Would DU be interested in a strategic reading list, or a strategy group?

[LoZoccolo]

I've seen some interesting talk here about how Obama is maneuvering, different theories about how he's "playing chess", as well as a lot of complaints that I think aren't grounded in a knowledge of how a greater strategy is being pursued. There is a huge body of work on strategy, political or otherwise, that I think anyone who is an activist should get their feet wet in. You can be sure that the politicians, or at least the political consultants, know a lot more about it than the rank and file; I think having a good foundation in at least the basics to whet the appetite would help people here get a greater appreciation of how the game is played.

The plan I'm thinking about doing is this: periodically I could suggest a book to read dealing with strategy, give a little review, and that could build up a list of strategic works that someone interested could read through to get a good grounding in strategy. Or maybe we could draw up a charter for a DU group that would be dedicated to the topic. One thing I'm turning around in my mind is how we would structure the rules so that it doesn't just devolve into "Obama should tell teh wingnuts too fuck off!!!!1". What do you say?

[BlooInBloo]

1. Group name proposal: "Always Wrong Group".

:P

[roseBudd]

2. I'm the leader of a super secret grassroots strategy that needs lots of recruits...

I find myself constantly groveling and begging with very few volunteers.

[Runcible Spoon]

3. Will the group discuss strategies such as how to post hit n run PETA polls?

Cuz that's some skeelz I really wanna know.

[LoZoccolo]

5. I don't talk about PETA anymore because I was warned not to, but here's what I PM'd to someone...

...when that was going on:

Well, there are many, but I think an important reason is that they are an example of how ideological "purity" can paint you into a few corners. A lot of what I do here has to do with imparting strategic thinking to people. But you can't tell them that their strategy about their treasured issue is all wrong. Instead, it's more effective to abstract the fallacy, find another example of it that more people are opposed to (like PeTA), and get them thinking about strategy in general, which they may just bring back to their treasured issue that they won't speak rationally about.

It's a little bit like the ancient Chinese historians who could not criticize the emperor directly, so they would introduce weird and fantastic stories into the histories they were commissioned to write, things about geese flying backward and the like. The emperors thought themselves so powerful as to affect nature, and so these unnatural happenings must have something to do with their own mistakes. The point was made, and the historians got to keep their heads.

So yeah, I do employ an element of performance art (some would call it "trolling", and if they want to call it that I'm fine with that) into my posts, but it's not usually without some sort of point to be made that could benefit Democratic Party activism in general.

And that's all I really plan to talk about it. I've maintained for a while that sometimes I make points in interesting ways. If the person I PM'd wants to act as witness that I did send this, then they can, or if they want to keep it private they can too.

[Runcible Spoon]

6. So basically you have a hard-on for bashing progressives.

You don't really need to cut and paste your "ancient Chinese secret" to me to say that. Unfortunately, you are not 1/10th as clever as you think you are and I really don't think you accomplish anything significant here beyond some light entertainment.

[LoZoccolo]

8. Yes, that is exactly what I said.

If you equate being progressive with being strategically inept, that is.

[BlooInBloo]

7. Ah. I'll be happy to start talking about them, then.

:)

[CitizenPatriot]

4. this sounds really interesting

I'm game. Hopefully work will pick up and I won't have time to read....but until then, I'd love to improve my knowledge of strategy and learn the labels for strategies I sense are in play.

[H2O Man]

9. I would. n/t

[LoZoccolo]

10. Kick, and a question.

Does anybody know what it takes to get a group formed? A minimum number of people? A charter? Or if it's a topic forum, do we just ask?

[Parker CA]

11. I'd be interested in at least some reading recommendations and possibly following the conversation

if it doesn't devolve into something messy.