Putin has a weak spot and we can use it against him. We have a potent weapon at our disposal, and a point of leverage that’s a force-multiplier. We can all do our part and even have fun doing it. It’s lawful, nonviolent, and easy. Read on…
Over the past couple of years I’ve been reading articles, and watching videos, by Yale historian Timothy Snyder (his books are on my reading list). He is a recognized expert on The Holocaust and on Russian history. His ideas deserve more attention here, and eventually I’ll find time to post more about them. Today I’ll focus on the implications of one of them:
In his recent speeches, Snyder frequently makes the point that in Russia there is no “succession plan” for who will lead after Putin is no longer on the scene, and that the very topic itself is a Big Taboo.
In Russia, “one does not speak of it.”
Speech-taboos (unspoken no-talk rules) are signs of vulnerabilities. The reason “one does not speak of something,” is because doing so will in some way challenge or upset the balance of social, political, and/or economic power.
That means we can and should exploit the hell out of this.
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All we have to do is unleash the simple meme: “Life after Putin,” or expressed as a question, “Who comes after Putin?” After it goes viral, it can be shortened to “who comes next?”
Turn the Russian succession issue into a worldwide viral meme. Get people talking about it. Bring it up in online conversations, blog posts, and “social media.” Mention it in tweets. If you’re fluent in any European languages, spread it in European forums. If you’re fluent in Russian, use their own “social media” platforms (be safe: get your anti-malware software up to date!). If you get into conversations, go into depth about issues around succession of leadership.
For example you can ask people in Europe what their friends in Russia think will happen after Putin. Some of the folks reading that will indeed have friends in Russia, and a few of them might ask.
The more it goes around, the more it gets around. Eventually it percolates into Russia and becomes “a thing.”
The goal is to get people “on the street” in Russia talking about it. Get them thinking about life after Putin. Once they start talking & thinking about it, they will eventually find a way to bring it about. Guaranteed.
Life under Putin sucks, and one of his tricks is to discourage thinking about “the future” because his version of “the future” is “more of the same.” But everyone wants a future that’s better than the present. Envisioning a better future is the necessary first step toward bringing it about.
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To do this right, we need to do it primarily in casual tones, and occasionally in tones of heartfelt concern. Not sarcasm, not taunting, just matter-of-fact and routine.
To that, add hopefulness or at least optimism, as in, hopes for real democracy and greatness in Russia, rather than the present oligarchical kakistocracy and its enforced mediocrity.
The “who comes next?” meme is so innocuous on its face, and can be expressed in so many different combinations of words, that it’s impossible to stop once it gets rolling. It uses some of the most common words in every language, so it can’t be stopped by algorithmic censorship.
It has enough plausible deniability that its use in common conversation can’t be targeted effectively for persecution. Any attempt to stop it will only produce the Streisand Effect, spreading it further and faster. It’s an innocent little question with potentially large consequences.
OK tigers, go out and get him!
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G2G’s rules of the road: In stories I post, fact-based and reasoned criticism is always welcome and encouraged. However, “pre-emptive defeatism” such as emotional aspersions lacking in substance, should be considered a violation of the DBAD rule and flagged, particularly if it occurs among the first comments (“pounce & poop”, pounce on the story and poop all over it).
We are activists, not defeatists.
We make change. We make history. Now let’s make Russian history.