Notes to My Activist Self

Notes to My Activist Self – Wael Ghonim

" Public attention is a means not a goal.

Spend more time engaging your opponents.

Read what you disagree with.

Stop being extreme and exclusive while advocating for tolerance and diversity.

Don’t take part in an angry mob. Take part in a movement that channels your anger into something productive.

Make your ego a vehicle for your cause. Do not make your cause a vehicle for your ego.

Communicate in a language that people use in their day to day life.

Admit your mistakes. Embrace your vulnerabilities and weaknesses.

It’s biologically rewarding when you dehumanize your opponents. They like doing that too.

“Don’t do unto others what you don’t want done unto you.” ~ Confucius

If you want someone to act hostile towards your cause; insult them and mock what they stand for!

Cops are not bastards. Activists are not angels. We are all complex humans. Focus your energy on fixing systems not judging people.

Conservatives need liberals for progress. Liberals need conservatives for stability.

Revolutionaries need reformers who act within the social bounds to push for positive change.

Those who speak on behalf of a cause could harm it the most. Keep your mouth shut until you have something useful to say.

99% of conspiracy theories are false.
Hint: You will never find the 1% where you expect them to be.

Stop believing falsehoods that confirm your biases while condemning your opponents for lying.

The more you are emotionally invested, the less likely you will be rational.

Question authority.
P.S.: You are an authority.

“Be careful when you fight the monsters, lest you become one.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Attention is a scarce resource of modern times. Dignity and compassion is even scarcer.

Forgive yourself when you don’t meet your highest standards but give yourself a lot of shit for it."