how is this body shape possible?

    I'm feeling bad for being so off topic, but how is this body shape possible?

    1. Deimos
      Link Parent
      Looks like a skinny guy wearing a backpack "backwards" (on his stomach instead of back) and a helmet.

      Looks like a skinny guy wearing a backpack "backwards" (on his stomach instead of back) and a helmet.