Taking a look at the "underground culture" scene for many years now, I am saddened and disturbed at what I am seeing. Many people have been involved "spreading the word" about the problems in our society, but have been falling short in their effectiveness in creating a positive change in society. Some of their actions have actually been slowing, or halting the pace of change which is most desperately needed.
Within the past year while I've been working on what is now this magazine, I checked out several "underground" magazines, and interviewed several people involved in various aspects of the underground culture. The results were disappointing to ay the least. It appeared that while everyone was more than happy to complain about what was wrong, not very many were knowledgable about, or even interested in the actual means to take action, and go about helping institute the change which they so much desire. While this is a general trend in society anyway, I still found it heart-breaking that I would find it at the same extent in the "underground". Some people were even, upon hearing of my proposed project, were horrified that I could do such a thing.
One of the most disturbing things I saw was a desire to complain, and demand action against various problems which have no relevance to the current problems which plague this country. This country is slipping into a dictatorship, and some people seem to be more interested in saving the Mongolian Cluster-Rat than saving the country they live in. While I have some respect for these people for at least speaking up about something, I cannot comprehend why they are more interested in that than in keeping from being put into a concentration camp! Common sense dictates that before one goes and tries to fix something outside his house, he should make sure his house is in order first. Without having the problems in this country fixed first, you might as well forget about everything else, as you won't get anywhere with them. This country, which is founded on the best principles of government ever conceived, was the product of people who got up, and took some real risks to create, and preserve it. If it wasn't for them, it is very likely we wouldn't be around right now.
The second disturbing thing I saw was how for the most part the "underground" was simply content to use "symbolic protest", and little else. It appears that many people haven't learned that symbolic protest is worthless, and only gets you mark ed for later persecution. If you want to change something, you have to do more than send in petitions, and walk around with signs. The bureaucrats in the government, and the corporations that put them there don't care about what the people think, as long as they stay in power. The only way to get the message across to those lizards is to push back when they push you. There is quite a bit that everyone can do in order to instill fear in them, and get them back in line, without needlessly exposing one's self.
William Powell in The Anarchist Cookbook said:
"I detest symbolic protest, as it is an outcry of weak, middle-of-the- road.....eunuchs. If an individual feels strongly enough about something to do something about it, then he shouldn't prostitute himself by doing something symbolic. He should get out and do something real." (Pg. 62)
The last, but not least of disturbing trends I've seen is a disdain to absolute hatred of the concept of survivalism by the vast majority of the underground. Why this is totally baffles me. I'm a non-violent person, but I realize the advantages of being adequately prepared, particularly when my, and my family's welfare and safety are at stake. Many members of the "underground" upon my talking with them, appear to support the current drive to take away Second Amendment rights; when anyone with enough sense should realize that doing so could only make things worse! You are up against people who have murdered, pillaged, and ruined thousands of lives without so much as batting an eyelash, and will continue to be as well equipped, and as ruthless after your means of defense and preparedness are gone, as they were before. Since this is the case, why deny yourself of getting as much of an edge as you can. Again William Powell had something to say about it, which sums things up:
"I have no patience with individuals who claim that everything will be beautiful if guns and other weapons are outlawed. These people do not have the foresight to realize that, if weapons are made illegal, they will only be possessed by enemies of the people.....I feel very strongly that every person should be armed and that he or she should be prepared for the worst. There is no justice left in the system." (Pg. 78)
This is not to say that everyone in the underground is responsible for these problems. There are quite a few good people out there, mostly Cyberpunks, who are doing something real to help this country, but by and large there still leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, the culture can either mature, or become re-born, so greater progress for real, positive change in this country can be made. Then it could become something that its founding fathers can be proud of.