ETA: I said most of this in the comments but to save people the scrolling I’ll say it here too.

This can be about elections but it isn’t exclusive to elections. If it wasn’t true between elections, I don’t think the situation would exist during elections.

The meme is specifically about the difference between the group that isn’t pretending to be good (100% evil) and the group that uses the other group as a threat to avoid pressure to become less evil themselves.

It does not offer a solution. It does not tell people what they should or could do. I think the problem is very broad and requires a diversity of tactics specific to local conditions, not a snappy easy fix that fits well in a meme. It does involve being able to discuss the parts of the machine that keeps the machine churning tho.

  • culprit@lemmy.ml
    9·
    6 hours ago

    The Good Cop / Bad Cop routine works so well on a lot of people. They are both cops working to put you in jail (uphold capitalist status quo), they just have different strategies to achieve that outcome, and the game theory logic works in the cops favor.

    You have to realize you are a prisoner before you can understand the actual dilemma. If no prisoner cops out, this is true solidarity.

    • Arcanepotato@crazypeople.onlineOPEnglish
      4·
      5 hours ago

      This is a good way of putting it. I like that you specified what this dynamic serves.

      This is also super helpful on a personal level to understand why people keep reading memes like this (and the ratchet) as saying the good cop and bad cops are the same. Yes, one of their goals is the same (upholding capitalism/imperialism) but they have different side quests they want to do along the way.

      However, if you see the world as only being cops, either from agreeing that capitalism or imperialism is something that should be protected (Group A) or not being aware that this is an intentional dynamic meant to serve the common goal (Group B) then I can understand why the conclusion is that these memes are saying there is no difference.

      I know the message I want to share in this meme isn’t going to reach group A. While I hope they change their mind, I am not trying to be the one who does it. People who support capitalism/imperialism have values that harm me and my community and I don’t want to waste my time on that.

      My goal with this meme is to reach group B and hope they can use this framing to decide what is best for them and their community so that we can get to the “fuck the police” stage.