Forum Post: How to further the process

The children are being born all over the world right now, as I type. San Diego was exquisitely beautiful tonight. Each new occupation starts with a slap on the ass and a gasp for breath, and then begins to cry for the world it wishes to inhabit. We must support the other occupations, or we are not the 99%, and far from it.

The focus on the movement here in NYC has been a success, but being only one location, it is an easy target. It can (and possibly will) be shoved into nonexistence with brute force in the near future. For the movement to be unstoppable, the fledgling groups in 933 cities (and counting) need support and encouragement. So reach out in your hometown for the new legs of the movement, and support them as you are able.

The 99% does not all live in NYC. Many of the 1% have offices there, but they go somewhere else at night (Connecticut, for example). Many of the 1% never step foot in NYC (why should they). But with 933 (and counting) movements in the USA alone, and others in places as far as Europe, Asia, and South America, it is time to carry the message forward.

So my request is that if you have resources to commit to this movement, consider your own backyard as part of the revolution. Sacramento, Boston, Atlanta, Dallas,... the list goes on and on. All are fighting to find their voices. And watching each emerge is as moving as watching a new child being born.

In particular, the value of having a live feed at these startups cannot be overstated. As humans, we are all voyeurs and budding rockstars by nature. I have watched it first hand now on several occasions. Something about the presence of the camera, even if it is just a webcam, causes each of us to act as though we are being watched (duh).

People adopt the GA process much more readily when the feel the world is watching. They resolve their difference more amicably, and they put aside petty squabbles more readily when told they are on the live stream. They get down to business and do the job, instead of posturing for advantage and squabbling over trivialities.

Perhaps it is the nature of our age, that we all feel like we can be stars and the sky is the limit, now that we are all recording each other for posterity.. But anyway, the fact is that having a live feed with outside observers commenting on the action as it unfolds has been shown to bring out the best in people. I have witnessed this several times around the nation (from afar), and the rest of the world is not far behind.

And isn't it perhaps a bit of poetic justice that the electronic devices which have been given to us, in lieu of all of the things that have been left behind, should be used to document and change the world that foisted them upon us?

Enough philosophy. The startup occupations need adequate video and sound capture gear, and a platform upon which to show the world what they have done. Because they won't do much unless they feel someone is watching (that is human nature). But when the feed is rolling and the chatter is coming in.."Nice hat" "I agree" "What about the cops", etc, etc. this gives folks a sense that what they do is connected with the rest of the world.

So this is a plea to any and all that have economic resources, or time and expertise, to contribute toward taking this thing beyond NYC. Live video feeds at the startups is a necessary tool for bringing this movement from Wall St. to Main St. Pick a city of your choice: Occupy Together lists 933 cities (and counting) that have joined the fray in the USA alone. And these are boots on the ground and butts on the line right now, not some abstract intangible ideals. A week from now, they will get tired and go home, without some encouragement. That is also human nature.