How to win, from the new science of protest. Violence seldom pays; be cohesive not mixed in your demands; benefit from visible oppression; be marginal

Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash The Alternative – 27 September 2024 Very interesting article from Psyche, on the “new science of social change”, which gives protestors and activists the data that can help them win. A short extract below (posted under fair use terms). [Donate to Psyche here.] Protesters today have an opportunity. They can claim more victories…

SEE | Spectacular Southern Lights on display across SA – again

The Southern Lights from Robertson on 11 October. (Supplied/ Loreza Mostert). William Brederode – 11 October 2024 The Aurora Australis, known as the Southern Lights, could be seen from across South Africa again in the early hours of Friday morning after a massive cloud of plasma spewed out from an active region of the sun…

The idea of a “public diner” has much historical precedent – and leads the way to a better food culture for the future

Hawker Centre, Singapore – a model for Public Diners The Alternative – 29 August 2024 Food has been the basis of many of the imaginative community initiatives featured in these pages (see this tag). Here’s a strong-minded report/proposal [PDF] from the food activist charity Nourish Scotland, advocating for “public diners”, provided by the state (or subsidised thereby). Their blog runs: Public…