A Rebel's Handbook

A REBEL’S HANDBOOK

DISRUPTING CAPITALISM

FOR FUN AND PROGRESS

IN 21 STEPS

i A REBEL’S HANDBOOK

DISRUPTING CAPITALISM

FOR FUN AND PROGRESS

IN 21 STEPS

Version I: Released 84 years before the world’s oceans rise by a projected 1 to 4 feet.1 Dedicated to Thomas Paine; That words can spell revolution.

Also dedicated to T-Pain; Let’s keep on grooving.

iv v WARNING

his handbook includes the You are welcome to put the strategies occasional use of graphic contained within this handbook language and images. It is into action but do so at your own Tintended for adult audiences. All risk. Possible consequences may activities described herein should only include injury, death, and/or legal be engaged in at a participant’s own repercussions including but not limited risk. This handbook is not intended to to NSA surveillance, fines, or jail. Jail be viewed as instructions or directions really sucks. A Rebel’s Handbook does to engage in any particular acts. not recommend going to jail under most circumstances. Some of the actions in the handbook may be illegal in your hometown, You’re also invited to simply just state, or country. Laws vary widely peruse A Rebel’s Handbook and mull from place to place, and actions that this stuff over. Thanks to our First “YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU are legal in one state may be illegal in Amendment, there’s nothing illegal WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” another. The author of this work is not about reading through a few outlandish a lawyer, has not reviewed the laws ideas…right? of all fifty states, and is not capable MAHATMA GANDHI of advising you on the law in your DISCLAIMER: ADDITIONAL jurisdiction. Laws also change over SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS time and in response to events. Make ARE OUTLINED MORE FULLY sure you know the risks of any actions IN THE FINE PRINT SECTION you are considering, and only act from ON PAGE 153. a place of knowledge and certainty.

vi vii TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE: A CALL TO ARMS xi

INTRODUCTION: REBEL ROADMAP 1

I. GET READY: REBEL SPEAK 5

• What: Capitalism 7 • Why: Things Suck 15 • When: Today, Climate Change 27 • Where: Sea to Shining Sea 39 • Who: Rebels and Non-Rebels 47 • How: Humor, Capitalism’s Kryptonite 51

II. GET SET: REBEL ROAR 61

• What: Rebel Heatsheet 63 • Dissent: Speak Out 69 • Combine Forces: Organize 79 • Crack Jokes: Punchy Pranks 91 “SATIRE IS TRADITIONALLY THE • Viva la Revolution: Create Change 103 WEAPON OF THE POWERLESS III. GO!: REBEL REVOLUTION 119 • America’s Last Revolution: AGAINST THE POWERFUL.” Rev. History 121 • America’s Climate Revolution: Make History 131

MOLLY IVINS EPILOGUE: A CALL FOR PEACE 143

RESOURCES: REBEL TOOLKIT 147

viii ix PREFACE A CALL TO ARMS

“WE CANNOT SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME THINKING WE USED WHEN WE CREATED THEM.”

ALBERT EINSTEIN

x xi DEAR FELLOW majority when it comes to public can I possibly do?” Or, “What way of These words are earnestly laid out CONCERNED discussions about the problems we face doing business could possibly better?” before you to help assuage any fears today, and I thought this silence meant And, “Can I succeed in enacting mean- you may have about our rebel fight. CITIZENS: us rebels were small in number. But I ingful change without making things Our path is one of nonviolence. As Have we really entered this chapter was wrong. worst?” such, we ask that you think twice be- of our nation’s history? A time when fore tacitly condoning tactics like tear I spent some time trekking around on Rebel forebears like George so many of us question if everything gas, surveillance, and imprisonment to the open road and during whispers of Washington, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, in the world is fair and flawless. An subdue our rebel jokes. change with friends around a campfire Dennis Banks, Harvey Milk, Cesar age where rebel handbooks are even And rebels – these words are ultimately or hushed conversations with strangers Chavez, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin written in the first place. And a day in written for each and every one of you at coffee shops and bars around the Luther King Jr. have demonstrated that the life when people actually entertain – penned with gratitude and love. You, world I learned this: there’s a global answers to questions like these can the notion of reading funny words such like me, know that the world has long landscape of discontent. Citizens indeed be realized. And many rebels in as these. had rebel gadflies, warning of social everywhere are unsatisfied with the the world today are actively following ills and political missteps. But you, like At this crossroads of our human status quo. in their very footsteps. me, have also witnessed that people history, many of us − be it deep in People have different bones to pick There are others who concede that today are growing increasingly numb our guts, peripheral vision, or daily in their complaints: we may focus on things today are not on the right track to gadfly bites. existence − sense that something in issues ranging from income inequality but still grapple with the “what can I the world is not quite right. That In these times of rising sea levels, (#occupy) to racial inequality (#black- do” and “what comes next” question. something has fallen out of whack. growing inequality, and increasing livesmatter) to climate change justice A Rebel’s Handbook is written for you armed conflict – perhaps what we need (#COP21). – the silent majority. In the pages that Today, A.D. 2016, there are people most is not the gadfly, but the buzzing who call us “thugs” for yelling rebel follow, we examine how capitalism In all the conversations I had, the basic of bees. The collective murmur of an words when we decry the needless is emblematic of today’s status quo concerns distill down to this: we’re entire species at risk of mass extinc- deaths of fellow citizens like Eric and why the topic merits immediate leery of our impotent government, tion. A collective awareness that we Garner, Michael Brown, and Sandra attention. We explain how humor our lives are being impacted by the people are awake and stand ready Bland. We are called “liars” and is capitalism’s kryptonite and walk dysfunctional economic conditions, for change. “troublemakers” each time we dare through 21 rebel jokes that can help and we’re anxious about the world’s to raise our voice about the need for lead to a brighter and more sustainable future. We’ve got different ideas about But we are ultimately neither flies that imminent climate change action. future. what problems in the world are most bite nor bees that sting. We the people are human. So let’s do one of the things Too often, our calls for peace and pressing, but our biggest area of A Rebel’s Handbook is also written we do best and laugh. Rebels: if at any love are met by riot police and tear agreement is this: things today are not for the people who doubt the credence point in this rebel struggle we stop gas. Yet, even in this fog of war, many on the right track. of our rebel fight. You may call us laughing, then we’re losing. rebels keep on marching – compelled liars and you may call us thugs, but What we share in frustration, some of forward by the indelible hope of a please remember that we are also your us lack in hope. It’s easy to get people In Solidarity, brighter tomorrow. neighbors and friends. We, like you, talking about what’s wrong in the are fellow citizens with the shared But our streets are far from filled with world, but there is trepidation when hope of life, liberty, and the pursuit of marchers. There has been a silent the dialogue turns toward actions and happiness. solutions. “I’m just one person, what

xii xiii INTRODUCTION

REBEL ROADMAP

“THE HUMAN RACE HAS ONLY ONE REALLY EFFECTIVE WEAPON, AND THAT IS LAUGHTER.”

MARK TWAIN

xiv 1 Rebel’s Handbook is about By focusing on a topic so emblematic A REBEL’S HANDBOOK IS DIVIDED addressing a question that of our status quo and pinpointing its lots of people in the world biggest pressure point, the 21 tactics INTO THREE CORE PARTS: Aare asking today: “things suck, but contained within A Rebel’s Handbook what can I do about it?” In response, illustrate that it’s easier than someone this handbook offers 21 simple strat- might think to shift power from the egies aimed at disrupting widely held boss’s hands into the people’s hands. assumptions that dictate our status quo. In doing so, we demonstrate the PART I inherent power that we the people GET READY: REBEL SPEAK The goal of these 21 disruptions possess. is to 1) raise public awareness about Defines capitalism and explains why itis pressing issues like climate change something that’s worth disrupting in the first Funnily enough, it turns out that cap- and inequality, 2) demonstrate that place. Part I examines issues like inequality, italism’s biggest vulnerability is that the simple forces of fun and laughter climate change, and recent attacks on it has a terrible sense of humor. If the can be kryptonite for our formidable civil liberties. people are laughing and capitalists ar- status quo and, 3) catalyze inclusive en’t, that means we’re pushing hard on problem-solving towards a more capitalism’s pressure points and using sustainable future. the power of humor to drive change. PART II Because our status quo is fortified by GET SET: REBEL ROAR billions of dollars and police with guns, Adhering to established social change any attempt for social change can feel methodology, all 21 tactics call for Provides 21 strategies to disrupt capitalism daunting, if not impossible. But fortu- nonviolence 100% of the time. How- and have fun by cracking rebel jokes. The nately for us, every system has its weak ever, in order to target capitalism’s ABC’s of each tactic are explained here. points. After all, if every system were lackluster humor, some classic social truly impenetrable, then wouldn’t the change tactics have been revamped to gates of Troy have blocked that fateful be more fun and punchy. PART III Trojan horse? Recognizing that challenges to GO!: REBEL REVOLUTION With an eye toward identifying the assumptions informing our status quo Examines our rebel past to inform a biggest vulnerabilities around the are ultimately not enough to cultivate conversation about where all this disrupting central assumptions that guide our lasting progress, A Rebel’s Handbook takes us in the pathway to progress. Part III contemporary economic and political concludes by examining the vital role covers the vital role of disruptive innovation structures, A Rebel’s Handbook begins of disruptive innovation to create to help tackle the current challenges we face. by better understanding the underpin- revolutionary change. Fostering this nings of the status quo itself. The hand- environment of innovation requires book contends that the often-opaque widespread calls for change from concept of capitalism overwhelmingly we the people. In short, disrupting interrelates with the litany of today’s assumptions about our status quo today global injustices. can help usher in a proliferation of revolutionary disruptive innovations REBELS: GET READY, GET SET, GO! tomorrow.

2 3 PART I: GET READY REBEL SPEAK

“WE HAVE IT IN OUR POWER TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN.”

THOMAS PAINE

4 5 WHAT: CAPITALISM

ome rebel readers will have theory and how it actually functions in divergent viewpoints about practice are explained. A handbook for capitalism from the outset (e.g., action rather than an econ textbook, S“capitalism is capable of great things” readers interested in learning more versus “capitalism is evil”). A word about the economic intricacies of capi- laden with many definitions, the topic talism itself can refer to the handbook’s is further complicated because there Rebel Toolkit (page 149) for additional are multiple forms of capitalism in resources. existence today.

A Rebel’s Handbook defines capitalism SHORTCUT: IF YOU ALREADY as the modern form of capitalism cur- THINK THAT CAPITALISM rently unfolding in the United States. STINKS, FEEL FREE TO SKIP For the purposes of the handbook, the AHEAD TO ACTIONS THAT “IT IS WELL ENOUGH THAT PEOPLE OF THE singular term embodies the cumulative DRIVE CHANGE IN PART II role of business, government, and (PAGE 61). BEFORE DOING SO, NATION DO NOT UNDERSTAND OUR BANKING workers as they interrelate with our REBELS ARE ENCOURAGED AND MONETARY SYSTEM, FOR IF THEY DID, status quo. TO READ THE ONE-PAGE REBEL BULLETIN (PAGE 25), I BELIEVE THERE WOULD BE A REVOLUTION Because the term is often misperceived A CAUTIONARY TALE ABOUT as confusing, this section covers THE PERILS OF ATTRIBUTING BEFORE TOMORROW MORNING.” capitalism’s guiding principles to distill THE ENTIRETY OF OUR WOES what it actually is. The mechanics of ON A SINGULAR PROBLEM. HENRY FORD how capitalism allegedly works in

6 7 CAPITALISM define capitalism and see how they CAPITALISM DEFINED (IN THEORY) UNPLUGGED respond (likely, like you’re crazy for asking). To better understand capitalism, let’s Put simply, capitalism can be defined The term capitalism itself was first begin with an impartial understanding as the constant push and pull between Although capitalism may be hard for coined in the 1800s during the about how the form of capitalism that its three biggest players: business, someone to articulate, it’s considered Industrial Revolution, when the we have in place in the United States government, and workers. These three today’s preeminent way of doing capitalist framework we live in today is supposed to operate in theory. Don’t players exist a controlled market business. Capitalism is a driver for a was really revving to life. Lots of other worry: we’ll make this econ101 lesson economy that is carefully designed to whole lot of things happening in our competing or congruous isms, like short. foster and encourage economic lives. You know, stuff like needing to communism and socialism, were being activity, while also promoting equality go to school, hold a job and pay rent. actively pitched to people during the (or so the theory goes). For all you econ geeks out there, also same period. referred to as: marketplace credentials, monetary income, and privately-held BUSINESS Have you ever had a conversation property. with a friend about different political systems? You know, the one where In theory, the opaque concept of capi- WORKERS GOVERNMENT someone says something like, “[fill talism definitely sounds pretty damn in the blank]ism sounds promising in promising: an economic system where theory, but it just doesn’t work as well anyone can make it big and people in practice.” have lots of freedoms (like the freedom of speech). Capitalism sells itself on People typically make that statement the premise of ideals captured in the about other isms but rarely about American Dream, that anyone has capitalism. That’s largely because WORKERS; BUSINESS; GOVERNMENT; a shot to get rich if they work hard capitalism has already succeeded in enough or conjure up the right Provides the workforce Creates the jobs that pay Exists as a steward of convincing most people that it’s the winning idea. for business and people the salaries they capitalism, almost like best way to go (even if some of these government to operate. need to live on. The a referee. Government’s same people would simply argue that So the question for you is this: if Worker spending helps golden rule for all job is to make sure that it’s the best of the worst). people are so quick to say other isms stimulate the economy, businesses is that survival capitalism’s rules play sound so much better in theory than The framework of big macro concepts which in turn helps to is based on turning a out fairly and safely practice, is it so unreasonable to place like capitalism are so steeped in most generate more jobs. profit. For business (AKA: legally). In a the world’s most applied economic of today’s culture that, at first glance, Capitalism requires a corporations in particular, democracy like the theory under a magnifying glass and it can be hard to cull capitalism out range of workers, from the golden rule is for this United States, citizenry is ask the same question of it? and see what it is actually all about. people in suits earning profit to help maximize supposed to be integrally the big bucks to help shareholder value. involved in governmental Paradoxically, lots of people would stimulate the economy, decision making in order have a hard time defining the word to police carrying guns to help ensure that the even if asked. If you need proof, just to enforce capitalism’s government does not ask a random stranger on the street to rules. become a crooked referee.

8 9 America’s form of capitalism runs on Most early coal camps worked Fast-forward to today and some people But comparing capitalism at work in a constant and healthy tension between something like this: employees put in continue to critique capitalism, or early American coal mining camps, the these three big players. A system of really long shifts and faced extremely at the very least, the contemporary Progressive Era, and today can quickly checks and balances. On a basic level: hazardous working conditions. Instead implementation of it. Concerns range make reading eyes go glassy.6 So in workers depend on having a job so of being compensated with U.S. dol- from the indirect and often non-priced order to better understand how our cur- they can earn a livable wage and rely lars, they were typically paid with scrip costs of doing business (also known rent implementation of capitalism oper- on government to regulate business so from the mining company, only good as externalized costs), to the scarcity ates in practice, the following chapter that their working conditions are safe. to cash in at mining camping stores of resources that can be pervasive in overlays the theories of capitalism with (the stores were coincidentally owned capitalist-based economies. There are the reality of our status quo. In turn, government is dependent on by the camp owner).2 Can you guess others who praise modern capitalism the salary of the worker and the profit where this is going? for the economic opportunities they of a business so that they can collect say it continues to offer and the taxes to operate. Finally, business Groceries, drinks, clothes – basically innovations it helps to cultivate. depends on government to ensure everything – was purchased with scrip. everyone plays by the rules and on And not surprisingly, some mining workers to power their businesses camp owners set the price of their store and purchase their products. goods at exorbitantly high prices.3 The boss got rich while the miners got So there’s the premise of our modern poorer. form of capitalism in a nutshell. But that nagging question still remains: like Recognizing capitalism’s perils, like so many other isms, does today’s the mining camps debacle, capitalist implementation of capitalism also governments are, in theory, supposed sound superior only in theory? to help stand with the people and make sure things happen fairly. The U.S. CAPITALISM government arguably helped do this for DEFINED quite a while – with tools like antitrust (IN PRACTICE) laws to break up big monopolies and campaign laws to ensure that capitalists 4 Have you ever heard stories about how could not buy elections. early U.S. coal mining camps worked? Citizen demand for equal opportunity There’s a good chance the answer is no protections, like fair voting and equita- because people don’t like talking about ble education, was particularly success- it all that much. This is a fairly absent ful in the Progressive Era (1890-1920). chapter from most history textbooks. Rebels writers, like Jacob Riis and Ida It is a time period in American history Tarbel, helped call out corporate greed when capitalism was thriving – but and energize change with their photos it didn’t make capitalism look all too of income inequality and stories about good in practice. big oil companies during this era.5

10 11 CAPITALISM IN ACTION: “I AM NOT SO OPPOSED TO CAPITALISM THAT U.S. BANK BAILOUT I HAVE FAILED TO SEE ITS RELATIVE MERITS. IT STARTED OUT WITH A NOBLE AND HIGH MOTIVE Capitalism in theory doesn’t sound so bad. But today’s capitalism in practice TO BLOCK THE TRADE MONOPOLIES OF NOBLES, is arguably not always looking so hot.

BUT LIKE MOST HUMAN SYSTEMS IT FALLS VICTIM An illustrative case study: how the TO THE VERY THING IT WAS REVOLTING AGAINST. government could have helped the people during the 2008 financial crisis SO TODAY, CAPITALISM HAS OUTLIVED ITS but ended up helping out the big banks instead. USEFULNESS.” DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. The largest banks in America messed OUR GOVERNMENT SPENT up big time in 2008. In a bid to HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS increase their customer base, banks OF DOLLARS TO BAIL OUT loosened their standards for home THE BANKS.7 mortgage loans. As a result, banks were dolling out cash to some people who Banks were the ones responsible for lacked the economic means to easily making the mistake in the first place: pay it back. For eager homeowners they knowingly deceived people. lured into perfect-sounding loans, it Doesn’t it seem a little strange for our turned out that the deal was too good government to just bail them out? to be true. Instead, our government could have Subprime mortgages were given to figured out a way to loan the same tons of people who could not make amount of money directly to home- their make their monthly payments. owners to help them out with their As a result, many people who failed to drowning debt and save them from make their mortgage payments accrued losing their own homes. high debt and some ultimately ended This action, by its very definition, is up losing their homes. arguably still capitalism: funds being The banks got themselves in dire utilized to provide credit and to keep financial straits: they needed money in the economy running. But it’s a differ- response to all the debt they created. ent kind of capitalism than the one our nation has grown used to because it is a kind where the government gives a hand up to the people instead of ex- tending a hand out to big businesses.

12 13 WHY: THINGS SUCK

s this chapter’s title implies, concerned with one problem over and as you likely know, another. Or you may be most worried things are not all so fair and about an issue missing entirely from Aflawless in the world today. But as you the table (which you’re encouraged to also know, lots of people love to hate help fill in). Others may deny that some on today’s problems. Simply griping of these problems even exist. about our woes is nothing new. What’s new here is that we also explore capi- This difference of opinion is okay: talism’s hand in the challenges we face. we can agree to disagree on the finer points. But at least there seems to Specifically, we examine the role of be ever-growing consensus around special interests and the 1% as they this: things today feel like they’re relate to our current status quo. These increasingly tipping out of balance. well-endowed special interests are “STATUS IS ALWAYS RIPE FOR SATIRE.” fondly referred to herein as fat cats (a Under siege from a myriad of threats, term first coined during the Roaring we candidly place today’s status quo under a microscope in the table that STEPHEN COLBERT Twenties to describe wealthy political donors of the time).8 follows. Not simply to blame all our woes on capitalism, but rather, to The Capitalism at Work table in this question a reality filled with issues like chapter provides brief descriptions of growing inequality, increasing armed a wide range of issues that we face conflict, and rising sea levels. today. When you flip through the table some of you will presumably be more

14 15 THE ISSUE THE ISSUE

Inequality People Are is Rising Being Tricked

THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND

There are unprecedented levels of in- Now that the 1% is holding onto so By the numbers, we the people are One of the biggest deceptions that fat equality in the U.S today. The top 1% much money and power, they don’t clearly not too happy with today’s state cats like to propagate is this: that we of Americans now owns 40% of the seem to want to just give up their of affairs. 51 million eligible voters the people are incapable of creating country’s wealth, while 80% of clout. According to reports from the in America have not even registered lasting and meaningful change. Why our population holds just 7%.9 This United Nations, the divide between into our system of voting.12 And 42% would fat cats trick us with such a disparate inequality is spreading all the rich and poor is continuing to of the citizens who are registered to rumor? Likely, because they realize over the world. Nearly half of the widen.11 Today’s capitalist landscape is vote are signed up as independents that if lots people learned about all the world, or about three billion people, defined by the rich getting richer while (with no stated affiliation to either the things that suck in the world today, live on less than $2.50 a day. At least the poor get poorer. Our time-tested republican or democratic party).13 Yet, they would start to raise their voice. 80% of the world lives on less than system of checks and balances appears America has only had a democratic So hide the truth from us they do – $10 a day.10 Note: stats such as these to be tilting in the favor of special or republican president.14 With like their reaction to what unfolded are in a constant state of flux and vary interests and the one percenters (AKA: incongruous numbers such as these, in Ferguson, Missouri in the fall of by source, but the overall trend of fat cats). we can safely infer that lots of people 2014. When rebels started roaring the rising inequality remains unchanged. are tricked into the fallacy that their rebel roar over the killing of Michael voice or vote do not matter. Brown at the hands of police officers, multiple journalists were arrested and the federal government declared a no- fly zone, effectively curtailing freedom of the press from the ground and in “THE GOVERNMENT, WHICH WAS DESIGNED FOR THE PEOPLE, the skies.15, 16 There are fat cats today HAS GOT INTO THE HANDS OF THE BOSSES AND THEIR who fool people into thinking that our voices do not matter. EMPLOYERS, THE SPECIAL INTERESTS. AN INVISIBLE EMPIRE HAS BEEN SET UP ABOVE THE FORMS OF DEMOCRACY.”

WOODROW WILSON

16 17 THE ISSUE THE ISSUE

People Are Civil Rights Being Divided Are Under Attack

THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND

Be it race, political ideology, religion, Whether intentional or purely Classified government documents From a business perspective, fat cats or gender – the fissures that divide us coincidental, stats such as these help leaked by Edward Snowden reveal win by collecting private online data appear to be forever widening. For indicate that today’s implementation evidence of a systematic program to that can optimize marketing tactics. example, full-time female workers of capitalism is becoming increasingly monitor phone calls and read emails of Just think about how email vendors made 21.7% less than full-time male inequitable. Skittish about the power American citizens.21 In addition, local scan through your email so that they workers in 2013 median annual of organizing, fat cats hold onto their police departments are militarizing. can deliver the most relevant ad to you. earnings. In 2014, full-time Hispanic power when the modus operandi is According to Pentagon data, small Stealthy marketing strategies like these female workers earned an average a people that stand divided. To put municipal police departments have are employed on the business front. of 39% less than full-time white it another way, fat cats are rightfully been given tens of thousands of ma- On the government front, surveillance male workers on a weekly basis.17 afraid of the community-organizing chine guns, armored cars, and military and militarization are often executed Distressingly, the partitions between wisdom that Benjamin Franklin im- aircraft.22 Despite efforts by the federal with safety as the primary rationale. people don’t end with salaries alone. parted when he signed the Declaration government to curtail these practices, Sure, no one wants to sacrifice safety, 1 in 6 African-American men have of Independence: “We must all hang countless phone conversations have but as the police who protect us start to been imprisoned in the U.S.18 together, or assuredly, we shall all hang already been recorded and police look more like soldiers than our allies, Compare this to the one percenters at separately.”20 forces have been armored.23, 24 perhaps it is time to ask what civil the top: approximately 4 in 6 Fortune liberties are compromised under the 500 CEOs are white males.19 veil of protecting our freedom.

18 19 THE ISSUE THE ISSUE

Armed Conflict Government is Increasing is Paralyzed

THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND

In addition to fissures among we Many conflicts in the world today can Partisan bickering between America’s Through aggressive lobbying and the people, nations themselves are be traced to fat cats’ insatiable appetite leading political parties boiled over in influential campaign donations, fat cats becoming increasingly entangled in for natural resources. For example, 2013: our federal government tempo- have long helped embolden elected contentious disputes. According to a maritime zone with underwater oil rarily shut down due to the inability officials to take certain positions United Nations reports, armed conflict resources estimated to be worth of Congressional leaders to reach on legislative issues. These fat cats is on the rise.25 Over the last decade, trillions of dollars is right off the consensus on a budget. The shutdown received a massive victory over the 35 countries in the world experienced Crimea coast (ergo, Russia invasion).30 cost taxpayers billions of dollars in lost people in a 2010 Supreme Court armed conflict.26 Recent strife in Experts estimate that there are troves revenue and economic stagnation.35 decision that continues to rattle geographically disparate places like of valuable mineral resources under the Today, people are taking note of this America.37 In a 5-4 ruling, the Supreme Iraq, Crimea, and the South China Sea South China Sea floor (ergo, China’s childlike behavior – approval ratings Court declared that donations from have resulted in countless lives lost territorial claims).31 Furthermore, since of U.S. Congress have dipped to an corporations are protected under and hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Halliburton, all-time historic low of around 15% in the First Amendment – essentially economic damages.27, 28, 29 a Fortune 500 company, has received 2015.36 Congress’s self-inflicted paral- removing any limits on corporate $39.5 billion in Iraq-related contracts ysis and the public’s eroding faith in campaign donations. The ruling, (including one no-bid contract for them do not cast Congress in the best Citizens United vs. Federal Election over $500 million).32, 33 If you’re still light to help solve the litany of issues Commission, has ushered in a new scratching your head in search for we face today. era of fat cat spending in elections.38 connections between fat cats, govern- Today, less than 1% of Americans ments, and warfare: look no further contribute 68% of all election funding than Dick Cheney, the former Vice in the U.S.39 In the 2016 Presiden- President of the U.S. (2001-2009) tial election, just 158 families have and the former CEO of Halliburton provided nearly 50% of all campaign (1995-2000).34 Ergo, corporate greed. contributions in the early part of the election cycle.40, 41

20 21 THE ISSUE THE ISSUE

Food & Water Human-Caused Supplies Are Climate Change in Jeopary is Unchecked

THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND

Contemporary agricultural practices Like other industries, agriculture is Climate change is a hot enough issue Capitalism is integrally linked to provide cause for stomachs to turn: becoming dominated by a few fat that the next chapter is wholly dedicat- human induced climate change, from the rampant use of pesticides cats at the top: almost 30% of federal ed to it. In a snapshot: climate-warm- beginning with the age of Industrial- (which have been proven to leach into agricultural subsidies go to the top 2% ing trends over the past century are ization when smoke stacks first starting drinking water supplies),42 to deplor- percent of America’s biggest farms.48 very likely due to human activities. dotting our horizons.55 Today, there able conditions for farm animals,43 to And as the legislative record indicates, But don’t take the handbook’s word for are fat cats who profit from our busi- nationwide food recalls,44 to the routine these agro-fat-cats succeed in swaying it: Nearly 100% of the world’s climate ness-as-usual that wrangle off attempts practice of feeding antibiotics to live- our federal government. For example, change scientists agree with this very to rein in our runaway greenhouse gas stock to help fatten them up.45 Actions amidst heavy industry lobbying in statement.52 These scientists warn that emissions. Some of them go so far as such as these come with a cost. Take 2011, Members of Congress declared business-as-usual is causing the world to propagate mistruths on the matter: antibiotics for instance: approximately that pizza should count a vegetable on to inch closer to an irreversible tipping there are over 90 climate change 15 million pounds of antibiotics are fed public school menus (claiming that point of unbearable living conditions counter-movement organizations in the to the farm animals in the U.S. each tomato paste is a vegetable).49 As fat and mass extinctions.53 They tell U.S. with a cumulative annual income year.46 As a result, doctors are finding cats fallow our farmland and overrun us that all the issues outlined in the of more than $900 million.56 And the that people are becoming increasingly our aquifers, we the people face threats chapter will be further exacerbated by myths these fat cats disseminate seems antibiotic resistant.47 like antibiotic immunity and contami- unchecked greenhouse gas emissions.54 to work: to date, the U.S. government nated drinking water.50, 51 and global leaders have not taken the actions requisite for reducing our greenhouse gas emissions down to the levels that scientists implore.57

22 23 THE ISSUE REBEL BULLETIN: PLAY WITH CATS, NOT HUNT FOR WITCHES Et Cetera America’s history is punctuated by Massive problems, like climate change, startling periods in which our citizenry are complex and often have more than mistakenly chased scapegoats and one underlying force at play. After all, so-called straw men rather than there are non-capitalist countries that confront the underlying issues they also have runaway greenhouse gas faced at the time. emissions. There are also some large corporations actively working toward • It began in 1692 when a wave of THE LOWDOWN CAPITALISM’S HAND reducing their environmental footprint. hysteria spread that witches were possessing people. In the ensuing If these previous periods of American Salem Witch Trials, dozens of history have but one lesson to yield, The issues captured in this table are After thinking of the issue(s) that con- citizens were accused of perhaps it is this: that there is futility to representative of some but not of all cern you most, distill down the issue witchcraft and 19 people were mistakenly chasing a straw man when of the significant problems we face and see if you can identify some of the executed.58 faced with truly calamitous times. today. What are some other issues you underlying drivers that perpetuate this can think of that are not included in the problem. If you peel back the layers far • Widespread paranoia struck As such, please dispel any notion to chart? Readers are invited to think of a enough, can you find the special inter- again during World War II, when embark on a foolhardy witch-hunt for topic they find most problematic in the est groups involved? Can you identify 100,000+ Japanese-Americans fat cats in a flash of group hysteria. world today and build out their own the linkage between the issue and citizens were imprisoned in It would be unfair and incorrect to list of grievances. These problems can capitalism? As all the points outlined Relocation Camps for widespread simply ascribe all of today’s woes be shared online with other rebels. in this chapter demonstrate, there is a fear they were allegiant to Japan.59 on one group alone. In addition to good chance that the answers to these compromised morality, there is nothing questions will be yes. • Mass hysteria reared itself yet all that fun or productive about again during the Cold War, when exerting energy on pointing fingers. the Red Scare gripped our nation. Citizens endured an era of With principles like this in mind, we surveillance and job loss because disrupt capitalism and crack jokes not of their political viewpoints.60 to insult or harm fat cats, but rather, to raise awareness about the problematic Each of these travesties occurred in status quo that we all share. monumental and challenging times. And as the table in this chapter highlights, we’re also living in a difficult time, faced with significant hurdles like climate change and inequality.

24 25 WHEN: TODAY, CLIMATE CHANGE

or those of us already schooled is so critical. In tandem with defining in the monumental threat of climate change, we also assess how climate change, the immi- capitalism transacts with this threat. Fnent need to question our status quo is largely self-evident. For others, DEFINING CLIMATE climate change can be shrouded in the CHANGE same kind of mystery as terms like capitalism. There is widespread agreement about how climate change is defined.62 The fallacy that climate change is According to the U.S. Environmental difficult to wrap our arms around is a Protection Agency, “climate change strange one because nearly 100% of refers to any significant change in the the world’s scientists have reached measures of climate lasting for an ex- consensus about what causes climate tended period of time.”63 Our climate is “OUR LIVES BEGIN TO END THE DAY change and have meticulously indeed changing. The earth’s average researched and documented its WE BECOME SILENT ABOUT THE temperature has risen by 1.4°F over injurious impacts.61 the past century and is projected to rise THINGS THAT MATTER MOST.” 64 In the same way that we placed further in the coming decades. capitalism under a microscope in the There is also widespread agreement DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. preceding chapter, let’s now shine about what causes climate change: some light on climate change itself to 97% of the world’s climate scientists define what it is, what causes climate concur that climate-warming trends chaos, and why taking action today

26 27 over the past century are very likely Aptly categorized as greenhouse If you’ve ever stepped into a green- due to human activities.65 In the last gasses, emissions from these sources house, then you already have an idea 100 years, we have released unprece- help fuel the greenhouse effect that of how the greenhouse gas effect “HUMAN INFLUENCE works when it works the right way. By dented amounts of carbon dioxide and is changing our climate. According ON THE CLIMATE SYSTEM other noxious greenhouse gases into to the U.S. Environmental Protection trapping in the sunlight’s heat, a green- IS CLEAR, AND RECENT the atmosphere. Scientists explain that Agency: “greenhouse gases act like a house makes things warmer. According these emissions are the main driver of blanket around earth, trapping energy to the U.S. Environmental Protection ANTHROPOGENIC 66 Agency, “the greenhouse effect is human-induced climate change. in the atmosphere and causing it to EMISSIONS OF warm.”68 natural and necessary to support life 69 The term greenhouse gas itself encom- on Earth.” GREENHOUSE GASES ARE passes a number of pollutants including The process of the naturally occur- If you have been in a greenhouse THE HIGHEST IN HISTORY. carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, ring greenhouse gas effect (without before, you’ve also likely observed and fluorinated gases.67 human-caused warming) is illustrated RECENT CLIMATE CHANG- in the graphic below. plants growing within the greenhouse (warmed by the sun and insulation). ES HAVE HAD WIDESPREAD But when inside this greenhouse, IMPACTS ON HUMAN you probably felt a bit warm. Maybe AND NATURAL SYSTEMS. THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT uncomfortably warm. Now think about what would happen if people turned WARMING OF THE CLIMATE up the heat in that greenhouse in a big SYSTEM IS UNEQUIVO- Some solar Some of the infrared radiation way. The plants that had been growing radiation is passes through the atmosphere. CAL, AND SINCE THE 1950s, reflected by Some is absorbed & re-emitted inside would die off and you yourself the each & in all directions by greenhouse couldn’t survive within that heat for MANY OF THE OBSERVED the atmoshere. gas molecules. The effect of this too long. is to warm the Earth’s surface CHANGES ARE & the lower atmosphere. And it is here where we get to the rub. UNPRECEDENTED OVER According to the U.S. Environmental Infrared radiation Protection Agency, “the buildup of DECADES TO MILLENNIA. is emitted by the Most radiation earth’s surface. greenhouse gases can change Earth’s THE ATMOSPHERE AND is absorbed by climate and result in dangerous effects Earth’s surface OCEAN HAVE WARMED, & warms it. to human health and welfare and to ecosystems.”70 THE AMOUNTS OF ATMOSPHERE Recognizing that 97% of the world’s SNOW AND ICE HAVE scientists tell us that climate-warming DIMINISHED, AND SEA trends are very likely caused by human LEVEL HAS RISEN.” activity, the obligation for action becomes all the more paramount. We EARTH’S are faced with a scenario where it is INTERNATIONAL PANEL ON CLIMATE SURFACE CHANGE, FIFTH ASSESSMENT REPORT our hands are fixed on the world’s thermostat.71

28 29 As the chart below demonstrates, the impacts of turning up the earth’s thermostat will BROKEN INFRASTRUCTURE be far from fun. All information included in the Climate Change Impacts chart below Sea level rise, storm surge, and heavy downpours are comes from the U.S. Government’s 2014 National Climate Assessment to explain causing billions of dollars of damage to U.S. infrastruc- what human-caused climate change is projected to do to our world.72 ture. Climate change is projected to further intensify this infrastructure damage.78

CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ATTACK ON INDIGENOUS CULTURES Climate change is undermining indigenous ways of life by altering the environment. Language, ceremonies, cultures, practices, and food sources that evolved in concert with DEADLY HEALTH RISKS the environment are being placed at risk.79 Historical episodes of extreme heat have caused widespread fatalities and extreme heat is only projected to increase with climate change. Climate change is also increasing risks of respiratory stress from poor air quality and increased heat.73 FEELING THE HEAT FOOD SHORTAGES Farms are expected to suffer from stresses due to extreme heat, Since climate scientists first began melting and that it is now impossible disease, and heavy downpours. Changing weather will make warning about human-caused climate to curtail the melting of this particular growing seasons more difficult. Projected food shortages are change in the 1970s, the world has section. Scientists predict that this ice expected to trigger forced migrations.74 been reticent to heed their calls and sheet will destabilize neighboring ice reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. sheets, leading to sea-levels rising by UNDRINKABLE WATER And today, we’re starting to feel the as much as 10 feet. Notably, scien- Climate change is increasing the likelihood of water heat. tists have warned about the impact of shortages. Water quality is currently diminishing in many areas human-caused climate change on this from contaminant and sediment concentration after We use three ways to measure global particular ice sheet since 1978.83 heavy downpours.75 surface temperature and all of them

tell us that the earth has warmed since The reverberations of climate change FISHLESS OCEANS 1880.80 The ten warmest years on are not felt in Antarctica and America An increase in acidic ocean water will inhibit the formation of record having occurred since 2000. alone. Rising seas have also overtaken shells, skeletons, and coral reefs. This changing ocean chemis- Most of the U.S. has recently incurred other parts of the word, like the Pacific try, coupled with changing ocean temperatures, is expected to unprecedented periods of high Islands, where freshwater supplies are jeopardize aquatic ecosystems.76 temperatures, heavy downpours, being inundated with undrinkable salt-

or drought.82 water.84 Alarmingly, recent episodes of WRECKED ECOSYSTEMS armed conflicts have also been linked If left unchecked, climate change can cause the extinction Today, ice sheets in Antarctica are to climate change impacts. For exam- of entire species. Stressors like droughts, wildfires, and pest melting. In 2014, climate scientists ple, the scarcity of resources in Sudan outbreaks (for example, bark beetles in the West) are already reported that a large section of a (triggered by desertification) helped harming ecosystems.77 Western Antarctica ice sheet began precipitate a prolonged civil war and massive waves of refugees.85

30 31 If these climatic proof points are not THE IMPERATIVE A milestone accomplishment, the Recognizing that this tentative frame- conclusive enough to demonstrate that FOR ACTION accord is alleged to stop the atmo- work fails to tackle climate change’s climate change is here, then consider sphere from warming to more than 3.6 most harmful impacts, the chart on the this: the U.S. government is current- degrees Fahrenheit over the preindus- following page visualizes the amount Put simply, if immediate action is 93 ly arming itself for climate change. trial average. 3.6 degrees marks the of projected carbon dioxide (CO2) not taken to substantially reduce our Confidential Department of Defense tipping point where scientists warn atmospheric concentrations under two greenhouse gas emissions, we’re documents leaked by Edward Snowden of irreversible climate impacts like scenarios: business-as-usual with zero fucked. The overwhelming majority reveal the government is preparing melting ice, rising sea levels, increased action taken and revolutionary change of climate scientists warn that simply 94 for “future resource wars over water, flooding, and supply shortages. to rein in our emissions in a monumen- keeping on with today’s busi- 98 food, and energy” caused by climate tal way. 86 ness-as-usual will bring us to the change. While the 2015 accord is widely feared climatic “tipping point” of acknowledged to be a critical step CO2 measurement is a fitting indicator mass extinctions, melting ice caps The Department of Defense warns that to drive climate change action, it is of climate change progress because and unbearable living conditions.89 the resource shortages triggered by also widely recognized to fall short of it is the primary greenhouse gas that climate change could lead to “anti-gov- some key steps that are requisite for is emitted from human activity. The Scientists also tell us that: “the choices ernment ideologies” that “threaten gov- lasting climate progress. Shortcomings importance of CO2 is especially we make today will affect the amount ernment stability.” Leaked documents include: paramount because over 80% of U.S. of greenhouse gases we put in the reveal that the government is currently greenhouse gas emissions come from atmosphere in the near future and 100 training 20,000 troops to respond to the • The accord lacks any enforce- this particular source. for years to come.”90 These climate civil unrest that they predict climate ment mechanism to ensure that 87 scientists tell us that even with immedi- change will help engender. the greenhouse gas reduction As the chart on the following page ate action, we will still incur climate commitments are actually highlights, the unchecked release of change impacts. They also tell us if 95 Although the world witnessed public achieved. CO2 is projected to bring the world to we take meaningful action soon, then calls for diplomacy during the 2015 800 parts per million (ppm is a ratio of we can avert some of climate change’s • Entire industries with signifi- United Nations Conference on Climate carbon dioxide molecules to all other most dire impacts.91 cant greenhouse gas emissions, Change, Snowden’s leaked documents such as aviation and maritime, molecules in the atmosphere). 800 ppm highlight that our government is simul- are entirely omitted from the leads us to the feared climatic tipping Heeding the call of the scientific com- 101 taneously preparing for climate change 96 point of unbearable living conditions. munity, global leaders started making agreement. by developing militarized tactics to some action toward a meaningful subdue people who care about climate • Not all sections of the agreement On the other hand, the revolutionary 88 climate solution at the 2015 United change action. This leaked intelli- are legally binding; meaning reduction of our emissions would result Nations Conference on Climate gence implores we the people to call that future elected leaders could in bringing our current 400-ppm levels Change. For the first time in the for a more tenable solution. renege on their nation’s commit- of CO2 down to 350-ppm – a target world’s history, representatives from 97 ments at anytime. widely acknowledged by scientific 195 countries acknowledged the experts as the necessary level for our importance of climate change and 102, 103 These potentially fatalistic deficiencies future. reached a landmark accord committing urge us to ask: is token action that falls their nations to lower greenhouse short of achieving climate justice more gas emissions.92 insidious than taking no action at all?

32 33 CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS PROJECTED ATMOSPHERIC CO2 CONCENTRATIONS TODAY’S BUSINESS- REVOLUTIONARY PROBLEM AS-USUAL CHANGE (CO2 CONCENTRATIONS (CO2 CONCENTRATIONS RISE TO 800 PPM) REDUCE TO 350 PPM)

1000

INEQUALITY Low-income and at-risk Innovations to reduce 900 IS RISING communities are most im- greenhouse gas emissions BUSINESS-AS-USUAL pacted by climate change’s promote job growth and injurious impacts.104 drive economic opportu- 800 nities.

700 PEOPLE ARE Fat cats continue spend Raising awareness about BEING TICKED substantial sums of money climate change helps spur 600 to propagate climate national and international change myths.105 policies to address the

500 issue. REVOLUTIONARY CHANGE 400 PEOPLE ARE Climate change is projected People band together to BEING DIVIDED to cause mass migrations tackle climate change and and social turmoil: further rein in our greenhouse gas 100 dividing we the people.106 emissions.

2000 2020 2040 2060 2080 2100 CIVIL RIGHTS The Pentagon is already Improved living conditions YEAR ARE UNDER training 20,000 troops and a better quality of life ATTACK to subdue climate rebels. curtail the need for repres- Civil rights continue sive governments to subdue to crumble.107 climate change activists. To give some more flavor between the The table at right underscores how the difference of what 800-ppm and 350- problems we face today will either ppm means, the table at right overlays be magnified or alleviated by the ARMED Armed conflict is rises Reducing greenhouse gas climate change with the same issues business-as-usual or revolutionary CONFLICT IS as much as 50% due to emissions has a direct cor- we examined in the Capitalism at Work pathway. INCREASING variations in climate and relation to curtail episodes table. precipitation.108 of armed conflict.

34 35 CLIMATE CHANGE SCENARIOS CONT. Why, in today’s status quo, would installing clandestine software into fat cats want to drop so much money their cars in order to sidestep legally simply to spread a whole bunch of required greenhouse gas emissions hullabaloo? The answer is surprisingly testing. As a result, cars with this secret GOVERNMENT Despite the overwhelm- People’s demand for simple: tackling climate change means software emitted up to 40 times the IS PARALYZED ing amount of scientific climate change action helps changing business-as-usual and there allowable levels of pollution before the evidence, some Members of to compel our leaders to are lots of fat cats who fail to see crime was uncovered in 2015.118 Congress continue to deny take the much-needed steps the market opportunity that lies with 109 that climate change exists. toward progress. radical economic and social-based Some difficult questions arise when innovation. recognizing the direct hand of fat cats FOOD & Climate change substan- Sustainable farming in human-caused climate change. But WATER tially interrupts food practices are implemented Coincidentally, some of the most influ- topics like if it is greedy individuals JEOPARDIZED production and reduces to minimize environmental ential climate mythologists are fat cats or the nature of capitalism itself that the amount of available degradation. with ties to the same industries directly perpetuates climate inaction are com- drinking water.110 responsible releasing large amounts of plex ones to deliberate. As such, this is greenhouse gas emissions.114 According fodder for further discussion (examined to the U.S. Environmental Protection more extensively in Part III on page HUMAN- All of the problems out- Solving climate change Agency: deforestation, industrial 119, where we weigh the merits of cap- CAUSED lined throghout this table means taking significant processes, and large-scale agricultural italist and post-capitalist solutions). CLIMATE continue to magnify, lead- and courageous actions to practices are all responsible for con- CHANGE IS ing to unlivable conditions. reduce our greenhouse gas tributing to climate change. By far, the At this point of the rebel fight, the big- OCCURRING emissions. largest greenhouse gas emissions stems ger and most pressing takeaway is that from burning coal, oil, and natural gas no meaningful and substantial climate for energy.115, 116 change action is being taken in today’s rendition of capitalism. There are fat CAPITALISM = CLIMATE CHAOS The lengths that fat cats in these indus- cats among us who are actively work- tries have gone to in order to propagate ing to derail tenable climate solutions. If climate change poses such substan- comparison, polling indicates that 77% climate mistruths ought to raise The longer revolutionary change is tial and immediate threats, why is so of Americans believe that there are eyebrows. Recent reports suggest that delayed, the more injurious the impacts little action being taken to solve this signs that aliens have visited our earth.112 large oil companies have known about of climate change will become. problem? Further, why is the 2015 the perils of climate change since the United Nations climate accord at such To better understand the underpinnings 1970s and have actively worked to hide grave risk of failure? of zany numbers such as these, we its risks from the general public.117 must revisit A Rebel Handbook’s “MAN IS A PART OF NATURE, Despite the overwhelming evidence of central antagonist, capitalism. Today, Other fossil-fuel-hungry industries AND HIS WAR AGAINST human-caused climate change, there there are over 90 anti-climate change have gone even further to conceal in- is not a widespread public outcry for organizations in the U.S. operating with convenient climate truths. For example, NATURE IS INEVITABLY A progress. Only 44% of Americans an annual budget of over $900 million Volkswagen was caught red-handed WAR AGAINST HIMSELF.” believe that humans are causing this who are actively spreading climate problem.111 In a perplexing point of change myths.113 RACHEL CARSON

36 37 WHERE: SEA TO SHINING SEA

he “where” is fairly straight- capitalism, there should also be people forward: everywhere. As questioning the status quo and helping we have discussed, climate to drive progress. One particularly Tchange will impact the entire planet – acute place of focus is the United necessitating rebels from all corners of States. As one of the world’s largest the world to link arms in our demand greenhouse gas emitters, the U.S. has for a just future. a clear and integral role to play in helping to address greenhouse gas Today’s implementation of capitalism emissions.122 is marked by the relentless pursuit of global growth and expansion in As the world’s wealthiest nation order to maximize revenue. From (measured by gross domestic product), clear-cutting forests in the Amazon, the U.S. also represents the epicenter to natural resource disputes in the 123 “HOPE WILL NEVER BE SILENT.” of modern capitalism. However, South China Sea, to recent attempts we would be shortsighted if we did to mine minerals from asteroids in not also consider America’s rippling HARVEY MILK outer space – the tentacles of hungry economic impact on other countries fat cats and the environmental throughout the world when identifying degradation caused by these exploits the nature of global inequality. reach far and wide.119, 120, 121 In the subsections that follow, we As the result, the “where” is focused examine what it means to question quite broadly: wherever there is the status quo as a rebel in America.

38 39 INEQUALITY IS RISING

We also explore what impact this REBELS IN AMERICA New Jersey for example: Whether you are already aware of concentrated power of wealth has on where an approved and in- these three particular injustices or the other countries by looking at economic When reading through the colossal stalled mural commemorating stories are news to you, these disparate theories like externalized costs. Impor- injustices we face in the Things Suck Michael Brown was sandblast- incidents are intended to help illustrate 125 tantly, we highlight how social media chapter on page 15, it can be easy to ed away by authorities. the range of grievances we rebels incur tools like Facebook and Twitter enable become overwhelmed. Someone might on a daily basis and the geographic • SHAKING PEOPLE’S rebels to be connected everywhere in be inclined to make a statement like: diversity in which they happen. HOMES (OK): The stories the world with unprecedented ease and “I’m just one person. The actions I take of environmental degrada- affordability. in my community cannot singlehand- By sounding the alarm about either tion in America are vast and edly solve climate change or counter specific or system-wide injustices, numerous. Take Oklahoma for While the economics of externali- the big-time injustices inequality.” one voice helps to call out the ties, technicalities of greenhouse gas instance, which experienced problems we face, raises awareness over 500 earthquakes in 2014, emissions, and nuances of social media If you yourself have a predisposition to around these issues, and creates placing both people and prop- and can grow quite intricate in nature, make a statement such as this, you’re linkages between seemingly disparate erty at risk. The Oklahoma Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. summed it not wrong. One singular person can injustices. However, doing so across state government conceded up quite simply during the Civil Rights admittedly not solve massive issues our 3,500,000+ square mile nation that the state’s exponential 130 struggle of the 1960s with his notion to like climate change. But being a rebel is not the simplest task. 124 rise in earthquakes is “very pursue justice everywhere. in America is not solely about working likely” caused by fracking to tackle the biggest problems we face. When America’s first rebels were fight- for natural gas.126, 127 Being a rebel in America is also about ing the rebel fight in the 1700s, their living out the words prescribed by Dr. struggle centered within the confines of • POLITICAL “INJUSTICE Martin King Jr.: calling out all injus- just 13 colonies. During the American MALFEASANCE (MO): tices, from the minute to the massive, Revolution, community-based militias Political injustices occur ANYWHERE IS when we bear witness. were formed across the colonies. across states, in large cities, Instead of traveling far and wide, rebel and in small towns. Let us A THREAT For these readers that might remain militias remained in their hometowns consider what transpired in the 131 unconvinced that localized injustices to safeguard their local communities. small town of Parma, Missouri TO JUSTICE can and do occur in this great nation, as one example. In November the three examples below are intended While our country is certainly a whole 2015, Tyus Byrd was elected EVERYWHERE.” to showcase the myriad of injustices lot larger today than it was then, the to serve as the first Afri- we faced in 2015. American revolutionary tactics of DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. can-American Mayor of Parma, community solidarity, skepticism of • CENSORSHIP IN replacing a politician who authority, and co-operative self-help served as mayor for 37 years. ACTION (NJ): When are still germane. The rebel fight for Just hours before her swearing insurrection occurs, like the progress greatly benefits from people in ceremony, five out of the people’s response to the police keeping their eyes open for injustices six town’s all-white police shooting of unarmed Michael and crying foul if injustices occur with- force quit and other municipal Brown in Missouri, those in in their communities. Unlike rebels officials resigned.128, 129 power like to curtail the people’s voice. Consider Trenton,

40 41 from the 1700s, no guns are required While early industrializers like the For example, industrialization typically today: we have other rebel tools to “CLIMATE CHANGE DOES U.S. and Europe might not have as goes hand in hand with the painful raise awareness, like social media and many carbon-polluting factories and in- reality of externalizing costs (like the nonviolent rebel jokes. NOT RESPECT BORDER; cidents of compromised air quality that price of polluting, child labor, and IT DOES NOT RESPECT they once did when helping to birth the unlivable wages). Costs like these are From the street corners of small towns, Industrial Revolution, the smoke stacks not often reflected on the price tag of WHO ARE RICH AND to the remote wilderness locations of of Industrialization have not disap- what’s for sale in stores today. But if capitalism’s environmental exploits, POOR, SMALL AND BIG. peared. They have simply migrated enough rebels around the world are 135 to the centers of big cities – we rebels THEREFORE, THIS IS WHAT over to other countries. roaring the rebel roar against injustice have long been there and we will con- and inequality, we the people stand a tinue to be there, roaring the rebel roar. WE CALL ‘GLOBAL Today, some of the nations with ev- greater chance of bringing attention to And one of the best perks: no commut- CHALLENGES,’ WHICH er-increasing greenhouse gas emissions issues such as these. By doing so, we ing time or travel expense required. are ones that are themselves going can help avert inhumane working con- REQUIRE GLOBAL through the transformative process ditions and environmental injustice. SOLIDARITY.” BAN KI-MOON of increasing their manufacturing output.136 With the luxury of retrospect in America’s own episode of industrialization, there is an opportunity to learn from the past and help avert some REBELS IN THE WORLD of the harmful externalities generally tethered to industrialization.

With America sitting at the epicenter tackle climate change. The other is that of today’s capitalist exploits, many today’s implementation of capitalism in TOP 5 GREENHOUSE GAS EMITTING LOCATIONS (2011)136 of the strategies in this handbook America has a direct impact on people 132 e )

are designed to target capitalism in all over the world. 2 12 America. These tactics can and should 10 be reworked and repositioned because As discussed earlier in the Climate rebels of the world are equally critical Change chapter on page 27, human-in- 8 to the success of the rebel fight. duced climate change started really 6 revving to life during the Industrial There are two central reasons why Revolution − and America had a key 4 rebels in America and rebels through- hand in defining the age of industrial- 2 out the world need to link arms to ization.133 Since the Industrial Revolu- TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS ( GtCO TOTAL combat the multitude of injustices we tion first began, humans have increased 0 face today. One is that global action is atmospheric carbon dioxide concen- CHINA U.S. EUROPEAN INDIA RUSSIA UNION needed to rein in the sum total of our trations by approximately a third from COUNTRY greenhouse gas emissions and truly pre-industrial levels.134

42 43 REBELS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB

What do the Triangle Fire in New cally bounded constraints and bringing “CENSORSHIP IS SAYING: ‘I’M York, NY and seemingly unrelated together various outcries of injustice. factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh For example, police involvement in the THE ONE WHO SAYS THE LAST have in common? In the case of the geographically dispersed fatalities of 1911 Triangle Fire, over 100 garment U.S. citizens like Eric Garner, Michael SENTENCE. WHATEVER YOU workers burned to death inside a Brown, and Freddie Gray have ampli- New York City factory.137 In the 2013 fied into a unified call for action with SAY, THE CONCLUSION IS MINE.’ Bangladesh incident, a structurally un- the World Wide Web.141 sound factory collapsed and over 1,000 BUT THE INTERNET IS LIKE A garment workers lost their lives.138 Rebels throughout the world can now communicate and collaborate on ideas TREE THAT IS GROWING. THE Although separated by space and time, more easily. Conversations no longer both incidents resulted in a significant have to be led by global world leaders PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS HAVE loss of life for at-risk workers and or capitalist executives flying from underscore the ongoing struggle for country to country. As a result, rebel THE LAST WORD - EVEN IF workplace justice in the labor move- strategies designed for one community ment.139, 140 In each case, workers faced can be reworked and shared online to SOMEONE HAS A VERY WEAK, hazardous conditions to drive down be more impactful in another commu- consumer costs (locked doors in New nity or country. Success with any spe- QUIET VOICE. SUCH POWER York and an unsafe building in Dhaka). cific rebel struggle can be disseminated Both also embody the externalized widely to share lessons learned. And WILL COLLAPSE BECAUSE OF costs of capitalism in action. injustices can be broadcasted immedi- ately when they occur. AI WEIWEI Seemingly disjointed injustices can be A WHISPER.” overlaid and better understood when Some rebels face political landscapes we employ social media to connect dominated by repressiveness and the dots between the true costs of censorship. However, with the advent commodities under capitalism. Entirely of the online world, rebels in some new conversations can take place with areas can more easily navigate through social media, like how the geogra- these roadblocks. When possible, they phy of externalized costs has shifted can share stories of the rebel struggle between 1911 and 2013. and learn how to safely and effectively pursue social change in their home The online world presents opportu- communities. nities for rebels to band together like never before, soaring above geographi- The world is counting on it.

44 45 WHO: REBELS AND NON-REBELS

nlike capitalism, which is Non-rebels: you’re invited to join the often nebulous and difficult rebel fun anytime. for people to define, the word Urebel often evokes immediate concern or sharp criticism. We rebels are called liars by some climate change skeptics. We are labeled as troublemakers and “THE FIRST rule-breakers. But ultimately, most rebels are simply concerned citizens RESISTANCE who dare to question the status quo. TO SOCIAL During America’s last revolution, people were broadly classified as loyal- CHANGE IS TO ists or rebels. Loyalists, or non-rebels, “NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF were married to the status quo and did SAY IT’S NOT THOUGHTFUL, COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN not rally behind American Indepen- dence. Rebels fought for the change CHANGE THE WORLD; INDEED, IT’S THE that established the United States of NECESSARY.” America. ONLY THING THAT EVER HAS.” GLORIA STEINEM We’re faced with a similar plight MARGARET MEAD around the myriad of problems we face today. Rebels: let the fun begin.

46 47 NON-REBELS Elections in 2012. The candidates • Rebels can be parents who take • Rebels are indigenous peoples that outspent their opponents won action to protect their children’s who organize to stop being 145 • Non-rebels do not believe today’s 95% of them. future, or children who take trampled on by capitalism’s way problems are real. action because they see the of doing business. • Non-rebels are also people who imperative for progress. • Non-rebels may be scared about safeguard the 1%. They may be • Rebels are musicians, artists, today’s problems but are under police officers, FBI agents, or • Rebels are individuals who dancers, and poets who help the illusion that there is not any- soldiers. demand that all people have equal inspire us for change. thing they can do to help. political, social, and economic • Non-rebels are anyone that has freedoms – regardless of race, • Rebels are people who work • Non-rebels are loyalists been sold on the idea that there is ethnicity, gender, sexuality, creed, together and have each other’s committed to the status quo. no way of doing business better religion, age, or disability. back. They put petty differences than the way it is done today. aside and unite to work together • Non-rebels may be too afraid to • Rebels might be academics who for a global good. take action or too apathetic. They • Non-rebels are people with the have learned that studies without may be cynics who do not believe freedom to switch teams and action are not enough to incubate • Rebels are nonviolent because that change is possible. become rebels. progress. This includes climate they know that words and jokes, scientists who are ready to come not weapons, ultimately win the • Non-rebels are generally out of hiding and agitate about war. the ultra-wealthy: the 1% of REBELS the imminent need for climate American’s we discussed earlier action. • Rebels do not simply complain that hold 40% of our country’s • Rebels are people that know how about today’s problems: they wealth.142 They may be the CEOs to have fun. • Rebels could be families who drive progress with disruptive of large corporation making have suffered from the pangs of innovations. hundreds of millions of dollars • Rebels come from all walks of hunger and are ready to demand a year.143 life. Old and young, tall and their slice of the American • Rebels have fun. Rebels create short, conservative and liberal. Dream. change. • Non-rebels include the oligarchs Anyone from any race, religion, who have taken our government gender, or sexuality can enlist in • Rebels can be immigrants that hostage, like that 1% of the rebel fight. implore their fellow citizens for American’s who contributed 68% a level playing field to advance of all United States election • Rebels question why things are upon. Rebels could also be any funding in 2012.144 the way they are and dare to of the 60 million refugees that dream that the world can become question a status quo in which • Non-rebels are Democrat or a better place. they are driven from their homes 146 Republican leaders collecting by war and persecution. campaign contributions from • Rebels are the 99%. We are the this 1%. There were 435 House majority and we are agents of change.

48 49 HOW: FUN, CAPITALISM’S KRYPTONITE

he “how” is easier than anyone and examine why fun ends up making who dictates our status quo social change a more powerful force wants us to think. The how is to counter the myriad of injustices we Tbased on identifying the pillars that face today. hold up capitalism and utilizing the principles of social change to disrupt these pillars. If we rebels chip away CAPITALISM’S at the pillars that prop up capitalism, PILLARS these actions help call out are perilous status quo and demonstrate that we the Capitalism requires the success of people stand ready for change. businesses, the stability of government “IF YOU WANT TO TELL PEOPLE and the cooperation of workers. THE TRUTH, MAKE THEM LAUGH. In equally good news: the how is much Capitalism’s twelve core pillars are more fun than fat cats would like peo- outlined on the following page. OTHERWISE, THEY’LL KILL YOU.” ple to think. Laughter has and always will be more everlasting than a bullet. OSCAR WILDE And this, in essence, is our how.

Here, we identify the pillars of capitalism and tenets of social change,

50 51 BUSINESS GOVERNMENT WORKERS

PROFIT: TAXES: CONSUMPTION: CAPITALISM Businesses need to Government needs The more people generate profit to stay money to operate and it consume, the more in business. primarily collects these their money helps funds through taxes pay other capitalists. OWNERSHIP: and fees. Capitalism relies on Business profit is this consumption. contingent on RULES: capitalists owning Capitalism thrives on VOTING: BUSINESS GOVERNMENT WORKERS economic assets, thus stability so it creates a Voting helps keep the concept of things set of rules for people capitalist government’s like “private” property. to obey. For example, running: people have imposing an early to support capitalist CAPITAL: curfew for rebels. candidates to legitimize Businesses need to a victory. raise capital to contin- ENFORCEMENT: ue expanding. Think: Government needs to LOYALTY:

lines of credit and the be able to enforce its Capitalism wins if

RULES

TAXES

PROFIT APATHY

stock market. rule in order to keep people think it’s the VOTING

CAPITAL LOYALTY

capitalism as the ruling best way to live. CURRENCY EFFICIENCY

EFFICIENCY: party. OWNERSHIP

APATHY: ENFORCEMENT

Time is money in CONSUMPTION capitalism. The more CURRENCY: If people have stable efficient a business can Capitalism runs on jobs and a decent be, the more profit they currency: the exchange quality of life, they’re stand to make. of money between not as likely to people is what keeps question capitalism capitalism going. or break the rules.

52 53 THE CHAIN OF COMMUNITY ORGANIZING: SOCIAL CHANGE Movements are only successful if they organize lots of people. People work- The chain of social change is based ing together are more effective than on simple and historically proven people working apart. There are lots of principles. Each of the strategies in the people fighting for different areas of handbook is rooted in these princi- social change today. Unifying around CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE ples because rebels linking together a singular theme, like capitalism, helps are stronger than capitalism’s shaky to grow rebel ranks. foundation.147 NONVIOLENCE: GENERATING GUERRILLA CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE: Thinking about bringing a knife to the AWARENESS TACTICS Civil disobedience is about taking drone fight? Think twice because you’ll direct action and daring to disavow most certainly lose. But that’s ok, be- laws that are widely understood to be cause organizing through nonviolence unjust. For example, breaking the Jim has proven to be more effective (think Crow laws (1890-1965) that legally about the civil right success in the ‘60s called for African-American segrega- against those unjust Jim Crow laws). tion. The premise of civil disobedience Rebels should not only use nonvio- is that when lots of people start to say lence because it helps us win, but also SOCIAL no to orders, compliance cannot be because of our moral compass. How CHANGE forced upon us. can we be agents of positive change if we perpetuate violence and harm? GUERRILLA TACTICS: GENERATING AWARENESS: Successful social change movements generally employ clever and cunning Ultimately, all social change is for guerrilla tactics that can outmatch and naught if the tactics employed do not outpace the cumbersome bureaucracy help to raise awareness. Generating of larger systems, like capitalism. The public awareness helps earn support premise behind guerrilla warfare is that and grows the ranks of rebels. targeted disruptions that require few NONVIOLENCE COMMUNITY people can still have a strong punch. ORGANIZING With historical roots in warfare itself, guerrilla tactics have burgeoned to include nonviolent strategies like performance art and guerrilla gardening.

54 55 CAPITALISM’SCAPITALISM’S BORINGBORING TACTICSTACTICS VERSUSVERSES VERSES FUNFUN REBELSREBELS ININ ACTIONACTION FUN REBELS IN ACTION

Rebels have been at the rebel fight Fat cats have billions of dollars at throughout our nation’s history. Rebelsstake and have they been always at the get rebel scared fight when American-Indian Wars. Shay’s throughoutpeople start our expressing nation’s discontenthistory. Amer with- Rebels have been at the rebel fight Fat cats have billions of dollars at Rebellion. The Underground Railroad. ican-Indianthe way that Wars. they’ve Shay’s been Rebellion. running the throughout our nation’s history. Amer- stake and they always get scared when The Bonus Army. Pullman Strike. Civil Theshow. Underground Capitalism hasRailroad. generally The beaten Bonus ican-Indian Wars. Shay’s Rebellion. people start expressing discontent with Right’s Movement. Alcatraz Occu- Army.back us Pullman rebels in Strike. the same Civil old Right’s way The Underground Railroad. The Bonus the way that they’ve been running the pation (‘69). WTO Summit. Occupy. Movement.with the same Alcatraz old tactics. Occupation Check out(‘69). Army. Pullman Strike. Civil Right’s show. Capitalism has generally beaten Ferguson. Now. To name a few. WTOthe two Summit. photos Occupy.at right to Ferguson. see how little Movement. Alcatraz Occupation (‘69). back us rebels in the same old way Now.had changed To name in a their few. strategy from WTO Summit. Occupy. Ferguson. with the same old tactics. Check out 1999 to 2012. Now. To name a few. the two photos below to see how little Fat cats have billions of dollars at had changed in their strategy from stake and they always get scared when 1999 to 2012. people start expressing discontent with America’s Rebels (1999) World Trade Organization Summit. Seattle, WA. the way that they’ve been running the show. Capitalism has generally beaten Rebels: Laugher > Pepperback us rebels in the Spray same old way with the same old tactics. Check out Rebels: Laugher > Pepper Spray. Ourthe fight two photosis not newbelow but to our see tactics how littleare revamped.OUR For FIGHTone of the first times IS in the NOT rebelhad struggle changed NEW we’re in their focused strategy BUT on havingfrom fun and we’re trying to make capitalists laugh. 1999 to 2012. OUR TACTICS ARE REVAMPED. WE’RE FOCUSEDREBELS: ON HAVING LAUGHER > PEPPER SPRAY. OUR FUN AND TRYINGFIGHT TO ISMAKE NOT NEW CAPITALISTS LAUGHBUT OUR FOR TACTICS ONE ARE REVAMPED. FOR OF THE FIRST TIMES IN THE ONE OF THE FIRST REBEL STRUGGLE. America’s Rebels (2012) Occupy Protests. Davis, CA.

56 57 FUN, CAPITALISM’S KRYPTONITE Though we rebels might march onward The making of salt in 1930s and with the fortification of laughter, our standing up to water canons in the forward steps for progress do not come 1960s urges us rebels to acknowledge Capitalism’s survival is dependent away his singular right to dissent. at the expense of forgetting the rebel the historical sacrifices that have been on finding winning ways to beat back The force-feeding procedure involved past and the countless sacrifices that made, and that will doubtlessly con- social change strategies. And capitalists strapping Diyab into a restraint chair have been made. While the high-pres- tinue to be made in the ongoing rebel have found lots of powerful tactics and inserting a tube through his nose sure fire hoses and police dogs struggle for progress. This reality of against classic social change methods. and down his throat.150, 151 unleashed on nonviolent civil rights risk grows all the more acute today: Cleverly, they often manage to do protesters in the 1960s is the antithesis the powers that imperil progress so without infringing upon the First Some classic social change tactics, of fun, the courage demonstrated demonstrate an ever-increasing Amendment protections of speech, such as hunger strikes, have been by our rebel forebears remains willfulness to pepper spray us, 152 press, and assembly.148 rendered inert. But here’s some good everlasting. force-feed us, and spy on us. news: even though hunger strikes were Take the case they make to try and once a preferred social change tactic, Mahatma Gandhi’s rebel work in Despite the formidable power of those persuade someone to sit out a protest, there are other nonviolent tactics that India serves as another beacon of hope who impede the inevitability of prog- for example. Showing up to a protest can be safer. from our rebel past. In 1930, Gandhi’s ress, any attempt to subdue our rebel is not inherently illegal, but getting enduring Salt March against British roar is ultimately in vain. No one can pepper sprayed in the face at a protest Today, becoming a rebel for progress colonialism precipitated the arrests of ever take away our freedom to smile blows. In fact, it sucks so much that does not have to go hand-in-hand with nearly 60,000 dissidents in the months and make someone else laugh with lots of people might think twice about pepper spray or hunger strikes. Con- that followed. Gandhi’s nonviolent a rebel joke. The indelible power of participating in the first place. trary to what fat cats might tell us, the act of civil disobedience during the laughter is an unbreakable foundation road to progress can actually be a lot Salt March were cunning and simple: with which a pathway to progress can And consider what capitalists did to of fun. With this in mind, the strategies breaking an unjust law that prevented be built upon. neutralize another rebel classic: hunger in A Rebel’s Handbook are dually Indians from collecting and selling strikes. Capitalists watched Mahatma designed to disrupt capitalism’s pillars salt in order to disrupt British profit Rebels: if we’re not laughing, 153 Gandhi use hunger strikes to nonvio- and to have fun. margins. we’re losing. lently disrupt colonialism in India and they certainly wanted to find a way to That’s largely because capitalism’s stop a repeat.149 biggest weak point is that it takes itself too seriously. As you’ll see in Now fast-forward to what capitalists Part II on page 61, pranks, jokes, and “STRENGTH DOES NOT COME do to hunger strikers in the present laughter are all very dangerous forces day. Jihad Ahmed Mujstafa Diyab was for capitalism. If we can have fun AND held for over 12 years at Guantanamo disrupt capitalism, then we are at the FROM PHYSICAL CAPACITY. IT Bay without a trial. In protest, he went beginning of an entirely new chapter in on a hunger strike. In response, the the rebel fight toward progress. COMES FROM AN INDOMITABLE U.S. Government ruled that Diyab MAHATMA GANDHI could be force-fed, effectively taking WILL.”

58 59 PART II:GET SET REBEL ROAR

“IF YOUR REGIME IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE A JOKE, THEN YOU HAVE NO REGIME.”

JON STEWART

60 61 WHAT: REBEL HEATSHEET

he 21 strategies in Part II are A) DISSENT: all designed to be fun and Social change begins by regular people funny. Capitalism may hold deciding that they themselves are ready Tbillions of dollars and enough bombs to raise their voice and take direct to wreck the world, but laughter makes action. fat cats shake in their boots. Because humor is the one thing that capitalism, B) COMBINE FORCES: try as it might, can never eradicate. Social change only succeeds when lots of people organize and unite around With the principles of capitalism and one problem, like capitalism. social change in mind, the Rebel Heat- sheet offers 21 social change strategies C) CRACK JOKES: to disrupt the assumptions around cap- Social change will only win if a move- italism’s most vital pillars. The rebel “THE TIME IS NEAR AT HAND WHICH ment can identify their opponent’s fight is fortified by having fun: the key weakest point. Humor is capitalism’s MUST DETERMINE WHETHER AMERICANS rebel ingredient in all 21 strategies. kryptonite.

ARE TO BE FREE MEN OR SLAVES.” The Heatsheet is divided into a four- D) VIVA LA REVOLUTION: step process to build lasting social Social change movements will only GEORGE WASHINGTON change: succeed if something entirely new can be put forward that’s better than today’s business-as-usual.

62 63 The Rebel Heatsheet on the following sums up all 21 strategies. The lowdown REBEL HEATSHEET and As, Bs, and Cs of each tactic are explained more fully throughout Part II. HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM

• REBEL: A) DISSENT: SPEAK OUT Provides the “how to” for each tactic. 1) Smile, Making people smile with random acts of Be Happy kindness DISRUPTS capitalism’s myth that • DISRUPT CAPITALISM: strangers are unkind. Explains why the tactic disrupts our status quo. 2) Walk on the Learning local laws and defying the silly Wild Side ones DISRUPTS capitalism’s meme to • HAVE FUN: “follow the rules.” If we rebels stop having fun, we’re losing. 3) Get Weird Embracing funky styles, like spoof suits, DISRUPTS capitalism’s boring fashion rules. Every tactic also includes a “bonus” because there’s always room for rebel creativity to improve and refine our 4) Take a Dive rebel tactics (like taking a strategy that Recycling strategies, like dumpster diving, works well in one particular place and DISRUPTS capitalism’s drive for constant reworking it for another location). consumption.

B) COMBINE FORCES: ORGANIZE Rebels: you’ve finished Part I, which was all about getting ready. Now 5) Do a Little Participating in “spontaneous” flash mobs you’re into Part II, all about beginning Dance, Make DISRUPTS capitalism’s control of public spaces. to roar the rebel roar. Are you set? A Little Love

6) Forward Staging catchy protests with clever costumes March DISRUPTS capitalism’s determination to hide from the media.

7) Curb Filling empty meters to sidestep parking tickets Penalty DISRUPTS capitalism’s ability to collect Fees* government revenue.

64 65 REBEL HEATSHEET (CONT’D) REBEL HEATSHEET (CONT’D)

HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM

8) Pop a Squat Squatting with friends DISRUPTS capitalism’s D) VIVA LA REVOLUTION: CREATE CHANGE definition of property rights. 15) Share if Using peer-to-peer platforms, like ridesharing, You Care DISRUPTS capitalism’s affinity for monopolies. 9) Stike a Burning symbolic objects with Flag Burn Match Parties DISRUPTS capitalism’s dependency for public apathy. 16) Get By w/ Using alternative payments, such as bartering, a Little DISRUPTS capitalism’s dollar dependency. C) CRACK JOKES: PUNCHY PRANKS Help from Your Friends

10) Applaud Issuing satirical awards, like “polluter of the Your year,” DISRUPTS capitalism’s plea for 17) Fix The Vote Electing funny fake leaders, like Mickey Mouse, Adversaries consumerism without question. DISRUPTS capitalism’s legitimacy to operate.

11) Turn On, Surfing the web with free ad blockers Tune In, DISRUPTS capitalism’s investment in online 18) Fight Like Developing new and nonviolent guerrilla Drop Out infrastructure. a Guerrilla tactics DISRUPTS capitalism’s ability to laugh off funny rebels.

12) Play Hooky Joining group hooky days out of the office DISRUPTS capitalism’s foundation of 19) Burn the Living the burner life at Burning Man Man workforce support. DISRUPTS capitalism’s sales-pitch that it’s the best way to live.

13) Take a Gaming classic payment methods with Penny 20) Brainstorm Organizing rebel events to brainstorm our Swipe Swipes DISRUPTS capitalism’s insatiable the Future future DISRUPTS capitalism’s plan to stick appetite for cheap credit. with business-as-usual.

14) Layoff Bypassing gas payments with “bike to work 21) Spread the Writing messages in bottles to share The Pump parties,” DISRUPTS capitalism’s bet on the Word #RebelCocktails DISRUPTS capitalism’s attempt stock market. to stem a rebel revolution.

*Tactic seven is intended to be illustrative in nature in order to highlight the importance oF revenue collection. Actually adding change into someone else’s expired meter IS ILLEGAL and A Rebel’s Handbook DOES NOT condone or encourage doing so under any circumstance.

66 67 A) DISSENT SPEAK OUT

SOCIAL CHANGE BEGINS BY REGULAR PEOPLE DECLARING

THAT THEY THEMSELVES ARE READY TO RAISE THEIR VOICE. THE STRATEGIES IN SECTION A FOCUS ON FUN AND SIMPLE WAYS FOR YOU TO START SAYING “NO” TO CAPITALISM.

68 69 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S MYTH THAT STRANGERS ARE UNKIND

A) REBEL: Step one is an easy rebel recipe. It just takes you, a stranger, and one random act of kindness. For example: you can do something simple like hold the door open for someone you don’t know. If you do, that stranger should end up smiling (Test: if they’re not smiling, double check that you’re not being a weirdo). Most people will smile, because the reality is this: who’s not touched by someone doing something nice for someone else? Rebels: if you find yourself confronted by riot police, you can also help disarm them with unexpected kindness. How about sharing some warm coffee when you’re out protesting on a cold morning?

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalism’s myth that strangers are unkind or untrustworthy ends up making people feel more divided than we actually are. To put it another way, doesn’t it feel like there are endless mountains and valleys dividing liberals and conservatives? But the simple reality is, we’re all just people who mainly want the same old things: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. If enough people start helping out others, our message becomes 1. SMILE, BE HAPPY resolved: we are uniting.

C) HAVE FUN: Hopefully a well-intentioned act of kindness sounds more fun than boring alternatives, like watching more TV. Have you ever done a random act of kindness and watched a big smile leap onto a stranger’s face? MAKING PEOPLE SMILE WITH RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S MYTH THAT STRANGERS ARE UNKIND

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Capitalism makes people get super “HUMAN KINDNESS HAS weird with money. For a bonus, fold NEVER WEAKENED THE money into your random act of kind- THE LOWDOWN: Helping strangers out with random acts of kindness starts ness to increase your disruptiveness. STAMINA OR SOFTENED breaking down the barriers that today’s form of capitalism has placed between us. Hint: next time you’re paying for food THE FIBER OF A FREE Think about how people typically avert their eyes from everyone on a big city subway, on a long lunch line, disrupt capitalism, PEOPLE. A NATION DOES for example. Yet, in reality, almost any person in any city would be happy to assist and randomly treat the stranger behind you if you actually needed help. Being a rebel begins by helping other people to you. NOT HAVE TO BE CRUEL disrupt the myth that strangers are unkind. TO BE TOUGH.”

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

70 71 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S MEME TO “FOLLOW THE RULES”

A) REBEL: Most people are already breaking capitalism’s meme “to follow the rules” on a daily basis without even realizing it. There are so many silly laws it’s hard to keep track of them. To name a couple: it is illegal to play dominos on Sundays in Alabama and to curse in front of two or more people in Mississippi.154, 155 For this tactic, search around online for silly laws in your community. Next, consider defiance. Alabama rebels: interested in a Sunday game of dominos?

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalism is dependent on having a government that can create and enforce laws. The capitalist meme to “follow the rules” traces back to as early as the 1700s when Jean-Jacques Rousseau published one of capitalism’s most revered texts, The Social Contract.156 According to this capitalist bible, if rebels start breaking laws, then we’re breaking our social contract (and making a really big headache for capitalism). Rebels throughout history have bravely defied this social contract to call out unjust laws and demonstrate how difficult it can be for authorities to enforce compliance against 2. WALK ON THE dissenting citizenry (like that 1930 Salt March example we discussed earlier). WILD SIDE C) HAVE FUN: Some rebels choose to question unjust laws by engaging in courageous acts of civil disobedience. Their actions generally come with severe risks like prosecution, arrest, or death. However, there are other ways that rebels can flirt with the wild side and minimize the risk of reprimand. For tactic two, have fun by identifying humorous laws that are enjoyable to break and generally LEARNING LOCAL LAWS AND DEFYING THE unenforced. Did somebody say skinny dipping? SILLY ONES DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S MEME

TO “FOLLOW THE RULES” BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Identifying silly laws requires time and “NOTHING IS MORE effort, especially because rules vary by DESTRUCTIVE OF community. For a bonus, share your research findings with other nearby RESPECT FOR THE rebels to help keep the good times THE LOWDOWN: Most people’s default is to follow the rules and capitalism runs GOVERNMENT AND THE rolling. on this compliance. Example: plenty of people don’t jaywalk, even when they can do LAW OF THE LAND THAN so safely, just because the law says so. With lots of capitalists losing sleep by the constant threat of rebels breaking big-time rules (like paying taxes), we rebels can plan a PASSING LAWS WHICH surprise attack by defying silly and unenforced rules instead. CANNOT BE ENFORCED.”

ALBERT EINSTEIN

72 73 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S BORING FASHION RULES

A) REBEL: Disrupting capitalism’s fashion rules is fun and easy: just dress in a funky way. Whatever feels cool and liberating to you. Buzzing your hair, growing out your hair, getting a tattoo, or as Lady Gaga suggests, using sequins. No wrong way to dress here. The main name of the game is finding a fashion that’s different from capitalism’s same-old boring wardrobe. All kinds of styles should be embraced in an effort to help promote tolerance.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: People who don’t dress the part don’t do to well under capitalism’s current fashion rules. Example: people with visible tattoos generally have a harder time getting a high-paying capitalist job.157 Even more malignant than our right to self-expression is the prejudices perpetuated by capitalism’s fashion sensibilities. Take the Seminole Independent School District in Texas for instance. In 2014, a five-year old Native American student was sent home from his first day of kindergarten because his culturally significant ponytail was against the school district’s rules.158 Taking action can help disrupt 3. GET WEIRD capitalisms longstanding edict for us to dress and act in a similar and stodgy way. C) HAVE FUN: If you look back at history, rebels have not always had the best fashion sensibility. Let’s face it: military fatigues or bland worker shirts are just not the most fun. Use your fashion freedom for something new and daring. The more fun and funky you look, the more we rebels will help catch attention and EMBRACING FUNKY STYLES, LIKE SPOOF raise awareness about our perilous status quo. SUITS, DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S BORING FASHION RULES BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Capitalism’s fashion standards “AND NOW, I’M JUST encourage buying lots of cheap and new clothing on a frequent basis. TRYING TO CHANGE THE But this comes with hidden costs, like THE LOWDOWN: It may not seem like capitalism has a dress code at first glance, WORLD, ONE SEQUIN AT child labor and slave-like factory but look closer. Stockbrokers typically wear suits, cops have scary Star Wars style working conditions. For a bonus, A TIME.” LADY GAGA protest gear, judges have weird-looking medieval robes, and so on. Capitalism has an add second-hand clothes into the rebel unofficially official dress code and it’s pretty darn boring. Whose not tired of having style. Doing so helps disrupt vicious to wear tight ties and scratchy stockings? Rebels: let’s disrupt these fashion norms by capitalist cycles, such as externalizing getting weird. costs.

74 75 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S DRIVE FOR CONSTANT CONSUMPTION

A) REBEL: Ready to take a dive and do something fun and different? Dumpster diving works like this: supermarkets are forced to throw out perfectly good food as their new supplies come in. They don’t want people being able to take this food for free, because then stuff on supermarket shelves has less value. Some shops go as far as hiring 24-hour security guards to keep rebels away from dumpsters. But where safe, we rebels are ready to dive right in with collection bag in hand, sturdy shoes, and protective clothing in order to help disrupt capitalism’s wastefulness. Note: this rebel tactic requires some homework to fully learn the ropes – there are lots of helpful online resources to learn how to dumpster dive safely.159

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalists hate to have anyone get anything for free because then they’re not collecting money. Take the Great Depression for example, when our federal government intentionally destroyed hundreds of millions of pounds of food to keep food prices from dipping too low.160 Instead, they could have shared this perfectly good food with the throngs of starving 4. TAKE A DIVE Americans.161 Today, capitalist drive for constant consumption causes people to buy food in excess: around 40% of food in the U.S. is not eaten each year. This amounts to around $165 billion in food that is purchased and just thrown away into landfills.162 If rebels break the drive for constant consumption with strategies like dumpster diving, we cut right into capitalisms profit margins and RECYCLING STRATEGIES, LIKE DUMPSTER highlight the problems of pervasive wastefulness. DIVING, DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S DRIVE FOR CONSTANT CONSUMPTION C) HAVE FUN: Sure dumpster diving may be sticky and slimy, but that’s part of the fun: dive in and see what treasures you’ll discover. And it gets even more fun when you save money on food. What fun things will you do with your extra cash?

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): THE LOWDOWN: If you ever feel tight on cash, you’re not alone. That’s because There are over 46.5 million Americans “AMERICANS WILL EAT corporations likes us to spend, spend, spend. By turning us into constant consumers, at risk of hunger on a daily basis.163 GARBAGE, PROVIDED capitalists stand to make even more money. Using recycling strategies, like How about seeing if any homeless second-hand clothing and dumpster diving, not only saves you money: it also disrupts people you see on the street want some YOU SPRINKLE IT capitalism drive for endless consumption. of your dumpster diving bounty? Just LIBERALLY WITH always make sure the food you’re giving out is safe and offer a fair heads KETCHUP.” HENRY JAMES up about the source.

76 77 B) COMBINE FORCES ORGANIZE

SOCIAL CHANGE ONLY SUCCEEDS WHEN LOTS OF PEOPLE ORGANIZE AND UNITE AROUND ONE PROBLEM. IN THIS CASE, CAPITALISM. THE STRATEGIES IN SECTION B ARE ALL ABOUT ORGANIZING. THEY FOCUS ON WAYS THAT REBELS CAN JOIN TOGETHER TO BE MAXIMALLY IMPACTFUL.

78 79 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S CONTROL OF PUBLIC SPACES

A) REBEL: A flash mob happens when lots of people organize to coordinate an unexpected show for the public’s entertainment and the fat cats dismay. Think: a team of rebels flooding into a mall and all dancing the Macarena or all suddenly freezing in place at the same time. Flash mobs can happen anywhere at anytime: malls, parks, train stations, restaurants, and on and on. Secret text messages and offline planning can help to make the flash mob an even bigger surprise.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Carefully planned and clandestinely coordinated flash mobs disrupts capitalists’ grasp at being able to effectively monitor and control public spaces. Capitalists have gotten really good at hindering traditional protests by requiring bureaucratic permission forms and deploying “peace- protectors” with guns. Flash mobs disrupt capitalism because they alter people’s assumptions of public spaces. They also highlight the ability for rebel’s to organize events under the radar, undetected by capitalism’s henchman. With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that cities and towns across America have 5. DO A LITTLE DANCE, introduced ordinances to ban flash mobs.164, 165 MAKE A LITTLE LOVE C) HAVE FUN: What’s not fun about busting out surprise dance moves in an unexpected place? The more fun and creative the theme of your flash mob, the more impactful it will be. Note: flash mobs have occasionally been used as a cover to loot or vandalize stores. This hooliganism is illegal and negatively disruptive. It should NOT be considered part of rebel fun. DANCING IN “SPONTANEOUS” FLASH MOBS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S CONTROL

OF PUBLIC SPACES BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): When non-rebels see rebels in action “THE ONLY THING THAT make sure they think of you as fun and CAN SOLVE MOST OF OUR kind instead of rowdy and annoying. How about offering to lend a hand to PROBLEMS IS DANCING.” THE LOWDOWN: Government is responsible for maintaining public places, the mall cleaning crew after having a JAMES BROWN like parks, and businesses are responsible for maintaining centers of commerce, like flash mob there? malls. Capitalists have gotten really sophisticated at maintaining vigilant control of these spaces because they’re scared what will happen if rebels step in and gain control. They’re thinking protests, so let’s have more fun and organize to do a little dance instead.

80 81 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S DETERMINATION TO HIDE FROM THE MEDIA

A) REBEL: Here’s two protesting scenarios: 100 rebels marching down the street in their everyday rebel fashion, or 100 clowns walking down the street with crazy costumes and impressive stage makeup. Which one do you think people will raise more awareness? The more catchy and photographic we rebels make our protests; the more people will take note. For this tactic, find one of capitalism’s injustices that is particularly concerning to you, and brainstorm a dynamic and creative way to get organized and bring increased attention to that issue.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalists do some totally crazy things and these issues go largely underreported or entirely unreported from everyday news. The omission of info like this not only emboldens capitalists, it also incubates the public apathy that helps to condone today’s business-as-usual. Using catchy protests to call capitalists out makes it harder for them to fly under the radar. For maximal impact, look up a big issue or industry that’s been out of the news (like the palm oil industry) and think about a clever protest to get it into the news.

6. FORWARD MARCH C) HAVE FUN: Halloween all year round! Who do you want to be? A clown, a zombie, or maybe just your birthday suit? Anything fun and catchy wins.

STAGING CATCHY PROTESTS WITH BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): While spontaneous flash mobs are all CLEVER COSTUMES DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S “IN DIFFICULT TIMES, about surprises, organized protests FASHION IS ALWAYS DETERMINATION TO HIDE FROM THE MEDIA don’t have to be. Previous protestors have gotten news coverage if they get OUTRAGEOUS.” arrested. For a bonus, let’s show capi- ELSA SCHIAPARELLI talists we have a new way to drum up media attention. With costume in hand, THE LOWDOWN: Creating a public spectacle with flash mobs has a place in consider planning your protest legally: disrupting capitalists’ control of public spaces. But traditional good old-fashioned notify authorities, obtain proper per- protests have a role to play too. They help call to out all the crazy stuff that fat cats mits, issue media advisories, etc. prefer to hide from the media. But the problem is, classic protesting has become so ubiquitous that many of today’s rebel protests are failing to attract the widespread media coverage they deserve. Rebels: it’s time to create some catchy protests to help spruce things up.

82 83 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S ABILITY TO COLLECT GOVERNMENT REVENUE

A) REBEL: This strategy is a play on the capitalist principle of investing. Placing a quarter into someone’s empty parking meter impedes a meter maid from being able to issue a hefty citation.167 25 cents to save someone 30 or more dollars… now that’s a good return on investment. The numbers add up even faster when rebels organize. An organized group canvassing multiple blocks with a scout to track the meter maid can quickly amount to thousands of dollars diverted from government bank accounts.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: As benign as putting a quarter into a stranger’s empty parking meter may seem, lots of local governments consider this a crime. They say you are “aiding and abetting” a criminal. Why does government have such a chip on their shoulder about something so seemingly trivial? Like businesses, government also requires a constant stream of revenue to operate. The success of a government is partly based on how efficiently they can collect revenue. Rebels’ organizing together around meter feeding demonstrates how 7. CURB PENALTY FEES easy it is to disrupt long-established assumptions around revenue enforcement. C) HAVE FUN: Ever gotten an annoying parking ticket and wished you could have retribution? Here’s your chance: have fun saving people a shitload of money. For more fun, leave a note a note on someone’s windshield (where a ticket would have gone) to explain what you did. FILLING EMPTY PARKING METERS TO SIDE- STEP PARKING TICKETS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): WARNING: THIS STRATEGY IS ABILITY TO COLLECT GOVERNMENT REVENUE INTENDED TO BE ILLUSTRATIVE IN NATURE While some people will cry foul that IN ORDER TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE curbing parking penalty fees is unfair, OF REVENUE COLLECTION. ACTUALLY here’s a sneaky little secret: it’s ADDING CHANGE INTO SOMEONE ELSE’S EXPIRED METER IS ILLEGAL AND A REBEL’S estimated that the wealthiest Amer- HANDBOOK DOES NOT CONDONE OR icans avoid paying $100 billion in ENCOURAGE DOING SO UNDER ANY tax revenue each year.168 In the spirit CIRCUMSTANCE. THE LOWDOWN: Parking meters are a fitting symbol for government’s remark- of rebel archetype Robin Hood, how able revenue-collecting efficiency. Dotting almost every major city block, these piggy about finding a fun way to publicly call banks accrue a big sack of coins for government coffers. And if someone doesn’t pay, out this wild tax discrepancy “NO ONE HAS EVER the revenue gained through government penalty fees is no small joke. Large cities, between fat cats and we the people? like New York, collect upwards of $500+ million on parking fines each year.166 BECAME POOR BY

GIVING.” ANNE FRANK

84 85 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S DEFINITION OF PROPERTY RIGHTS

A) REBEL: Squatting is the premise of setting up camp in a vacant home or plot of land. Squatters utilize space that is otherwise just dormant and they turn it into their home. To pop a squat, organize with nearby rebels to identify a vacant home or public park and plop down. Bring plenty of food and resources to chill out for a while. The good news for squatters is they’re not paying for their lodging. The bad news for capitalists is they’re losing out on revenue and their very definition of “ownership” is called into question.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Here’s some numbers that don’t quite add up: there are over 600,000 homeless Americans on any given night and an estimated 1.5 million vacant homes in our country.169, 170 Even though these homes could provide shelter, capitalists don’t want to let people crash there because than they’re losing out on revenue. Ownership is central to capitalism and fat cat vigilance to protect private property extends back for decades. In the 1940s, for example, capitalists censored verses of Woody Guthrie’s rebel classic This Land Is Your Land because they didn’t like his tenor about private property.171 More recently, 8. POP A SQUAT Occupiers helped us reconsider who owns public space.

C) HAVE FUN: Camping out with friends for a night, week or month is fun if you bring the right supplies. Think: good company, guitar, s’mores, and drinks. For any squatters hoping to remain in a place long enough to achieve legal SQUATTING WITH FRIENDS DISRUPTS squatting rights, bring enough supplies to last for a long while. Squatter’s rights CAPITALISM’S DEFINITION OF can take as long as 21 years to obtain in certain jurisdictions.172 PROPERTY RIGHTS

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Squatters have some protections “THERE WAS A BIG HIGH codified in U.S. law and these rules are WALL THERE THAT TRIED TO THE LOWDOWN: Capitalists adhere to a stringent definition of property rights worth learning because if you squat in STOP ME; SIGN WAS PAINTED, in order to maximize their profits. The idea of private property helps line capitalists’ some properties for long enough, you pockets but the people don’t do so well. For example: during the Great Recession, actually end up obtaining legal owner- IT SAID PRIVATE PROPERTY. there were lots of unoccupied homes that could have provided shelter to people. ship. For a bonus, show capitalists that BUT ON THE BACKSIDE IT Instead of letting people in, capitalist authorities forcefully kept people out. Rebels: you can play by their silly legal rules DIDN’T SAY NOTHING; THAT it’s time to take a dump on the way that capitalists define ownership. and still win the game. SIDE WAS MADE FOR YOU AND ME.” WOODY GUTHRIE

86 87 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S DEPENDENCY ON PUBLIC APATHY

A) REBEL: Symbolic acts of discontent are poignant and hard-hitting because they demonstrate that fat cats coveted golden standard of public apathy is thawing. To disrupt capitalisms dependency on public apathy, you can organize symbolic events, such as a flag burning party. In addition to making sure the event is fun, the event should also include the defacement of capitalism’s most sacred and symbolic symbols (like the American flag or imitation cash).Note: the destruction of actual U.S. dollars is illegal and not condoned or recommended by A Rebel’s Handbook.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Lots of people think that burning the American flag is prohibited, but the practice was actually legalized by a 1969 Supreme Court Decision.173 It’s fitting that something like flag burning is legal but hardly done: it’s representative of so many forms of capitalism’s freedoms that are provided to the people but sparingly utilized. Think: things like low voter turnout and exercising free speech. Using the freedoms that capitalism has conceded to us 9. STRIKE A MATCH shows that we the people are awake, organizing, and ready to crack rebel jokes. C) HAVE FUN: Get fun with symbolic acts. How about adding an American Flag to your Fourth of July BBQ menu? Symbolic acts of discontent can help bring people together if they are having fun. Hint: if your BBQ is missing fresh corn on the cob and tasty beverages, you’re probably missing some key party BURNING SYMBOLIC OBJECTS WITH FLAG BURN ingredients. PARTIES DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S DEPENDENCY ON PUBLIC APATHY BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Sure flag burning may be legal, but lots “NOTHING STRENGTHENS of non-rebels will still perceive your rebel roar as treasonous. If you’re shar- AUTHORITY SO MUCH AS ing a flag burn video online, consider THE LOWDOWN: Public apathy is the number one endorsement for today’s SILENCE.” including a personal explanation about form of capitalism to keep on keeping on. The lack of organized rebel roars gives a LEONARDO DA VINCI why you’re rebelling (and why your tacit go-ahead for fat cats to do whatever they please and contributes to our perilous action doesn’t necessarily mean you status quo. Nonviolent acts of dissent to demonstrate that we’re no longer apathetic hate America). scares the heck of capitalists because it shows we’re starting to ask questions. Rebels: grab your matches − it’s time to ignite some fires.

88 89 C) CRACK JOKES PUNCHY PRANKS

ONCE ORGANIZED, SOCIAL CHANGE WILL ONLY WIN IF A MOVEMENT CAN IDENTIFY THEIR OPPONENT’S WEAK POINTS. HUMOR IS CAPITALISM’S KRYPTONITE. THE STRATEGIES IN SECTION C FOCUS ON FUN WAYS TO CRACK JOKES AT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT CAPITALISTS HOLD MOST SACRED.

90 91 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S PLEA FOR CONSUMERISM WITHOUT QUESTION

A) REBEL: Issuing a satirical award begins by selecting a target worthy of scrutiny. What law enforcement action, industry norm, or other injustice do you want to bring attention to? After selecting your area of focus, identify the particular organization or person that deserves to be recognized for their involvement or leadership. Next, prepare a trophy or certificate to “praise” them for their work. And make sure to have fun in the process: the flashier you make your award ceremony, the more press and consumer attention you can help to gin up.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: If rebels use satirical awards to help awaken a consumer base that begins publicly asking tough questions, fat cats will have a real run for their money. For example, how many people do you think currently consider specific the ingredients in their hand soap or toothpaste?An often-over- looked topic, many personal care products contain tiny plastic microbeads. After use, these beads go down the drain and are so small that water treatment systems fail to catch them. They often end up in lakes or oceans – which is proving to 10. APPLAUD YOUR make big health problems for the fish that eat them, and later, for the humans that eat the fish. While microbeads are just one example, they are exemplary of ADVERSARIES a bigger message to disrupt capitalism’s plea for consumerism without question. Congress passed 2015 legislation to ban microbeads in response to organized consumer questioning about microbead impacts: a testament to the consumer power that people possess.174

ISSUING SATIRICAL AWARDS, LIKE “POLLUTER C) HAVE FUN: Roll out the red carpet for a rocking awards ceremony. The OF THE YEAR,” DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S PLEA more satirical and celebratory the awards ceremony is, the more press worthy it FOR CONSUMERISM WITHOUT QUESTION becomes. From comedic speeches to awesome trophies – enjoy the jubilee.

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Using satire to advocate for consumer “IF EVERYONE THE LOWDOWN: There are rebels who spend lots of time badmouthing fat cats. awareness does not have to be limited DEMANDED PEACE What if we focused our efforts on offering them some praise and accolades instead? to issuing awards. For a bonus, take By issuing satirical awards, like the most effective polluter of the year, rebels have an the conversation online by organizing INSTEAD OF ANOTHER campaigns to leave mock product opportunity to publicly call out nefarious practices. In doing so, we disrupt capi- TELEVISION SET, THEN talism’s ability to operate in a world where consumers often fail to ask then tough reviews. For example, discuss how questions like, “what is the impact of your environmental degradation on my health “great” a product is for issues like THERE’D BE PEACE.” childhood labor or environmental and my children’s future?” JOHN LENNON degradation.

92 93 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S INVESTMENT IN ONLINE INFRASTRUCTURE

A) REBEL: People download free (and legal) ad blockers for a number of reasons – to stop being bombarded with pesky ads, speed up their web browser, or to question if the Internet is a forum for the people or a platform for capitalists.176 Downloading an ad blocker is easy and only takes a few minutes. Begin by reading up on which one works best for you, download the service, and enjoy an ad-free web. Broadcasting your decision with social media helps to spread the word about how other people can become an online rebel.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Turning on the Internet, tuning in to the website you want to visit, and turning off online ads, helps to demonstrate that we the people can and will exercise the online freedoms that have been legally granted to us. In doing so, we also cut into fat cat profit margins and question the de facto norm for fat cats to scan through our emails and online searches. Today, rebels are using ad blockers to disrupt capitalists’ investment in online infrastructure in a big way: with approximately 198 million ad blockers installed 11. TURN ON, TUNE IN, around the world, the rate of ad blocking grew by 41% in 2015 alone. Ad blocking has achieved significant results: it is estimated to have cost $22 DROP OUT billion in advertising losses in 2015.177

C) HAVE FUN: Ready to surf the web without being inundated by online ads? Enjoy unencumbered content, faster web browsing, and the knowledge that your action is questioning the online world as we know it. SURFING THE WEB WITH FREE AD BLOCKERS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S INVESTMENT IN

ONLINE INFRASTRUCTURE BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Many of the fat cats who badmouth “YOUR MOST UNHAPPY ad blocking are the same ones who CUSTOMERS ARE YOUR call to dismantle net neutrality. A key principle to ensuring a free and open GREATEST SOURCE OF THE LOWDOWN: Capitalists have invested an estimated one trillion dollars Internet, this promise of this online building online infrastructure and it’s paid them back big time: online marketplaces LEARNING.” BILL GATES freedom is under threat from fat cats rake in billions of dollars a day. This online infrastructure includes high-tech tools, who advocate disbanding it. For a like cookies, to track online activity. By monitoring our online activity, capitalists are bonus, read up on this issue, learn why able to direct advertisements our way with products or politicians they think we will it matters, and get involved. like and buy into. Tuning out these ads with free online ad blockers helps to disrupt a one trillion dollar investment.175

94 95 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S FOUNDATION OF WORKFORCE SUPPORT

A) REBEL: If you’ve ever skipped a day of work or school to do something fun, then you already know the basic rules of hooky. To play, you just call into work, say you’re not feeling well, and then do something awesome with your new- found freedom. It’s as simple as that. To make rebel hooky even more disruptive, partner up with people in your office and all phone in sick on the same day. Or use social media to organize a more widespread day of hooky.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalism runs on the backbones of workers. Workers are needed for things like serving food to fat cats at restaurants, shining their shoes, or trading their money. Organizing against the boss is alarming for them and they often make concessions, especially because bosses know they need their employees willing participation.178 Workers achieved landslide vic- tories over their bosses during America’s Labor Movement, earning rights like health benefits and workers’ compensation.179 In response, today’s bosses have grown increasingly adept at curtailing strikes. This makes playing hooky all the more disruptive – rather than asking for a particular concession, we’re just 12. PLAY HOOKY highlighting the power of a satirical prank.

C) HAVE FUN: Do you really need any convincing that a “sick day” out of the office is fun? If you have any lingering doubts, then check out the movieFerris Bueller’s Day Off, a helpful guide on how to get the most out of your free day. JOINING GROUP HOOKY DAYS OUT OF THE OFFICE DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S FOUNDATION

OF WORKFORCE SUPPORT BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Fat cats will argue that lots of people “NOT THAT I CONDONE skipping work for the day will lead to FASCISM, OR ANY ISM FOR chaos on the streets. Prove them wrong by weaving random acts of kindness THAT MATTER. ISM’S IN MY THE LOWDOWN: Capitalists don’t laugh at any jokes related to striking because into your rebel day(s) of fun. How OPINION ARE NOT GOOD. A this action has a history of forcing concessions from the boss (like fair wages and about using your free day to volunteer PERSON SHOULD NOT BE- safer working conditions). So it shouldn’t be a big surprise that they fight back hard in a soup kitchen and help out people LIEVE IN AN ISM, HE SHOULD when people try to strike. Since capitalists have lots of clever tricks up their sleeves to in need? BELIEVE IN HIMSELF. I subdue strikes, let’s not bother. For this rebel joke, let’s play hooky instead. After all, QUOTE JOHN LENNON, ‘I it can be a whole lot more fun. DON’T BELIEVE IN BEATLES, I JUST BELIEVE IN ME.’” FERRIS BUELLER

96 97 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR CHEAP CREDIT

A) REBEL: Credit card companies don’t only charge consumers with interest rates or annual fees: they also charge businesses all kinds of fees for processing card payments. One of the business fees that card companies charge is a transaction fee, tacked on each time a card is swiped. This fee can be as much as 60 cents per transaction, which makes an easy target for rebels to crack a credit card joke.181 For this tactic, organize lots of rebels to go into big chain stores and make lots of tiny credit card purchases, like a 50-cent pack of bubble gum. Chain stores with no credit card minimums would literally lose money on this bubbly rebel transaction.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalism runs on cheap credit because it helps encourage consumers to spend, spend, spend.182, 183 But this spending comes at a high cost to the people in the form of interest fees (generally with average interest rates of 17-20%) and to small business owners, who are saddled with covering transaction fee costs.184 Penny swipes not only help to raise awareness about unfair industry practices such as lofty interest rates and transaction fees: 13. TAKE A SWIPE they also disrupt capitalism because the swipes pit hungry fat cats directly against each other. Large chain stores will be yelling at credit card companies, and card companies will be yelling at these stores. And we rebels can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

GAMING CLASSIC PAYMENT SYSTEMS WITH C) HAVE FUN: Be it credit card, student, or subprime mortgage debt – facing PENNY SWIPES DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S any wall of debt is far from fun. Here’s your chance to take a swipe at the sys- INSATIABLE APPETITE FOR CHEAP CREDIT tem and do something about it. Make sure to buy something fun or funny with each penny swipe you take. When doing so, always make sure to pay your full bill on time to make sure your rebel fun has zero interest fees.

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): THE LOWDOWN: Capitalists love credit cards because these cards keep money For a bonus, start strategically paying flowing. They encourage consumers to spend lots of money, even if they don’t actu- “A MAN IN DEBT IS SO for transactions with cash instead of ally have enough funds in their bank account. This credit pitch works: approximately credit cards, especially when tipping. FAR A SLAVE.” 30% of all annual point of sale transactions in the U.S. is made with credit cards. But When no officially documented credit cards come at a cost: the average U.S. household has $5,700 in credit card debt RALPH WALDO EMERSON transaction record exists, some service and this totals up to a country of people owing $880 billion in revolving debt. $880 industry workers or mom and pop billion of debt!?180 shops may elect to avoid sales or income taxation.

98 99 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S BET ON THE STOCK MARKET

A) REBEL: Lots of rebels think the stock market is just plain boring. Don’t worry: the stock market game will get a whole lot more fun if rebels organize to crack jokes at Wall Street. For this rebel joke, let’s play a gas game with the billions that investors have riding on the oil industry. Oil stock pricing is partly based on projections about how much gas will be consumed in any given time period, making a fuel slowdown disruptive to these consumption projections. To play, all you have to do is bike ride instead of drive. To win, organize widespread and sustained “bike to work parties.” On a large and systematic scale, these biking parties would push capitalists to hedge their bets around the possibility of an oil supply drop – costing them investor dollars and saving people gas money.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: The stock market helps bankroll capitalism. On a basic level, companies need to raise money to continue growing (like the capital needed to construct a new factory), so they issue stocks to raise money and avoid debt.185 Rebel disruption to this cycle injects a never-before-seen addition of market volatility to the stock market. A gas joke is a fitting joke to tell 14. LAYOFF THE PUMP because gasoline consumption in the U.S. accounts for a significant amount of the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions.186 Oh, and because fat cats in the oil industry also happen to be some of the most ultra 1%.187

C) HAVE FUN: So you won’t have access to your car for a day (or month, BYPASSING GAS PAYMENTS WITH “BIKE depending on how long you plan your boycott). May as well have fun with TO WORK PARTIES,” DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S your new commute. How about finding a fun and clever way to drive awareness BET ON THE STOCK MARKET around your act of dissent? Whether you ride naked, carry a portable boom box, or decorate your bike – there is no shortage of ways to jazz up your eco-friendly commute and bring more attention to your action.

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): THE LOWDOWN: Fat cats bet big on the stock market and they often win big No need to stop with gas games. For a “I BELIEVE THAT BANKING too: Wall Street has helped turn some millionaires into billionaires. The stock market bonus, develop other fun and nonvio- is full of risks so these investors have to hedge their bets to insulate themselves from lent ways to flip the bird at Wall Street. INSTITUTIONS ARE market risks. Hedging is generally considered the price an investor has to pay to safely For example, how about identifying MORE DANGEROUS TO avoid uncertainty. If rebels start cracking jokes that increase market risk, investors a clothing company that uses child would be forced to drop extra money on hedging. labor and boycotting them to call out OUR LIBERTIES THAN their unjust practices and disrupt their STANDING ARMIES.” corporate revenue projections? THOMAS JEFFERSON

100 101 D) VIVA LA REVOLUTION CREATE CHANGE

SOCIAL CHANGE WILL ONLY LAST IF SOMETHING NEW CAN BE PUT FORWARD THAT’S BETTER THAN TODAY’S BUSINESS

AS USUAL. THE STRATEGIES IN SECTION D ALL FOCUS ON REVOLUTIONARY WAYS TO UNSHACKLE US FROM THE CONSTRAINTS THAT PERSIST UNDER CAPITALISM.

102 103 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S AFFINITY FOR MONOPOLIES

A) REBEL: We’re taught as early as kindergarten that sharing is a virtue. While sharing on a large scale has not traditionally been easy, the Internet magnifies our ability to share like never before. From awesome places to stay when you travel to low-cost or free carpools on your way to work – the number of online P2P communities continues to grow on a daily basis.188 P2P platforms generally require large communities of people for them to thrive, so they require your active participation. To get involved, identify P2P communities that will improve your life and become engaged in as many as you can.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Maintaining market control over competitors max- imizes revenue for capitalists at the top of the food chain. And fat cat cats across many industries have maintained this monopolistic rule for decades. The New York City yellow cab industry is one such example. Operating a yellow taxi requires the ownership of a medallion and each medallion was valued at a staggering rate of $1 million in 2014. But in a disruption to this long-time monopoly market, 2015 taxi medallion prices have plummeted by approximately 40% with 15. SHARE IF YOU CARE the advent of ridesharing.189 This price drop means more affordable rides and greater marketplace competition for we the people. It also demonstrative just how disruptive the sharing economy can be to monopolistic industries.

C) HAVE FUN: Obviously someone thinks P2P sharing is a fun way to go – there USING PEER-TO-PEER PLATFORMS, LIKE are millions of active community members out there today.190 Take a boring RIDESHARING, DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S commute to work for instance. With a P2P ridesharing, you can find some good AFFINITY FOR MONOPOLIES company on the daily journey, cut down commute time by being able to cruise in the carpool lane, and help the environment by consolidating cars.

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): about capitalism’s interrelationship The classic board game Monopoly with monopolies. Have fun by playing teaches us all about the trials and with friends in public spaces and tribulations of monopolies in action. letting others know what you’re up to. THE LOWDOWN: The online age has helped fuel the proliferation of peer-to-peer Invented in 1904, the game was (P2P) networks, allowing people to transact directly with one another rather than intended to callout unfair monopolistic through fat cat marketplaces. These revolutionary networks can help lower consumer practices and it was initially popular costs and can even make some things free. In addition to consumer savings, P2P shar- “I THINK IT’S WRONG THAT among Quakers and socialists before ing cuts into fat cat profit margins and disrupts the ability for monopolies to take hold ONLY ONE COMPANY MAKES being repurposed into the brand we THE GAME MONOPOLY.” know it as today.191 For a bonus, take back the game to help educate others STEVEN WRIGHT

104 105 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S DOLLAR DEPENDENCY

A) REBEL: Instead of being tight on cash or incurring credit card debt, how about experimenting with fun and alternative forms of compensation instead? Barter- ing, for example, is a simple system of exchange where people are compensated with goods or services instead of dollars. Bartering can be a friend-based activity, like cooking an awesome meal or two for someone in exchange for having them walk your dog while you’re out of town. Bartering can also take place at large- scale community events or through online P2P forums. Note: bartering itself is distinct from the breath of all available P2P sharing economy sites because bartering centers around avoiding financial currency.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Printed money is capitalism’s currency and capitalists consider it sacred. After all, isn’t it the main thing that keeps people working? But as much value and power as the dollar appears to have, the truth is, it’s also just a sheet of paper. Avoiding financial transactions and challenging the value of the dollar shakes capitalism to the core. In the process of saving we the 16. GET BY WITH A people a boatload of money by challenging the dollar, we also disrupt fundamental economic drivers, such as inflation and revenue projections. LITTLE HELP FROM C) HAVE FUN: Finally, you have a way to obtain lots of awesome stuff without YOUR FRIENDS needing a big wad of cash of cash to pay for it. What’s not fun about that? Have fun with the currency you create. What will your creative contribution be?

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): World leaders instigate global strife USING ALTERNATIVE PAYMENTS, LIKE “MONEY OFTEN COSTS over silly currency conversion debates. BARTERING, DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S For a bonus, find fun ways to barter TOO MUCH.” DOLLAR DEPENDENCY with people from other countries RALPH WALDO EMERSON to show global fat cats how trivial their paper dollars can become. Want free housing the next time you’re on vacation in another country? Then how THE LOWDOWN: Imagine a world where the 100-dollar bill had the same value about letting someone crash at your as toilet paper. As improbable as that may sound to capitalists who revere the dollar: place in exchange for crashing at his fat cats should take note. We rebels can dilute the dollar’s value surprisingly quickly if or hers? we start employing cashless compensation systems, such as bartering.

106 107 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S LEGITIMACY TO OPERATE

A) REBEL: A protest vote is an easy vote to cast: you have the option to write-in any candidate on almost any election ballot. That means you can vote for a fictional character, childhood hero, celebrity – anyone that sends a powerful message or gives you a good laugh. While casting a protest vote is simple, getting a politician elected always takes some legwork. For more rebel fun, join a campaign to elect a fictional leader in your community. Make it a goal to have fun rallies and attract funny headline news stories.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalist governments always give people the “freedom” to vote.192 But whom are we really voting for when we’re deciding between one similar fat cat and another? Consider this: America entered an unprecedented political era in 2014, when for the first time in our nation’s history, over 50% of the country’s Members of Congress were millionaires. Our current leaders in Congress are 80% white, 80% male, and 92% Christian.193 If you’re done with the joke options we face on the ballot each year, a protest vote is a disruptive way to do something about it. We can still play the game 17. FIX THE VOTE by voting, but instead of selecting the best of the worst, we can declare we’re finished being forced to choose between one crony capitalist over another.

C) HAVE FUN: Campaigns for write-in candidates has been going on for decades, but they have not always been enough fun. While some rebels have ELECTING FUNNY FAKE LEADERS, been reliably writing Mickey Mouse onto the ballot since his inception in order LIKE MICKEY MOUSE, DISRUPTS to mock capitalism, Mr. Mouse has never actually won the vote. For more fun, CAPITALISM’S LEGITIMACY TO OPERATE create dynamic and enjoyable campaign events for write-in candidates. And have fun considering this: what in the world would fat cats do if we rebels score more votes for a joke candidate than the fat cat alternative?

BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): There are 51 million eligible voters THE LOWDOWN: If you’ve done things like burn the flag and play hooky, “EVERYTHING IS in America who are not registered to chances are that there’s no politician on any ballot that you’re too excited about voting vote.194 Maybe its because they didn’t CHANGING. PEOPLE ARE for. Not to worry: you can help “fix the vote” by joining a portion of the voting block know that playful candidates like that questions established candidates with protest voting. By writing funny fake TAKING THEIR Mickey Mouse were an option. For a leaders onto the ballot, we the people finally have some candidate options that we can bonus, canvas around to help explain COMEDIANS SERIOUSLY truly smile about. why not voting at all is not an effective AND THE POLITICIANS AS protest vote and why someone should A JOKE.” WILL ROGERS elect to become registered instead.

108 109 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S ABILITY TO LAUGH OFF FUNNY REBELS

A) REBEL: The dexterity of guerrilla battle tactics has outsmarted bulky bureaucratic armies throughout history. For example, guerrilla warfare is credited with helping the ill equipped and outnumbered American troops to defeat the British in the American Revolution.195 This handbook includes 21 strategies to disrupt capitalism and have fun. But why stop with 21? For revolutionary change, create lots of new, fun, and nonviolent rebel jokes to sustain the rebel fight.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalist bureaucracies generally act responsively. As soon as this handbook is released, lots of clever fat cats will likely go through each strategy in the handbook and develop strategies to diffuse our rebel tactics. And with all the resources they have at their disposal, they’ll probably figure out some formidable counter attacks.196 Any rebel strategy that has a history of success will not remain cutting-edge forever. By staying one step ahead of those who impede progress, we rebels will not only temporarily disrupt the assumptions that inform our status quo, we will also help to create lasting change.

18. FIGHT LIKE C) HAVE FUN: This is where things get really liberating: the sky is the limit. Think outside the box and develop as many fun and nonviolent ideas as you can. A GUERRILLA From guerrilla gardening that helps reclaim urban space, to performance art that drives social change, what clever rebel jokes do you have up your sleeves?

DEVELOPING NEW AND NONVIOLENT GUERRILLA

TACTICS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S ABILITY BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): Everyone possesses natural strengths. TO LAUGH OFF FUNNY REBELS “ARREST ME FOR SITTING For a bonus, think about specific skills you have and how they can aid the ON A BUS? YOU MAY DO rebel cause. If you’re a musician, you THAT.” ROSA PARKS could help unite us with the power of THE LOWDOWN: All the steps in this handbook are intended to be fun and funny, song. If you’re a doctor, you could but no joke remains funny forever. There will be a lot of powerful fat cats actively help out rebels that are injured in the working to subdue our rebel jokes. This shouldn’t come as a big surprise: fat cats pathway to progress. have been holding onto power for a long time and they won’t want go down without a fight. But what these fat cats possess with funds and power, they lack in agility and creativity. Rebels: it’s time to nonviolently fight like guerrillas.

110 111 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S SALES PITCH THAT IT’S THE BEST WAY TO LIVE

A) REBEL: To revolutionize the rebel fight, find or create post-capitalist communities that dispel the tenants of our current form of capitalism (like the bottom line and environmental degradation). While no community ever exists without skeptics or criticism, places like Auroville, India; Findhorn, Scotland; and Black Rock City, Nevada, help to underscore that there is a different and viable way of doing business than the commonplace practices we have in place today. Black Rock City (BRC) is a rebel favorite: the spot where Burning Man takes place. BRC springs out of an otherwise empty desert once a year and becomes the third largest city in Nevada during the weeklong burn. Over 60,000 people come together, have the time of their lives, and don’t spend a single dollar while there.197 And of course, living up to its name, residents of BRC also burn the man.198

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Experimenting with post-capitalist living is what really revs the revolution to life. One reason why capitalism permeates throughout our culture is because people have a hard time envisioning that there can be another viable ism. Rebel events, like Burning Man, disrupt capitalism 19. BURN THE MAN because they show the world that another way of living is indeed possible. When it comes to Burning Man, some naysayers will point fingers and say things like, “but people still have to pay a fee to get in.” Sure, rebels do have to make an upfront payment, but this should not detract from the broader message: when people spend capital differently than capitalists allocate it today, a 60,000+ LIVING THE BURNER LIFE AT BURNING MAN sustainable city springs into existence with no financial currency. DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S SALES PITCH THAT IT’S THE BEST WAY TO LIVE C) HAVE FUN: Has anyone mentioned the best part? Burning Man can be a truly epic experience if you plan for it right. From awesome people, to amazing art, to ridiculous parties, to radical self-expression, get ready for an unforgettable seven days. To maximize your fun, learn about the Burn and come fully prepared. Note: Additional information about the ten principles that help guide Burning Man are available on page 160.

THE LOWDOWN: In order for the rebel fight to transition from an ongoing BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): struggle to a new way of living, rebels need to deal a deathblow to capitalism’s sales Veteran Burners, this bonus is for you. “BURNING MAN IS pitch that it’s the best offer on the table. This can begin by experiencing communities If the ranks of Burners swell, they’ll founded on post-capitalist principles, such as Burning Man. be lots of BRC “virgins” who will GREATER THAN I HAD need your support to get their sea legs. EVER IMAGINED.” They’ll benefit from your good will and patience. GROVER NORQUIST

112 113 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S PLAN TO STICK WITH BUSINESS-AS-USUAL

A) REBEL: Now is the time to put on your thinking cap and to be daring and bold. If you had a magic wand to wave, what would you want the world to look like? You can brainstorm the answer to this question informally with friends, or organize events where people come together to discuss the future in an open and safe setting. Rebel gatherings can happen across the country in big cities and small towns, in public parks, and other public spaces. Online forums can also help fuel rebel creativity when travel is tough. Make sure to be welcoming and inclusive: the more, the merrier.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Capitalists have historically weathered rebel storms by conceding that capitalism isn’t perfect. They argue that it’s not totally great, but proclaim that it’s the best option we’ve got. Fat cats: be worried. If enough rebels start brainstorming ambitious solutions, we can dispel your argument by developing a more fun, equitable, and sustainable way of living. We are not out there cracking jokes simply for the sake of disrupting. We’re disrupting 20. BRAINSTORM today’s status quo because we rebels fundamentally believe that a better world is possible. SOLUTIONS C) HAVE FUN: Rebels: if we’re not laughing, we’re losing. When planning a brainstorm, think about what you can do to make the meet up as fun as possible. Guaranteed: almost anything you come up with will be a lot better than today’s boring and stuffy town council meetings. How about opening the brainstorm ORGANIZING REBEL EVENTS TO BRAINSTORM with an awesome band and bringing along some tasty food? OUR FUTURE DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S PLAN

TO STICK WITH BUSINESS-AS-USUAL BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): The future belongs to the people and “INSANITY: DOING THE as such, any and all rebel brainstorms SAME THING OVER AND should be inclusive and welcoming. For a bonus, double your outreach OVER AGAIN EXPECTING THE LOWDOWN: As awesome as Black Rock City is, it only stands for one week efforts to ensure an even greater group DIFFERENT RESULTS.” of the year. For long and lasting change to take root, rebels need to help bring people of diverse individuals attend rebel together to collectively brainstorm what we want out of our future. The key question: brainstorms and events. ALBERT EINSTEIN what way of living is better, more sustainable, and preferable than the status quo we’re faced with today?

114 115 DISRUPTING CAPITALISM’S ATTEMPT TO STEM A REBEL REVOLUTION

A) REBEL: To become an agent of social change, write a note about why you care about improving the world and get ready to spread your message with a Rebel Cocktail. The Rebel Cocktail is a nonviolent revamp of a longtime classic from the rebel’s arsenal: the Molotov cocktail. But instead of filling the Rebel Cocktail with gasoline, we rebels understand that words themselves can be more explosive. To spread the rebel word: 1) write a heartfelt personal note and include RebelsHandbook.com in the message, 2) place your note in a recycled plastic bottle, and 3) pass your bottle to friends or strangers. Then, repeat steps 1-3 as many times as you can to help raise awareness about creating progress in our perilous status quo.

B) DISRUPT CAPITALISM: Fat cats hold onto power by working to steer the narrative most people read and hear today. For example, the myths they perpetuate about climate change. With Rebel Cocktails, we have a new channel to share rebel words and call for progress. Since we’re using recycled bottles, our arsenal is endless (and sustainable). And because new people are always writing the 21. SPREAD THE WORD message inside, messages can be passed anonymously and we can easily adjust the handbook’s URL if censored.

C) HAVE FUN: All 21 steps have advocated for nonviolence to accompany fun at all times. Tactic 21 is no different: never cause vandalism, fear or violence WRITING MESSAGES IN BOTTLES TO SHARE with the design or placement of your Rebel Cocktail. Our fun should come not #REBELCOCKTAILS DISRUPTS CAPITALISM’S through breaking bottles, but with funny notes left in fun and clever places. ATTEMPT TO STEM A REBEL REVOLUTION BONUS POINTS (A+B+C): If enough Rebel Cocktails are handed “WE MUST UNDERSTAND out, we must be braced for fat cats to fire back in our direction. For a bonus, THAT THE HIGHEST FORM THE LOWDOWN: This may come as a surprise to some, but none of the concepts help fortify these rebel words form OF FREEDOM CARRIES counterattacks. You can do so with in this handbook are all that new. Rebels having been saying these same words for a WITH IT THE GREATEST long while. What’s new here is working to compile these resources into one actionable strategies like translating this text into handbook. What can become revolutionary new is the act of spreading the word to additional languages in order to help MEASURE OF increase readership. lots of people to help grow our rebel ranks. Revolutions ramp up when rebel words DISCIPLINE.” CESAR CHAVEZ spread like wildfire.

116 117 PART III: GO! REBEL REVOLUTION

“I HOLD IT THAT A LITTLE REBELLION NOW AND THEN IS A GOOD THING, AND AS NECESSARY IN THE POLITICAL WORLD AS STORMS IN THE PHYSICAL.”

THOMAS JEFFERSON

118 119 AMERICA’S LAST REVOLUTION: REV. HISTORY

ome readers who make it here These readers may want to jump right to Part III will still be saying to the next chapter about solutions or what they’ve been saying from perhaps skip this part entirely and leap Sthe start, “ok…you’ve demonstrated into action. capitalism can be disrupted. But what comes next?” And, “can what comes But whether your zeal for social next possibly be better than what we change compels you to spring forward have today?” or your skepticism for an improved tomorrow tempts you to tap the breaks In response, many non-rebels will – neither camp can effectively dialogue answer that nothing better can ensue. without giving credence to our rebel They will likely point to various past. episodes of social struggle throughout history and highlight what happened in Reading about America’s rebel history “THE HISTORY OF THE PAST IS the aftermath, even if the rebels won. and our ongoing struggle with capital- BUT ONE UPWARD STRUGGLE They can point to things like dictator- ism is likely even more important than ships, economic instability, and violent considering our rebel future. If nothing UPWARD TO EQUALITY.” infighting. else, hopefully by now civilizations have learned this simple (but often un- ELIZABETH CADY STANTON There will be other readers who make heeded) lesson: those who do not learn it here and already believe they know from the past are fated to repeat it. what comes next. They may have ideas about climate change solutions, circu- lar economies, bartering, and the like.

120 121 fight for a better tomorrow. Like today, Paine’s terms, the “summer soldier” THE AFTERMATH OF the rebels then did not know if their and “sunshine patriot,” refer to the SHORTCUT: IF YOU ARE AMERICA’S LAST dissent would lead to a better world for 11,000 summer rebels who abandoned ALREADY VERSED IN THE REVOLUTION TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS their children. But frustrated with the the rebel fight in the winter when the OF A PEOPLE’S HISTORY, injustices and oppressiveness of their weather got cold and things got tough. Here’s the incredible thing: the FEEL FREE TO SKIP AHEAD time, they jumped into action. Loyalists Paine was asking rebels if they were American Revolution actually worked, TO THE NEXT CHAPTER, were the ones who favored the status simply summer soldiers or if they at least initially. And not in any small AMERICA’S CLIMATE quo and did not want to ally with the were courageous enough stay on with way: in a totally revolutionary way. REVOLUTION ON PAGE 131. side of change. They remained silent or the rebel fight through the winter and chose to take up arms on behalf of Great standup for freedom.207 Britain.201 Following the war, Americans elected His words once again breathed life into President George Washington into AMERICA’S Paine published Common Sense in the the revolution: people rallied onward office and he served a four-year term as WAR FOR summertime and it helped rev lots of in the social struggle for freedom. And the nation’s first president. At the end INDEPENDENCE rebels to life. But rebel fights are never not just through the winter of the 1776, of his first four years in office, he was easy. By winter of the same year, the but for another several years. Apart elected to a second term. We are a nation forged in revolution. rebels were getting crushed and people from the current Afghanistan War, the across the states were quickly losing American Revolution is the longest One of the most pivotal moments in 208 our nation’s democracy was not elect- When Common Sense was published in faith in the virtues of the rebel strug- war in our country’s history. 202 ing and reelecting George Washington 1776, Thomas Paine showed the world gle. Between September and Decem- into office – many military leaders that words could spell revolution. The ber of 1776, approximately 11,000 As we know today, the American Rev- gain control after being at the winning book was distributed to rebel fighters rebel volunteers threw down their olution ultimately succeeded. Rebels 203 end of a war. It was what happened in and read aloud in bars and taverns weapons and gave up the rebel fight. eventually won the rebel fight and the our nation’s third presidential election throughout the 13 colonies. By some British retreated back to England. between John Adams and Thomas estimates, Common Sense has the larg- General George Washington feared Jefferson that was truly revolutionary. est circulation of any book published that more would follow as the winter But let us not simply remember the The people elected John Adams into in American history (in proportion to cold and holiday season approached. war for being won. Arguably, an office in 1796, and amazingly, George the population at the time).199 And it In response, Paine published a second equally important part of America’s Washington simply handed Adams the worked: the book helped instigate the collection of articles in the December of last revolution was not just winning 205 reins.209 revolution that ultimately founded our ’76 titled The Crisis. He opens with the fight, but also determining what nation. With our hats off to Mr. Paine, these enduring rebel words: kind of revolutionary social change This moment marks one of the first rebel handbooks course through our would follow. “These are the times that try men’s times in the world’s history when nation’s very veins.200 souls. The summer soldier and the power was peacefully ceded to a new sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, elected leader.210 Prior to this, power At the time of the revolution, people shrink from the service of their was generally passed down by royal reading through Common Sense were county; but he stands now, deserves lineage or taken with weapons and forced to decide if they were patriots or the love and thanks of man and bloodshed.211 For those cynics who loyalists. Patriots were rebels willing to 206 woman.” doubt that revolution’s can lead to

122 123 winning outcomes take note: America’s Put simply, the Alien and Sedition Act Even under Washington’s leadership, last revolution gave unprecedented prohibits roaring the rebel roar at the rebel discontent was bubbling just “RESOLVED, THAT THE proof that the tenets of democracy were government. Under the act, rebels who below the surface. The rebel fight was indeed possible and, moreover, that “write, print, utter, or publish…any WOMEN OF THIS NATION especially acute in Massachusetts, the people could peacefully elect their false, scandalous and malicious writ- where farmers were falling into debt peers into office. ing” became threatened with fines and IN 1876, HAVE GREATER due (in large part, from stringent imprisonment. The act also included CAUSE FOR DISCONTENT, anti-debtor laws). As a result, many But rebels: also take note. Despite the censorship of the press. Shortly after of the farmers were having their initial burst of success that was argu- the act was signed and just 15 years REBELLION AND farms seized and thrown into prison ably demonstrated in the immediate after the close of the American Revo- for failure to pay off their debt.217 REVOLUTION THAN THE aftermath of America’s last revolution, lution, over 20 newspaper editors were it did not take long for the people to arrested for sedition or incitement.215 MEN OF 1776.” Western Massachusetts farmers, many lose (or re-lose) control. And largely, of whom were veterans of the Ameri- we’ve been at the losing end ever AMERICA’S SUSAN B. ANTHONY can Revolution, employed similar rebel since. ONGOING REBEL tactics used during their previous rebel fight to confront what they felt was an John Adams, America’s second presi- STRUGGLE Whatever camp you align with, there is unjust government. They used classic dent, represented the Federalist Party. generally widespread rebel agreement organizing principals to successfully This political party (which Washington Irrespective of the Alien and Sedition around this: when it comes to Ameri- close some of Massachusetts Courts in was also later labeled with) was formed Acts, many people contend that the ca’s history, we the people have been 1786. They even succeeded at freeing by some of the biggest fat cats of the American Revolution itself was far suffering for quite some time. To put it some indebted farmers from jail.218 time: commercial interests in the north- from a crowning achievement of free- another way, fat cats have continued to east, bankers, the 1% and the like.211 dom and question if the new boss was prosper and grow richer while the peo- Former Continental Army Captain, The Federalist Party had a reputation really that different from the old boss. ple have been left fighting for progress. Daniel Shay, built on this momentum for being elitist and leery of fully Rebels in this camp have a mountain of to lead the farmers in a rebel revolt. open elections.213 evidence on their side: all signatories With this notion in mind, what follows Shay’s maintained he was shouting the of the constitution were white males, is a very brief history of our ongoing same rebel roar echoed in the American Shortly after taking office, capitalist the nation still had slaves, interracial rebel struggle. Revolution. But in America’s first case Adams began encroaching on the very marriages were not permitted, women of armed rebellion following the war, civil freedoms that Americans had could not vote, and LGBT people faced Despite what you may hear, rebels the powers that be responded with 216 fought for just years before. In 1798, persecution. did not simply go away after our last decisive and swift force. Wealthy mer- just one year after taking office, Adams revolution. In the aftermath of the war, chants living in Eastern Massachusetts signed the Alien and Sedition Act There are other people who argue that America was far from a bed of roses funded an imposing military force that into law.214 Lots of people may not be the American Revolution helped prove in complete embrace of their new was dispatched to Western Massachu- familiar with this law because it marks the viability of democracy and that the leadership that some people may prefer setts. There, they subdued Shay and his the start of an American history that people can indeed take power from to remember it as. Rebels were still rebel fighters.219 capitalists don’t let to talk about all unjust rulers. They point to the wide out there asking questions, calling out that much. range of people’s protections that were injustices, and shouting rebel words. established, like the First Ammend- ment.

124 125 With a capitalist-funded militia casti- While the South’s economy was fueled While fat cats counted the chips they In this war of fat cat versus fat cat, gating America’s early rebel fighters, by slave-driven agriculture, fat cats in would win and lose in a civil struggle – ultimately the fat cats who wanted the rebel narrative in America becomes the North replaced cheap human labor we the people were squarely at the los- to see one united nation of manufac- integrally tied to fat cats snuffing out with factory labor – largely cutting out ing end of this capitalist tussle. Slaves tures and farmers were the ones who the voice of rebel fighters.220, 221 But their need for slavery.225 The North’s were suffering immensely. In the name prevailed. And even though we’ve without going into too much detail economy was a product of America’s of capitalism, our nation enslaved “peacefully” been working for these about each rebel fight that ensued after Industrial Revolution – smoke stacks nearly four million people (3,950,528 fat cats ever since, the Civil War has America’s last revolution – the next started to dot the North’s horizon and it slaves were recorded in an 1860 cen- imprinted a legacy of division that our monumentally decisive moment in reb- became a land of rail and steel.226 And sus).227 These slaves faced unthinkable nation has failed to sufficiently recover el history was the American Civil War. critical for the fattest cats of all at the conditions of whippings, beatings, rape from – even over 150 years later. top, a nation needs both manufacturing and complete loss of freedom.228 From the outset, we must note that and agriculture in order to prosper over First sewn by seeds of mistrust planted revolutions and civil war are inherently other capitalist nations. During the war itself, capitalists cut during the Civil War, it feels as if we different beasts. A revolution is gen- apart the very underpinnings that the people continue to cast ourselves erally characterized by people taking America’s last revolution was all about further apart instead of linking arms action to shore up power for we the MODERN SLAVERY IS – people uniting together. Slavery in unison. Perhaps this is the greatest people. A civil war, on the other hand, GENERALLY DEFINED BY created a vast chasm between races in and most impactful and tragic legacy is defined as the failure of a nation – A PERSON POSSESSING OR America – laying the foundation for the of the Civil War – the story of a people warring political factions battling to CONTROLLING ANOTHER unjust laws that would follow the war, divided. North and South. White and 222 229 take power from one another. PERSON IN A MANNER THAT like the Jim Crow era. Black. Democrat and Republican. Poor DEPRIVES SOMEONE OF and Rich. Men and Women. Pro Choice If the American Revolution can be HIS OR HER PERSONAL In parallel to America’s growing racial and Pro Life. Young and Old. The list considered a glorious war for how LIBERTY. MODERN SLAVERY divide, brothers in the North battled of our perceived goes on and on. close it came to granting we the people IS CHARACTERIZED BY THE with brothers in South about who had true liberation, then the Civil War can EXPLOITATION OF A PERSON a more viable way of doing business. With a fragmented people, it’s not a be considered one of America’s most THROUGH THEIR USE, Yes, there are actual documented cases tremendous surprise that our rebel detrimental wars because of how it PROFIT, TRANSFER, OR of siblings taking aim against each history is one of ongoing struggle. Dif- 230 cleaved the nation apart. DISPOSAL. THE PRACTICE other on the battlefield. ferent groups of rebels have screamed TYPICALLY GOES HAND IN out to their leaders throughout our his- The Civil War resulted from an HAND WITH FORCED LABOR With American fighting against tory in the name of justice, but failing extremely divided country – split apart IN OCCUPATIONS SUCH AS American, the Civil War was by far the to attract the cohesive support needed by various capitalist interests. Fat cats CHILD SLAVERY AND SEX most deadly war in America’s history for wide-scale and lasting change, our in the South were largely dependent TRAFFICKING. – over 620,000 Americans were killed country has not witnessed truly revo- upon slave labor to turn a profit. in action. To date, roughly 1,264,000 lutionary change since the American Slavery is a longtime favored capitalist Americans have died in all America’s Revolution itself. approach. There are an estimated 30 wars combined – which means the million slaves in the world today and Civil War accounts for almost half of approximately 60,000 of them reside in all American battle casualties in our the U.S.223, 224 nation’s history.231

126 127 AMERICA’S ONGOING REBEL STRUGGLE: CAPITALISM, REBELS’ LONGSTANDING FOE A VERY BRIEF SNAPSHOT The story of our rebel history is not Fearing the chorus of a people’s move- being offered simply to ruminate about ment, some leaders have recently gone The history of our ongoing rebel IMMIGRATION PERSECUTION: our nation’s past. It is discussed to help so far as to try and actually rewrite struggle is a storied and episodic one. Immigrants have been oppressed demonstrate the common denominator history. For example, in 2014 a publi- From early atrocities inflicted upon throughout America’s history. Begin- between each episode of our ongoing cally elected school board near Denver, Native Americans to the militarily-sub- ning with voting restrictions from the rebel struggle. Colorado proposed revising their dued end of the 1969 Native America Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798 to the school district’s high school curriculum occupation at Alcatraz, to women not present day.234 Much later in 1939, the In the same spirit as A Rebel’s Hand- to promote patriotism and respect for being able to vote in America until Saint Louis set sail from Germany book central theme, each chapter in our authority. This rewrite included remov- 1920 and still earning less than men with 938 passengers escaping Nazi ongoing rebel struggle always seems ing historically important moments that in the workplace today, to the Civil prosecution. Instead of being accepted to have its sight on capitalism (be it by “encourage or condone civil disorder,” Rights Movement of the 1960s fol- into the U.S., the boat was forced to name or otherwise). For example: one similar to the ones outlined in the lowed by the unjust deaths of citizens turn around and almost half of the could argue that capitalists seized up preceding call-out box. Essentially, like Michael Brown and Eric Garner passengers became trapped in the Native American land in their pursuit erasing any trace of the long-standing – the list of our ongoing rebel struggles Holocaust.235 And for those who don’t of private property. And that capitalist rebel struggle from public school goes on and on. What follows is a brief think fashion matters in the rebel fight, government’s subdue anyone who textbooks.239 snapshot of some of these ongoing take note of the Zoot Suit Riots. In fails to pay taxes. And that capitalist’s rebel struggles: 1943, Mexicans in culturally identifiable systematically treat immigrants and The school board’s plans were zoot suits were systematically attacked workers unjustly in the pursuit of bot- eventually scrapped amidst protests TAXATION WARS: by a military mob in Los Angeles. The tom of the barrel wages. And so on. from students and teachers.240 The Today’s skepticism about taxation did Los Angeles Police Department was successful repudiation of rewriting not come out of thin air. American’s initially unwilling to intervene.236 If we peel back the layers far enough, our nation’s textbooks is perhaps a have long refuted the notion of taxes. all the disparate movements throughout fitting conclusion to America’s last When the federal government attempt- LABOR STRUGGLE: our nation’s history arguably distill revolution. Today, we are faced with ed to levy a whiskey tax in 1791, rebel The 40-hour workweek and 2-day down to this: we the people have been powerhouses continually encroaching farmers rose up in anger around what weekend was not simply given to the buckling under the injustices of capital- on our civil rights and livelihoods. But they considered an unfair tax. In re- American people. It was taken in the ism throughout America’s history. with effective rebel dissent, as so aptly sponse, the federal government mobi- rebel labor struggle. Rebels fighting for demonstrated by students and teachers lized a 13,000-person militia to subdue more humane working conditions were There are some people currently in in Colorado, we the people can ulti- the Whiskey Rebellion.232 Anti-tax met with brutal force during their peace- power that appear apprehensive that mately prevail in social change. rebels have continued to be persecuted ful protests. During the Pullman Strike, we rebels will start connecting the dots throughout the country’s history. For railroad workers were striking across between our shared rebel histories. example, rebel writer Henry David the country in support of better working And they don’t seem to like this one “I PREFER PEACE. BUT IF Thoreau was jailed in 1846 when he conditions. The federal government bit because connecting dots helps to TROUBLE MUST COME, LET IT stopped paying taxes in opposition to responded by sending troops to crush provide a platform for we the people to COME IN MY TIME, SO THAT MY the Mexican-American War.233 the protest – resulting in the deaths of put aside petty differences and unite. CHILDREN CAN LIVE IN PEACE.” dozens of rebels.237, 238 THOMAS PAINE

128 129 AMERICA’S CLIMATE REVOLUTION: MAKE HISTORY

ots of people hear the word bring. As highlighted earlier, climate revolution and recoil – think- impacts like reduced land areas and ing of armed insurrection or a supply shortages are expected to Lnation in revolt. But revolution simply increase global armed conflict by as means one complete turn: a marked much as 50%.242 change. Yes, rising sea levels will physically Today, revolution is in the air. Even bring people closer together as the if we rebels do succeed at reining in ocean reclaims land we once inhabited. global greenhouse gas emissions to And yes, today’s global leaders would avert the world’s temperature from ris- readily send us to war to redraw their ing by 3.6°F, it will be too late to stave borders onto new maps that maximize off some climate change impacts. Fat their natural resources in this changing “HISTORY WILL HAVE TO RECORD THAT THE cats have already set these revolution- landscape.243 ary changes into motion. GREATEST TRAGEDY OF THIS PERIOD OF SOCIAL But armed conflict projections do not The world’s sea levels are projected really answer the questions that we TRANSITION WAS NOT THE STRIDENT CLAMOR to rise one to four feet by 2100 (and rebel’s are out there asking. The real OF THE BAD PEOPLE, BUT THE APPALLING higher if action is not taken soon to million dollar question is this: do we control our greenhouse gas emis- have to let climate change further SILENCE OF THE GOOD PEOPLE.” sions).241 Leading experts are not too divide us and become trapped in a optimistic about the impacts that this world of increased inequality and DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. kind of revolutionary change will global strife in the first place?

130 131 Or, can we the people unite around the With this in mind, lots of people should need for widespread social change be a part of deciding what comes next action and spark a climate revolution and how it can be better than our status that brings the world toward a better quo. Rebels should remain forever CAPTIALISM REFORM and more peaceful place? In this skeptical of any one person or institu- process, can we help avert the most tion that claims to have all the answers injurious impacts of climate change by to our challenges. POST-CAPITALISM reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and promoting rebel precepts like With the principles of openness and equality and social justice? And can we inclusiveness in mind, the answer accomplish all this by having more fun to what comes next is surely more than we do in our current status quo? nuanced and complicated than one handbook can offer. Ideally, what REFORMING CAPITALISM BRAINSTORMING ensues is different people engaging in a collaborative brainstorming process SOLUTIONS As discussed from the start of the Based on the fundamental underpin- to decide what a better tomorrow looks handbook, capitalism doesn’t sound all nings of capitalism, this economic and like. America’s early rebels were fighting too bad in theory. It is sold as a level governmental way of doing business at a time when the world had not playing field where everyone has a should, in theory, be well equipped to As the brainstorm commences, some yet identified the dangers of climate chance to make it big. meet the demands of climate change. rebels will argue that capitalism in and change. These rebel fighters drafted the Capitalists win if they can get out of itself is morally reprehensible in constitution in a reality vastly different But for all the reasons we examined ahead and innovate because there is too theory and that it could never work in than the one we face today. earlier, today’s implementation of practice. Others will swear by it for the capitalism isn’t playing out quite as opportunities and innovations it can Recognizing that all signatories of planned. Does it have to be this way? create. Lots of rebels will agree that the U.S. Constitution are white males either way, today’s version of capital- “WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES and lived in a markedly different time Let’s go back to that earlier example ism is not working all too well. period from ours, rebel solutions for of the 2008 Financial Crisis when the IT MAKE TO THE DEAD, progress should not be decided by any government bailed out the big banks. In all the conversations people have THE ORPHANS, AND THE one group or demographic. Instead, Instead, they could have distributed the about what comes next, there are two solutions should be brainstormed by an same amount of money to the people HOMELESS, WHETHER fundamentally divergent pathways inclusive and diverse group of people. in the form of a loan to save people’s toward a solution that will likely be THE MAD DESTRUCTION We the people are old and young. We homes. Still capitalism, but just a explored: we can either reform capi- IS WROUGHT UNDER THE are republican and democrat and other reformed version of it. One where talism or transition to a post-capitalist parties. We are different races and leaders put the peoples’ needs front and NAME OF TOTALITARIAN- way of doing things. Both schools genders, we are straight and LGBT. center − ahead of the fat cats. In alter- of thinking have viable solutions ISM OR THE HOLY NAME Our differences go on and on – but we native scenarios like this, capitalism built into them and each one deserves rebels – we are all human. can indeed stand with the people. OF LIBERTY OR open-minded consideration in the rebel brainstorm. DEMOCRACY?” MAHATMA GANDHI

132 133 much competition to go about business put, higher food and commodity costs, In these rebel brainstorms about Alternative communities, like Burning any other way. With the realities of broken supply chains and increased reforming today’s version of capi- Man, point to the idea that post- climate change before us, it seems that financial risk in their championing for talism, there are plenty of specific capitalist communities are indeed capitalists should be all about finding climate change action.246 policies that rebels can point to for possible. Throughout Burning Man, new ways to retool and prepare to meet modernization, like the 2010 Supreme people are able to compensate each this future. After all, according to many With so many capitalists seeing the im- Court Decision, Citizens United vs. other with gifts instead of cash. The capitalists themselves, it is innovating perative for climate change and social Federal Election Commission, which concept of gifting is an important one for tomorrow that drives big-time justice solutions, why then, is there so declared that corporations carry the because it is distinct from bartering. profit.244 little action? same First Amendment rights as those In bartering, goods are generally afforded to individual citizens.250 traded for as close to an equal value as Today, there are some capitalists Largely, because deeply entrenched fat possible. With gifting, accounting for actively preparing for the realities of cats are actively working to stymie any When pinpointing areas in need of someone’s generosity transforms the tomorrow. For example, think about meaningful climate change progress. reform, like the Citizens United court way we think about transactions. For the proliferation of renewable energy These well-rooted oligarchs are not case, rebels in this school of thinking example, someone at Burning Man in companies. Recognizing that oil is a working in the people’s interest (or will generally maintain that capitalism need with a jacket could be gifted one finite resource with an expiration date, even capitalism’s broader interests). itself can be refined and improved to on a chilly evening for no payment. these capitalists are actively exploring Instead, they are working in their promote innovation, equality, and equal Gifting actions like these revolution- new and viable ways of doing business. own self interests – preferring to keep opportunity. ize traditional notions of money and The good news is that emerging raking in their profits by operating in compensation. variations of capitalism, like a clean the same old way instead of facilitating POST-CAPITALISM energy economy, are significantly more a new way of doing business. While Burning Man first came into sustainable, reduce the world’s green- Because many of readers will argue existence in 1986, other brainstorm house gas emission, and help to lower Several leading economists warn of that capitalism itself is inherently a ideas for post-capitalism ideals may consumer costs. Example: harnessing the calamitous impacts that can occur flawed and unjust system — even in invoke long-established economic free energy from the sun instead of when entrenched fat cats to take hold the theoretical — we must also deliber- and political theories. These theories having to pay cash for it. of a capitalist system and begin to reg- ate on solutions that propel us toward a include: communism, anarchism, and 251 ulate the regulators. These economists post-capitalist society. socialism. From small entrepreneurs to big time warn that it stunts innovation and that companies, capitalists across the board the consolidation of power ultimately This brainstorm is challenging from Those older isms are often miscon- are increasingly realizing that there is leads to greater income inequality, the outset, because the notion that strued but they likely deserve fair and a need for imminent climate change corruption, and even system there is anything superior to capital- impartial eyes in a rebel brainstorm 247, 248, 249 action. Several reputable CEOs and collapse. ism has traditionally been a topic that about what we can learn from the past leading industry groups have connected alarms and startles many. The threat of to improve our future. Communism, the need to tackle climate change not With the peril of fat cats grasping too post-capitalist dystopias are immortal- for example, is based on asking the simply with good corporate steward- much power laid bare on the table, ized in novels like Brave New World, theoretical question: can resources be ship, but also with their very bottom rebels can consider if today’s im- 1984, and Atlas Shrugged. Stories distributed in a more equitable way 245 line. These capitalist frontrunners plementation of capitalism can be such as these make it easy to believe than they are today? These older isms cite lower gross domestic product out- reformed to reflect its true tenets, that it’s impossible to live a successful question things like peacekeepers with like audacious innovation and a level post-capitalism world. But is it? guns that kill innocent people like Eric playing field. Garner and Mike Brown.

134 135 CHANGING If we look once more toward our owes to Gutenberg.”255 Later, Thomas THE CLIMATE rebel past, we rebels have cause for Paine built on this same premise of optimism. Widely recognized as the widely distributing rebel words when “CATCH A MAN world’s most disruptive innovation he published Common Sense and When brainstorming post-capitalist to date, the printing press rocked the helped spark the American Revolution. solutions, it is important to note that A FISH, AND world in a big way when it was invent- the path forward need not simply be ed in the 1400s. With the immensity of global chal- just one old ism. It could be a blending YOU CAN SELL lenges that we face today, it’s hard of multiple schools of thought or it When Johannes Gutenberg created his to believe that just one disruptive might be an entirely new ism that has IT TO HIM. world-changing printing press, this innovation can be enough to solve all yet to be invented. All brainstorming marked the first time in history when our worldwide woes. But when we should help address which way doing TEACH A MAN ideas could be widely disseminated begin to tally the cumulative impact things is most likely to deliver virtues TO FISH, AND with ease.252 Gutenberg’s press could of disruptive innovations, like energy like: equality, social justice, and print as many as 3,600 pages per day, storage to make renewable energy climate change action. YOU LOSE which was unprecedented at the time. more affordable and an uncensored There were over 1,000 Gutenberg Internet to widely disperse rebel ideas, Whether we rebels end up pursuing OUT ON A presses in Europe after 20 years after the sum total of innovations such as capitalist reforms, post-capitalist the invention. And by 1600, Guten- these present an opportunity to create a solutions, or some blending of the two WONDERFUL berg’s presses had produced over 200 revolutionary improved tomorrow. — all roads will ultimately coalesce million books.253 around rebel’s ultimate cannon BUSINESS of change: disruptive innovation The printing press was groundbreaking (often also referred to as disruptive OPPORTUNITY.” because it made books more widely technology). available and affordable for all kinds “THE WORLD HATES KARL MARX of people – not only affluent fat cats Disruptive innovation is revolutionary CHANGE, YET IT IS THE at the top – but for we the people. because it fundamentally changes the lete, email largely replacing the tradi- The printing press is widely credited ONLY THING THAT HAS way we think about and do things. tional mailing system, online streaming as the vehicle that ushered in the Age Disruptive innovation is the creation of roiling the VCR/DVD rental industry, of Enlightenment, which was defined BROUGHT PROGRESS.” a new idea, product or technology that and car sharing services racing ahead by the dispersed sharing of new and shakes up the status quo in a big way. CHARLES KETTERING of the traditional taxi model. often-edgy ideas.254 Partly fueled by the Digital Revolution, disruptive innovations are happening While revolutionary change can be The printing press was so influential in around us all the time with increasing partly achieved by disrupting capital- triggering revolutions, religious shake- frequency. ism to bring attention to our problem- ups, and wildly new scientific ideas atic status quo, it will ultimately be during the Age of Enlightenment that Some revolutionary example of disrup- secured from disruptive innovations rebel writer Mark Twain said: “what tive innovation include the advent of that monumentally shake up today’s the world is today, good and bad, it the telephone making telegraphy obso- way of doing business.

136 137 DISRUPT CAPITALISM + HAVE FUN

Game-changing innovations, such as By disrupting specific pillars of affordable renewable energy, are said capitalism, we are able to hone in to be on the brink of discovery. If we on particular areas of our status quo are so close to inventing these disrup- to drive change. For example, when tive innovations in the ever elusive laying off the gas pump, we are ques- tomorrow, what is stopping us from tioning the use of fossil fuels to run our living in a climate where these solu- world. And when bartering, we are the tions can manifest themselves today? questioning the increasingly inequitable dollar. Perhaps the biggest impediment to creating this climate of innovation The 21 rebel strategies are made up of springs from the lack of people out one part disruption and one part fun. there calling for novel solutions to the Engaging in nonviolent fun through- challenges we face. Indeed, changing out the duration of our struggle arms our climate begins by people saying rebels with a weapon that cannot be that the climate needs changing. subdued. As A Rebel’s Handbook notes from the start, capitalism may be able Here, it is not simply through the pepper spray us and force-feed us, but amplification of a single megaphone, no action can take away our freedom but through the sum total of many to smile and make someone else laugh voices that our rebel roar will be heard. with a rebel joke. Doing so injects the monotonous dialogue on the airwaves today with an As we rebels fortify ourselves with impetus to develop bold policies that fun disruptions, aim our cannons of tackles pressing problems, reforms disruptive innovation, and engage in existing areas of transgression, and rebel brainstorms about our future, spurs wildly new disruptive innova- we do not have the luxury to do so tions. leisurely. The immediate need to change our business-as-usual grows The enclosed 21 tactics raise awareness all the more acute as the world comes about our perilous status quo. They are ever closer to a climatic tipping not rocket science – but fairly simple point of 3.6 degrees. disruptions to poke fun at the serious- PYRAMID OF CAPITALIST SYSTEM ness and impenetrability that some people perceive in our current system. INDUSTRIAL WORKERS OF THE WORLD POSTER, UNITED STATES, 1911.

138 139 But this name-calling does not need All we ask is that, at the very least, to faze us rebels. We have already you help shake up the status quo with a “PEACEFUL, enlisted in the rebel struggle and can Rebel Cocktail. If handed out correctly, laugh off these insults with ease. But the aim of the Rebel Cocktail is to raise LAWFUL PROTEST, how about you, the non-rebels? With awareness about the problems we face IF IT IS EFFECTIVE, the mountain of our shared challenges and to serve as a kick-off innovation IS INNATELY laid bare before you, what side of the that can help fuel the advent of other issues do you want to say you stood on disruptive innovations. DISRUPTIVE OF when your children or grandchildren ‘BUSINESS-AS - ask you about this period of change 50 Rebels: ultimately, the ability to years from now? improve our climate does not rest with USUAL.’ THAT IS any one particular moment or faraway WHY IT IS Do you want to join us rebels and person. It lies squarely with each of EFFECTIVE.” stand with 97% of scientists who are you. By taking one simple action, as urging for climate change action? With minute as placing a note inside a bottle, NAOMI WOLF 99% of the American population who you yourself become a catalyst for have earned the right to question our change. You offer your voice in the call current economic structure?256, 257 Or do for a better and more just tomorrow. you want to stand with the dwindling You help to spread the rebel words of minority of those who threaten our progress and change. REBEL COCKTAILS very survival? So to all you rebels and soon-to-be Despite the mountain of challenges we rebels – I) get ready to have some fun. It’s always the winners who end up face, we rebels can assuredly march Write a little joke to put in your Rebel writing history. If America’s first round forward with ease in our pathway to Cocktail. Next, II) get set to change the of rebels had lost their rebel struggle, progress. Because even if you non- climate: stuff your note into bottle and they would have surely been dubbed as rebels stand against us, there’s a 99% prepare to pass your bottle to a friend traitors. But in their victory, our nation chance you’re with us. or stranger. And then, III)…go! reveres these rebel fighters as heroes.

So for all you rebels and inquisitive Rebels: then, like now, we live in a readers, for all you troublemakers and time when many in the world doubt dissidents and agitators, for all you the virtues of our cause. As highlighted dreamers and optimists and visionaries earlier, there are people who call us – for anyone possessing the inkling of liars when we say climate change is a spark to help improve our world – the real. They call us “thugs” when we future of our planet depends upon you. decry the needless deaths of fellow citi- But don’t worry. The climate revolu- zens like Eric Garner, Michael Brown, tion does not require much of you if Freddie Gray, and Sandra Bland. you don’t wish to give much to it.

140 141 EPILOGUE A CALL FOR PEACE

“IF THE BEE DISAPPEARED OFF THE SURFACE OF THE GLOBE, THEN MAN WOULD HAVE ONLY FOUR YEARS OF LIFE LEFT. NO MORE BEES, NO MORE POLLINATION, NO MORE PLANTS, NO MORE ANIMALS, NO MORE MAN.”

ALBERT EINSTEIN

142 143 DEAR CITIZENS change was real. We were spit on. Who sacrificed so much, driven by our OF THE WORLD In my lifetime, Albert Einstein Beaten. Arrested. Some of us were fervent, and perhaps even outlandish imparted a warning to my generation: even killed. But no matter what the fat ideals. Ideals like the aspiration that IN 2100: “If the bee disappeared off the surface cats did to stop us, we rebels just kept you would one day be able to taste a of the globe, then man would have only on smiling and having fun. bee’s honey and know the sweetness It’s always the winners who end up four years of life left. No more bees, no that nature can bring. writing history. And at this point in the more pollination, no more plants, no Whether we lost or won our chapter in rebel fight, I don’t know if the rebels more animals, no more man.” the ongoing rebel fight, the rebels of Whether you’re reading this with a from my time will win or lose. If we my time are now long gone. Citizens drone circling overhead or on the walls lost this thing, a drone may be circling With sea levels higher and the taste of of the world in 2100: I hope you have of a museum, you can remember us overhead as you whisper rebel words honey perhaps just a distant memory, taken up the rebel baton. Because best by sitting back and telling a rebel in secrecy. And if we won, there’s a you will surely wonder if people of my ultimately, the world always depends joke. Because rebels of all generations: chance this silly yellowed letter could time realized the destruction we were upon rebels. if we’re not laughing, we’re losing. be affixed to a museum wall. causing from our greenhouse gas emissions. And the answer is yes. In my We’re the people who question the In Solidarity, Whatever the outcome of the climate time, people started to see the warning status quo. Who continually push for revolution was, I am certain of at least signs. We woke up to front-page news greater things. Who believe a better this: you are living in a different world stories about ice sheets melting and future is eternally possible. We are the than mine. The maps of our worlds bees dying. watchdogs who call foul if a govern- are different ones. Because even if we ment tries to take too much power. rebels did avert the most dire impacts Despite these warning signs, some We’re the ones who rise up to crimes of climate change, we knew our actions people in my world continued to claim against humanity − like climate change would not be enough to alleviate all the that climate change was not real or − when we bear witness. inexorable climate impacts that the fat that there was nothing we could do to cats of our time had already put into help solve it. Governments during my Indeed, the world has and always will motion. time were unwilling or too timid to call depend upon rebels to keep our needle human-caused climate change for what tirelessly aimed toward progress. So to Although it may be hard for you to it was: a crime against humanity. all you rebels of 2100 – however the believe, I lived in a time before sea world chooses to remember the rebels levels rose. And even though it’s hard But please know this: not all of us were of my time, I hope you will remember for me to believe, many of the species just sitting by silently. We rebels were us as a people who, like you, believe that existed during my lifetime are now rebelling. As capitalism darkened our in upholding justice and safeguarding gone in yours. world with challenges like climate tomorrow. change and inequality, we did our best I don’t know which animals are still to rise to the occasion with a smile. If you are alive and reading this now with you, but I do hope we rebels – regardless of the outcome of the cli- succeeded in staving off an extinction Even though we were smiling and mate revolution – I hope you will pay of the bees. That you can taste a bee’s laughing, don’t think that our rebel some respect to the rebels of my time honey and know the sweetness that fight was easy. There were people who fought for you to be here. nature can bring. who called us liars for saying climate

144 145 RESOURCES REBEL TOOLKIT

“WHATEVER THERE MAY OF PROGRESS IN LIFE COMES NOT THROUGH ADAPTATION, BUT THROUGH DARING.”

HENRY MILLER

146 147 TOOLKIT ROADMAP

THESE ARE A FEW TOOLS TO LEND YOU A HAND IN THE REBEL FIGHT:

REBEL HEATSHEET: Disrupt Capitalism and Have Fun 150

FINE PRINT: FAQs 153

REBEL READING: Good Reads 155

CAPITALISM 101: Talking Points 156

CLIMATE CHANGE 101: More Talking Points 159

BURNING MAN 101: Some More Talking Points 160

PHOTOS: Credits 162 “CONTINUE TO CONTAMINATE YOUR BED,

AND YOU WILL ONE NIGHT SUFFOCATE WORKS CITED: Additional Info 168 IN YOUR OWN WASTE.”

CHIEF SEALTH (SEATTLE) Rebels can help out other rebels by adding additional resources into this toolkit. Give us case studies of what worked best in your disrupting, or a sample press release, or the heatsheet translated into a new language. All tools and resources help. All tools are welcomed at RebelsHandbook.com.

148 149 REBEL HEATSHEET HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM

6) Forward Staging catchy protests with clever costumes March DISRUPTS capitalism’s determination to hide from the media. THE LOWDOWN: With the pillars of capitalism and tenets of social change in mind, the Rebel Heatsheet offers 21 social change strategies to disrupt capitalism’s key pillars. The rebel fight is buttressed by having fun: the key ingredient in all 7) Curb Filling empty meters to sidestep parking tickets 21 strategies. *See warning for tactic seven on page 85. Penalty DISRUPTS capitalism’s ability to collect Fees* government revenue.

8) Pop a Squat Squatting with friends DISRUPTS capitalism’s definition of property rights. HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM

A) DISSENT: SPEAK OUT 9) Stike a Burning symbolic objects with Flag Burn Match Parties DISRUPTS capitalism’s dependency 1) Smile, Making people smile with random acts of for public apathy. Be Happy kindness DISRUPTS capitalism’s myth that strangers are unkind. C) CRACK JOKES: PUNCHY PRANKS

2) Walk on the Learning local laws and defying the silly 10) Applaud Issuing satirical awards, like “polluter of the Wild Side ones DISRUPTS capitalism’s meme to Your year,” DISRUPTS capitalism’s plea for “follow the rules.” Adversaries consumerism without question.

3) Get Weird Embracing funky styles, like spoof suits, DISRUPTS capitalism’s boring fashion rules. 11) Turn On, Surfing the web with free ad blockers Tune In, DISRUPTS capitalism’s investment in online Drop Out infrastructure.

4) Take a Dive Recycling strategies, like dumpster diving, DISRUPTS capitalism’s drive for constant 12) Play Hooky Joining group hooky days out of the office consumption. DISRUPTS capitalism’s foundation of workforce support. B) COMBINE FORCES: ORGANIZE

13) Take a 5) Do a Little Participating in “spontaneous” flash mobs Gaming classic payment methods with Penny Swipe Dance, Make DISRUPTS capitalism’s control of public spaces. Swipes DISRUPTS capitalism’s insatiable A Little Love appetite for cheap credit.

150 151 HAVE FUN DISRUPT CAPITALISM FINE PRINT

14) Layoff Bypassing gas payments with “bike to work The Pump parties,” DISRUPTS capitalism’s bet on the stock market. THE LOWDOWN: Even Rebel Handbooks’ have fine print. This fine print proactively addresses questions or criticisms that may come up regarding the D) VIVA LA REVOLUTION: CREATE CHANGE handbook. The info is provided to offer clear and direct info to you. It’s also offered to give you a sound bite if a friend asks you about one of these issues and you want some talking points. 15) Share if Using peer-to-peer platforms, like ridesharing, You Care DISRUPTS capitalism’s affinity for monopolies.

NONVIOLENCE: This handbook QUOTES: The handbook includes 16) Get By w/ Using alternative payments, such as bartering, advocates for nonviolence only: 100% dozens of quotes from various leaders a Little DISRUPTS capitalism’s dollar dependency. of the time with no exceptions. throughout history. The inclusion of a Help from quote does not indicate an endorsement Your Friends SAFETY: Safety should always be a for any one particular person or ideolo- paramount priority for rebels. Exercise gy. Further, including a person’s quote 17) Fix The Vote Electing funny fake leaders, like Mickey Mouse, safety when implementing any of the does not give a pass for any wrongs DISRUPTS capitalism’s legitimacy to operate. rebel strategies to ensure you are not that person may have committed in needlessly harmed in the rebel fight. their lifetime.

LEGALITY: Some of strategies POLITICAL NEUTRALITY: The 18) Fight Like Developing new and nonviolent guerrilla discussed in this handbook could be handbook expresses discontent with to- a Guerrilla tactics DISRUPTS capitalism’s ability to illegal if implemented in certain juris- day’s implementation of capitalism, but laugh off funny rebels. dictions. The author of this handbook nowhere does it promote one particular doesn’t know where you live and can’t political party or singular ideology. advise you on the state of the law in 19) Burn the Living the burner life at Burning Man The future is something that should be Man your area. Know your rights and know DISRUPTS capitalism’s sales-pitch that it’s decided collaboratively by the people. your risks. Any acts you undertake are the best way to live. at your own risk. FACT CHECKING: Capitalists who don’t like the material in this handbook INCLUSIVENESS: Rebels can be 20) Brainstorm Organizing rebel events to brainstorm our could pay fact-checkers lots of money the Future anyone from any background. The future DISRUPTS capitalism’s plan to stick to comb through every statistic cited handbook favors no one particular ra- with business-as-usual. with the goal of finding errors. And if cial, religious, gender, or socioeconom- someone looks hard enough, they may ic group over another. The handbook find some mistakes. But don’t let fat 21) Spread the Writing messages in bottles to share makes every attempt to be maximally Word cats belittle the handbook just because #RebelCocktails DISRUPTS capitalism’s inclusive for everyone. attempt to stem a rebel revolution.

152 153 we rebels don’t have the same re- PHOTO LICENSING: All photo- sources to hire an army of researchers. graphs in the handbook have a creative Even if it turns out that a percentage is REBEL READING commons license, are available in the slightly off or out of date, the broader public domain, or have provided per- themes of the handbook still echo. mission by other means. Thank you to THE LOWDOWN: There are lots of different kind of people out there – from ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: all photographers cited on page 16 for environmentalists, to economists, to philosophers. There are lots of rebel materials There is a lot more information that helping to tell the rebel narrative with available for all kimds of people if you’d like to keep learning more. belongs in A Rebel’s Handbook and your compelling photos. these topics can and should be brought PRINTED COPIES: The handbook into the conversation. Extensive cover- primarily exists in the online world. age on all of today’s problems requires CLIMATE CHANGE ADVOCATES POLICY MAKERS However, printed copies can be a teamwork and collaboration to put it all IPCC Fifth Assessment Report: U.S. Constitution: A good refresher helpful way to spread the rebel world. together. As such, rebels are encour- Published by the International Panel on for our leaders. When reading, please If you do print, please do so with aged to explore how any unaddressed Climate Change, the Fifth Assessment pay particular to the freedom of speech recycled paper and environmentally problems relate to capitalism and what provides the latest climate change stats section. benign inks to minimize environmental rebel tactic can be used to bring atten- from scientific experts. HISTORIANS • A People’s History of degradation. tion to that particular issue. the United States: Howard Zinn lays ECONOMISTS • Capital in the out the history of the U.S. from the ECON: Capitalism is admittedly a RED HERRING: There always ends Twenty-First Century: Thomas Piketty perspective of we the people. tricky topic to understand and it can up being a red herring in a project like offers a sobering narrative about the be hard to digest all of its unique attri- this. The one flash point of controversy underpinnings of capitalism in Capital. PHILOSOPHERS • The Rebel: butes. There are experts who have been or issue that people tend to become the An Essay on Man in Revolt: Albert studying the field for centuries. CAPITALISTS • The Wolf of Wall most preoccupied with. Maybe it will Camus advocates for the imperative A Rebel’s Handbook attempts to Street: A 2.5-hour movie showing be one strategy that’s ends up being of social change. streamline the explanation of capi- particularly controversial or a mistak- capitalists in action and what it looks talism to make it more digestible and enly cited fact. Let’s not let this red like to be a fat cat. PESSIMISTS • The Hunger Games: accessible. Anyone interested in the herring dilute the rebel fight.A Rebel’s If you think social change is ENVIRONMENTALISTS complete breadth of capitalism in and Handbook succeeds if people can stay impossible, treat yourself to a fun read The Lorax: Dr. Seuss gives us an of itself is encouraged to read up more focused on the bigger narrative: we and let Katniss Everdeen inspire you. environmental classic with The Lorax on the topic. need change. and lays out the perils of environmental HIPSTERS • NPR: Check out NPR to COPYRIGHT: The handbook is AUTHOR ANONYMITY: degradation. learn more about all the crazy shit hap- copyrighted, which may seem antithet- The author has chosen to remain pening around us today. And because, SOCIAL CHANGERS • Power ical to being a rebel. Why would rebels anonymous because the rebel fight inextricably, hipster’s can’t seem to and Struggle: Gene Sharp provides have rules? The book is copyrighted is not about any one singular person: resist NPR. an insightful commentary on how to ensure the content remains free and it is about we the people. Please nonviolent civil disobedience can rock to safeguard the content from ever respect this. PEOPLE WHO HATE READING being reworked into a narrative that the world. Gandhi: A 3-hour movie showing what advocates for harm or violence. happens when lots of people organize to create nonviolent change.

154 155 CAPITALISM 101 2. THE DOLLAR EXPERIMENT

THE LOWDOWN: Here’s a possible scenario: you read the handbook and get THE EXPERIMENT We come THE TAKEAWAY There could excitedbut none of your friends get it because it’s hard for them to see what’s wrong across the dollar bill every day. be a lot of different reasons why with capitalism. To help: three “experiments” you can walk non-rebels through. We’re so used to looking at it, we- that owl is hiding out on the dollar. don’t spend much time staring at Maybe it’s simply a counterfeit it. We know George Washington’s mechanism to help make copying face is on there. But what else? the dollar harder. Or maybe it’s Have you ever wondered what something more sinister, and 1. THE GOOGLE EXPERIMENT other random things maybe hiding involves a wild conspiracy. Who on there? knows? But the answer about why it’s there doesn’t really matter for For this experiment, use a magni- this experiment. THE EXPERIMENT Google is a revered THE TAKEAWAY fying glass and look really closely information source for any topic. So let’s use Gravity is a constant toward the top right corner of the The takeaway is this: if you look Google for our first experiment. and integral force that dollar bill. If you look closely closely enough at any object is active every moment enough, you’ll see an owl with you see everyday, there can be Google image search “peace.” of our lives.Yet, it’s scary eyes starring right at you. If something surprisingly hidden What images come up? difficult to explain you don’t have a magnifying glass and undiscovered (like a random and categorize when lying around,you can use the zoom owl). When it comes to capitalism, If you Google it, you will see lots of we search for it. It is function on a phone camera to spot we may think we’ve got an idea recognizable signs of peace. Peace signs, almost invisible. There the owl. of what it’s all about, but like the doves, fingers forming the peace sign. All easy are other omnipresent dollar, there is a lot more to it than and quick ways forus to categorize and label and allusive forces like originally meets our eyes. the idea of “peace.” gravity, and capitalism is one of Now Google image search “gravity.” them. Like gravity, What images come up? capitalism is also powerful, invisible and The images are more disjointed and allusive hard to pinpoint. here. Lots of photos of George Clooney and Sandra Bullock floating around in outer space. For bonus points: Some diagrams attempting to explain the Law Google image search of Universal Gravitation. But nothing that “capitalism” to see this really lets us put our finger on what gravity point further demon- actually is. strated.

156 157 3. THE NEWS EXPERIMENT CLIMATE CHANGE 101 THE EXPERIMENT This THE TAKEAWAY Based on experiment is easy: just find a today’s current events, things are news source and check out the not going well in the world. And headline story. Chances are that it even scarier, they look to be THE LOWDOWN: The term “climate change” sounds confusing to so many will be about something scary and getting worse if you’re a news people, but it’s actually a pretty simple concept. If you’re trying to explain what alarming: war, murder, poverty, a hound whose been following the climate change is to someone, this tool is designed to help you out. crazy weather event, a government trajectory of events. Even though mistake. capitalism is hidden (like the dollar’s owl) it is a powerful and active force, (like gravity), that CLIMATE CHANGE IS CLIMATE CHANGE IS SCARY: is driving today’s most pressing SIMPLE: current events. Can you identify Humans are releasing tons If actions are not taken to rein in our the red thread of capitalism the of greenhouse gas emissions into the greenhouse gas emissions, scientists next time you read through the atmosphere, which is causing the warn of dire consequences including news? greenhouse effect. Like smaller loss of food and water supplies, species greenhouses people build to trap in extinction, and deadly extreme weather heat, the world’s greenhouse effect events. is working in a similar way.258 SOMETHING CAN BE DONE: CLIMATE CHANGE IS Scientists tell us that if we take HAPPENING: The facts all point to significant actions to solve climate the reality that climate change is not change today, we can help avert its only real, but that it’s happening today. most harmful impacts. Select stats: • We use three ways to measure global surface temperature and all of them tell us that our earth has warmed since 1880.259 • The 10 warmest years on record having occurred since 2000.260 • Most of our country has recently experienced unprecedented periods of high temperatures, heavy downpours, and severe floods or drought.261

158 159 BURNING BURNING MAN 101 (CONT.)

RADICAL SELF-EXPRESSION: PARTICIPATION: MAN 101 Radical self-expression arises from the Our community is committed to a rad- unique gifts of the individual. No one ically participatory ethic. We believe other than the individual or a collabo- that transformative change, whether in rating group can determine its content. the individual or in society, can occur THE LOWDOWN: Classified as a “network of dreamers and doers,” Burning Man It is offered as a gift to others. In this only through the medium of deeply embodies post-capitalist ideals of living. Drawing over 65,000 people to the Nevada spirit, the giver should respect the personal participation. We achieve desert each year for a weeklong burn, Burning Man adheres to core guiding principles rights and liberties of the recipient. being through doing. Everyone is in order to ensure the community functions effectively. Whether you approach Burn- invited to work. Everyone is invited to ing Man as an expert, novice, or skeptic – understanding the ten principles that guide COMMUNAL EFFORT: play. We make the world real through Burning Man provides a better understanding of how post-capitalist communities can Our community values creative cooper- actions that open the heart. function.262 ation and collaboration. We strive to produce, promote and protect social IMMEDIACY: networks, public spaces, works of art, Immediate experience is, in many The ten principles outlined below are a DECOMMODIFICATION: and methods of communication that ways, the most important touchstone direct copy of Burning Man co-founder In order to preserve the spirit of gifting, support such interaction. of value in our culture. We seek to Larry Harvey’s words. He explains that our community seeks to create social overcome barriers that stand between these principles are not crafted to dic- environments that are unmediated by CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY: us and a recognition of our inner tate how people should be and act, but commercial sponsorships, transactions, We value civil society. Community selves, the reality of those around us, rather, as a reflection of the Burning or advertising. We stand ready to pro- members who organize events should participation in society, and contact Man community’s ethos and culture as tect our culture from such exploitation. assume responsibility for public with a natural world exceeding human it had organically developed. We resist the substitution of consump- welfare and endeavor to communicate powers. No idea can substitute for this tion for participatory experience. civic responsibilities to participants. experience.”263 RADICAL INCLUSION: They must also assume responsibility “Anyone may be a part of Burning RADICAL SELF-RELIANCE: for conducting events in accordance Man. We welcome and respect the Burning Man encourages the individual with local, state and federal laws. stranger. No prerequisites exist for to discover, exercise and rely on his or participation in our community. her inner resources. LEAVING NO TRACE: Our community respects the environ- GIFTING: ment. We are committed to leaving Burning Man is devoted to acts of gift no physical trace of our activities giving. The value of a gift is uncondi- wherever we gather. We clean up after tional. Gifting does not contemplate a ourselves and endeavor, whenever pos- return or an exchange for something sible, to leave such places in a better of equal value. state than when we found them.

160 161 P 14: “Capitol Rotunda & Statute of Freedom, Orange Jumpsuit” by PHOTO CREDITS Takomabibelot licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.

P 25: “Wired” by the Darin Bell licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. THE LOWDOWN: All photographs in the handbook have a creative commons P 26:“Icebergs, Greenland” by Brocken Ingalory licensed under Creative license, are available in the public domain, or have provided permission by other Commons 2.0. means. Thank you to all photographers for helping to tell the rebel narrative with your into a circle: all modified images continue to be available in the public domain. P 26: “The Greenhouse Effect” by U.S. EPA available in the public domain. The visual composition has been modified.

P V: “Uncle Sam I Want You” by DonkeyHotey licensed under Creative P 38: “Solider Rescuing Civilians from Flooded Egham” by Defense Images Commons 2.0. licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. bum-72157626476318893/> P 43: “Top 10 Emitters” by World Resources Institute available in the public P VI: “Knotted Gun” by Sari Dennise licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. domain. The visual composition has been modified. < http://www.wri.org/sites/default/files/uploads/top_10_emitters.png>

P VIII: “Manhattan, People’s Climate March” by The All-Nite Images licensed P 46: “People’s Climate March NYC” by Susan Melkisethian licensed under under Creative Commons 2.0. Creative Commons 2.0.

P X: “Skimming oil in the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill” P 50: “Flower Power” by JF1234 licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. by NOAA licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 57: “WTO Protests” by Steve Kaiser licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 1: “A man playing piano in front of the police” by Jordi Bernabeu Ferrus P 57 “UC Davis Pepper Spray Incident” by Louise Macabitas licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 4: “Aerial Photo Of Black Rock City at Sunrise” by Duncan Rawlinson licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 60: “Burning Man 2013 Cargo Cult” by Bex-Brown-Spinelli licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 6: “Monopoly” by Mike_Fleming licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 62: “RNC Riot Cops” by Nigel Parry licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 13: “Signs of the Times - Foreclosure” by Jeff Turner licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.

162 163 P 68: “We are here to stay” by Jamelle Bouie licensed under Creative Commons P 92: “Table of Champagne” by L.C. Nottaasen licensed under Creative 2.0. Commons 2.0. 72157646091879339/> P 94: “IMG_2792” by Nathan Rupert licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 70: “The most moving picture I ever took” by Hanan Cohen licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 96: “The Greatest Button In The World” by Seth McGrath licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 72: “Breaking the law” by Carl Nenzen Loven licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 98: “Sumo” by Duncan C licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 74: “151133” by TaylorHerring licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 100: “World Naked bike Ride 2009 London” by Carlos Felipe Pardo licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 76: “Seamen Fridah Kelley wades through a dumpster” by U.S. Navy available in the public domain. during_a_community_service_project_at_the_Feed_Nova_Scotia_food bank.jpg> P 104: “Sharing Flavored, Colored Ice” by Clappstar licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 78: “Sunflower Student Movement in Taiwan” by Artemas Liiu licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 106: “Roll of money” by Frankieleon licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 80: “Flashmob el día internacional de la danza en Bilbao 2012 III” by Alberto Varela licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 108: “Mickey and the Disneyland Band in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle” by Loren Javier licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 82: “DSC07955” by Karen Eliot licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 110: “Gorillas with baby in Rwanda” by Derek Keats licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 84: “Private Parking Meters” by Get Directly Down licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 112: “Whole Lotta Love” by Alan Grinberg licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 86: “Day 3 Occupy Wall Street 2011 Shankbone 9” by David Shankbone licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 114: “Brainstorms at Index” by Jacob Botter licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 88: “Oh say, can you see?” by Brandi licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 115: “Rebel Cocktail” by Anonymous available in the public domain. P 90: “Free Hugs” by Tim Brockley licensed under Creative Commons 2.0. P 118: “Curved Flame Burning Man 2013” by Duncan Rawlinson licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.

164 165 P 120: “Civil Rights March on Washington D.C.” by Warren Leffler has no known restrictions.

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P 159: “Storm Surge” by David Baird licensed under Creative Commons 2.0.

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148 Cornell University Law School. “First Amendment: An Overview.” 161 PBS. “Timeline of the Great Depression.” American Experience. 2013. Legal Informtion Institute. 162 Gunders, Dana. “Wasted: How America Is Losing Up to 40 Percent of Its 149 History.com “Gandhi begins fast in protest of caste separation.” Food from Farm to Fork to Landfill.” NRDC Issue Paper. August, 2012. This Day In History. 2015. 163 Feeding America. “Hunger In America 2014.” Feeding America. 2015. Detentions.” The New York Times. May 23, 2014. mobs: again.” Newsnet5 ABC. October 3, 2011. December 7, 2014. May, 2013.

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174 Corley, Sheryl. “Why Those Tiny Microbeads In Soap May Pose Problem For 187 Fortune.Com. “Fortune 500.” Time Inc. 2015. Great Lakes.” NPR. May 28, 2014. 188 The Economist. “The Rise of the Sharing Economy.” The Economist. March 9, 2013. 175 Kovacs, Anna-Maria. “Telecommunications competition: the infrastructure- 189 Isidore, Chris. “New York City’s Yellow Cab Crisis.” CNN Money. July 22, 2015. 176 Manjoo, Farhad. “Ad Blockers and the Nuisance at the Heart of the Modern Web.” The New York Times. August 19, 2015. 177 PageFair Team. “The 2015 Ad Blocking Report.” PageFair. August 10, 2015.

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253 Andrews, Evan. “11 Innovations That Changed History.” History.com December 18, 2012.

188 189 “IF YOUR REGIME IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO HANDLE A JOKE, THEN YOU HAVE NO REGIME.”

JON STEWART

190