A decade of indecisive occupation

When I started writing this piece, the focus was on how Occupy Brisbane absolutely fail with their PR. They can criticise the public all they want for being brainwashed; but if they can’t win the support of the public, that is failure – no matter how you try cover it up with hippie-speak.

Why don’t you and other go seek the information [...] or do you need some one to hold your hand, like a politician, corporate spokesperson, ideological / theological informer?

But that all changed after spending some time on their very interesting Facebook page.

I admit it, I was supportive of the Occupy Brisbane movement in the beginning. Seeing someone protest with so much passion is rare here in Brisbane – and Queensland in general. But as I was covering the movement for a local paper I had to stay objective. Not letting my personal views corrupt what I saw and experienced when visiting their camp.

Something happened to the movement after they got evicted from their first camp in Postoffice Square. To be honest, I’m not really sure what happened – did something scare them during the eviction?

There is now two Occupy Brisbane movements. The original Occupy Brisbane followers are occupying in Musgrave Park, far away from the city centre, far away from anyone to really take notice of them. Which is probably why they are left alone now by the police. While Occupy Brisbane 2.0, as they call themselves, are only occupying cyberspace to re-group.

It’s not the split that is worrying me, it’s how some of the supporters of the movement act on the Facebook pages of both Occupy Brisbane movements. If you support them, they will shower you with admiration, but if you dare to question their intentions, motives or even just ask what they are really about – prepare yourself for a shitstorm of vitriol flung in your general direction.

Unfortunately it gets worse.

Occupy Brisbane claims to be a supportive protest for the main Occupy Wall Street protest. Which is all nice and well, but that sentiment ends up in the shadow of the craziness they allow to be posted on their pages under the Occupy Brisbane name.

A few anti-vaxxers are starting to spruik their views on how dangerous they claim vaccines are. Trying to back up their claims with their own personal opinions and experiences. Their camp also has 9/11 truthers and supporters; and allow posts on their Facebook page about conspiracy theories regarding Tesla and his writings, that has been allegedly confiscated by the CIA. Not forgetting a person who believes and claims to have proof that Obama went to Mars once as a teenager.

Do these [hopefully] few represent all in the Occupy Brisbane movement?

Of course they don’t, but being part of the movement and spruiking their fringe views under the Occupy Brisbane banner they will be seen as speaking on the behalf of the group.

This is what the public sees and is most likely why they are hesitant to support Occupy Brisbane.
Sorry to say this, but this is what democracy looks like – the public has been given an option and has made their choice. Deal with it! Forcing people to follow and support Occupy Brisbane has nothing to do with democracy. That is more in the lines of fascism.

Those who don’t like the occupy movement need to buckle up tho, because according to a self-claimed genius at the Occupy Brisbane camp, Wayward Septic, this occupation will go on for another ten years.

Dokter what ever change happens, it will be more likely over the next ten years, and from many angles. But unsurprisingly after many generations of advertising et al, the majority of consumer mindsets out there, have to have it today.

I’m not a religious man, but if this chaotic indecisiveness will go on for that long,
God help us all.