The OWS movement is fated to be ineffective because it lacks focus. Large numbers of people show up to complain about such a wide variety of matters that no message really comes through. What if institutionalism — the belief that political, corporate, religious, educational, and other established systems that presume the priority of their interests over those of individuals — were to be seen as the threat to human well-being? Instead of complaining about isolated government programs or agencies, the Occupiers could voice opposition to the entire institutional order! And instead of standing in streets and parks for days at a time, they might consider employing “flash mobs” as peaceful means of communication. What if, in one city after another, and at times likely to get the most attention, large numbers of people were to instantly gather in front of a federal building, corporate office, university, or other institution and emulate the practice seen on a number of YouTube videos: peacefully dancing and singing an orchestrated, liberating message — perhaps “We Shall Overcome” could be resurrected. After 4 or 5 minutes of such a performance, the “flash mob” would disperse, its participants returning from whence they had come. By the time the institutional enforcement bullies found out about and descended upon the scene, the entire ceremony would be over; SWAT teams would find nothing but empty streets to gas, pepper-spray, and barricade!

The Best of Butler Shaffer