First of all the disclaimer that is necessary when discussing X.R and similar groups. I am not a Climate change denier and have said in other threads on this forum that the consumer driven society we currently have can’t continue for much longer.
But now let’s look at the group itself, along with other similar groups such as BLM. Let’s not be shy here, these are in essence Far Left groups. They are not stupid, they realise that they can’t explicitly say words like Socialism, Communism or Marxism, given histories unfortunate knack of systems based on these philosophies quickly degenerating into nightmares of extreme poverty, repression, and human rights abuse. (See Venezuela) Unless of course they want to use the frankly laughable “that wasn’t real socialism” or “Sweden is a socialist country” arguments. However repackage those failed philosophies as saving the planet or combating racism and you have a fresh new army of recruits who’s hearts are in the right place but perhaps lack a little in critical thinking experience.
What has struck me about these groups is the similarity of the message. We must change “the system”. (What to?). No. “The system” has provided most people in the West, including X.R, an unparalleled comfortable lifestyle and the absolute right to moan about their comforts to their hearts content. The system is fine it’s the greed of the people within the system which is the issue, and that doesn’t just include billionaires, it includes anyone who is currently contemplating upgrading their phone to a newer model which operates one millisecond quicker when their old one works perfectly well.
Another that’s struck me when reading stories of people who have been arrested to court after these protests. They’re not as you might expect 20 somethings, but are often older people in their 60s or 70s. I do wonder if “back in the day” how many of these older committed environmentalists were expressing “solidarity” with mining communities and agitating to keep the pits open? More than a few I expect.
