Internet Activism

goodmod · 2018-12-17T07:39:44+00:00

Since we're here, I might as well add some more stuff. Things we can do include:

Creating and organising activist groups for proper action. We need to form support groups and activist lobbies for everything, just like the feminists did. That's one of the most important things at this stage. Getting organised.
Comments on public forums and news articles where others can see. This is a good example of one you could use yourself. For comment use, it can be good to keep a supply of replies to common misandrist rants in a text file. Just copy and paste, then edit to suit the individual circumstances. Always keep in mind that the entire point of an Internet argument is not to convince your opponent. It's to convince the people who are reading and not posting - there are about a hundred times more of those.
Personal meetings with representatives
Personal meetings with the staff of representatives. I was one of those staff, and I had more personal influence than some actual politicians.
Personal paper letters to politicans, political staff, advertisers and media. Here is a handy table of relevant statistics and resources Here's another info site. Both are new and currently not fully verified - I would appreciate it if someone who has the time would give it a look.
Phone calls to the above
Emails to the above. Example.
Donations to organised groups, helping out, and so on.

I've left street demonstrations off the list, because their effectiveness is extremely uncertain. A million people marching would get attention,a couple of people with signs might get laughed at. But don't let that discourage you; each person who becomes aware is a victory - and you have to start somewhere. Personally, I don't attend these very often because I think they're not all that useful, but your mileage may vary.

There are other aspects that I might discuss later, but don't have the time for today. However, these are the things that work. More on activism.

Edit: There are some cases where petitions may help, but as wisty said, it's usually when the media are friendly to the cause. And most of the media are not friendly to ours, though I expect this to change over time. It's already starting.

So I'm not saying never sign a petition. I've signed a few myself. What I am saying is don't stop there - do one or more of the other things too.

Edit 2: I've changed and added a few things in this post.In particular, I've uprated and expanded the section about comments in public forums, because I remembered that was the main reason the MRM actually started to go mainstream. I cannot overstate the importance of putting our points on public forums where random silent readers can see them. Also this is relevant.

Edit 3: Some people are worried that we lack leadership, money and lobbying power. Don't worry about that. You only need a small intelligent and disciplined core group that can gradually begin to shift public opinion. Small example.

Then there'll be the less dedicated activists and those who come and go, but they will serve their purpose too.

Once you begin to get enough of these, public opinion will slowly shift. More donations and votes will come as the movement begins to go viral and its memes replicate themselves.

A few years later, you'll have all that good lobby power and the ability to actually change things.

Consider the history of feminism. It went through exactly that process. So did most other successful social movements. I think it will be much faster this time.

Despite the slowing effect of generational change, the Internet will speed things up dramatically. It already has.

Persistence and patience are the keys to success.

Edit 4: Some more points about online commenting-

1) You control the discussion. Stay on your point and don't let them derail you. If you have to, pull the conversation back on track.

2) Ignore all of the garbage and try to find genuine points in the replies. Pretend they never said the nonsense and personal attacks.

3) Make sure you understand what they are saying. Repeat their point of view back to them so that they agree with it.

4) Find the real point of disagreement and label it as such. EG I think we disagree about X. You think Y and I think Z.

What the MRM needs is a legally registered not-for-profit that can collect funds and disburse them to good projects. It would have to be subject to public audits to ensure honesty.

There are individual activist groups in various parts of the world, but no foundation whose sole purpose is funding. I don't have the knowledge to set one up, but surely someone does.

Another thing we should be doing is leaving bequests in our wills. Even if most of the inheritance goes to friends and family, there should be enough for a decent sized donation to men's rights groups.

I advise all activists to join MHRAconnect which is a site designed for organizing projects such as this. It's small right now, but active members will build it up.

When you sign up, please browse the other projects to see if you are interested.

Lupinfujiko · 2018-12-16T15:22:18+00:00

I like it. I agree.

Unfortunately, most of us have been banned from venue where we were making ground.

/r/Canada has come under control of a regime of left-wing censorship. They have targeted everyone who respectfully argues against the narrative, and they abused their position as mods to censor these users.

If we aren't allowed into the spaces where lurkers lurk, how are we supposed to be able to turn public opinion?

Censorship is the issue we are dealing with right now. There are many in the public who are willing to listen. But nefarious, corrupt mods are preventing that exchange from happening.

Red-Lantern · 2018-12-16T01:35:36+00:00

Good point. I'll add that the more people that comment, the better. Opposing opinions expressed in a logical and even headed manner plays well with the general public. Comedy and crass humor has its place too. Especially so when it comes to disheartening and frustrating subjects. Here is one of the only places that we can vent so expect some low brow statements that cone from justified anger.

Male_Positive · 2018-12-16T17:24:47+00:00

You make good points.

I have been associated with the Men's Movement for nearly as long as you and have tried many things: making You Tube videos, a dozen or so outdoor demonstrations, putting up hundreds of posters, writing to gov organizations such as to include men in DV stats, attending public forums such as the Police annual public consultations, letters to the editor etc. Nothing worked really well, but it was all worth it.

Forums are criticized as "singing to the choir", but they actually do good work.

Kai126 · 2018-12-16T17:08:36+00:00

Great post! I wholeheartedly agree with your stance, and the ideas proposed are very nice.

In debating on the Internet, we should always keep in mind the that for everyone talking, there are hundreds listening. Those silent lurkers are our real target, not the person we're arguing against.

We should always remain civil and on-topic, because it makes our opponents look bad by contrast.

Instead, restrain your emotions and put forward the best argument you can, secure in the knowledge that this is the best way to disarm our opponents and advance our cause.

Insults fail because they contain no useful information.

I couldn't agree more with these statements. All very useful reminders. Feels almost Martin Luther King-esque, lol.
If you are the mod of this subreddit, it's in good hands!

furchfur · 2018-12-17T08:57:53+00:00

Yes a good post and correct.

I think that there is a lot of evidence that western society is taking men's right more seriously much to the annoyance of feminists.

Just the way that the feminist press tries to ridicule men's rights and why they are trying to always move the conversation back to women.

Not only men's rights but they have the trans community posing a risk to the privileged position that women have in society.

Just keep up the good work and get the message out. I do see society changing its attitude to men.

Title	Internet Activism
Author	goodmod
Upvotes	59
Comments	10
Date	December 16, 2018 12:47 AM UTC (7 years ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/a6knc2/internet_activism/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/internet-activism.888249 https://theredarchive.com/post/888249

Comments