what is a Critical Mass?
Thread started by
trickmilla at 11.27.10 - 9:45 pm
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that great to see. Sadly no one in LA likes to stand up to do the same. Hopefully those people didn't make an "Alternative ride"
palucha6611.27.10 - 9:48 pm
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Great movie about the origins of Critical Mass.
Girl Power11.28.10 - 12:01 am
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Dont hurt yourself too much borfo. Learn to accept change.
palucha66 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.28.10 - 12:43 am
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palucha,
I know your heart is in the right place but you are out of line talking shit to Borfo.
Making alternate critical masses is 1000% in lines with the style, history and spirit of Critical Mass.
Unilaterally changing the structure of the ride is not.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by palucha66
11.28.10 - 1:12 am
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"Well, as that video Patrick posted proposed, the important political moment of Critical Mass happens in the experience of the rider, not the spectators. It is about experiencing freedom, not disrupting capitalism or whatever (it's going to take more than a bike ride). Thus, any ride is potentially political even if not overtly dressed up as such. Indeed, the politics of confrontation, of expecting some sort of radical, revolutionary break, seems rather outmoded. There is a reason why most well-meaning revolutions usually spawn dictatorships, not anarchies. Personally, I like that people are thinking so much and so seriously about how to make this all work and believe it is that attempt, that thinking and that negotiation, that is perhaps the important success, regardless of how any specific ride goes. It is about crafting thoughtful riders, not the perfect ride. There is no perfect ride. They are all perfect rides." - A little mouse in a tuxedo.
Joe Borfo11.28.10 - 1:54 am
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Palucha and Borfo arguing, sounds a little angsty.
I sense much of this "Sixteen years old and I'm angry at my father" nonsense going on between the opposing parties.
bentstrider11.28.10 - 3:22 am
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From Wikipedia:
"Critical Mass differs from many other social movements in its rhizomal (rather than hierarchical) structure. Critical Mass is sometimes called an "organized coincidence", with no leadership or membership. The routes of some rides are decided spontaneously by whoever is currently at the front of the ride, while others are decided prior to the ride by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied flyers. The term xerocracy was coined to describe a process by which the route for a Critical Mass can be decided: anyone who has an opinion makes their own map and distributes it to the cyclists participating in the Mass. Still other rides decide the route by consensus. The "disorganized" nature of the event allows it to largely escape clampdown by authorities who may view the rides as forms of parades or organized protest. Additionally, the movement is free from the structural costs associated with a centralized, hierarchical organization. In order for the event to function, the only requirement is a sufficient turn-out to create a "critical mass" of riders dense enough to occupy a piece of road to the exclusion of drivers of motorized vehicles. Authorities in New York, California and Oregon have expressed concern with the difficulty of coordinating with the riders, due to the lack of leadership."
trickmilla11.28.10 - 11:18 am
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Palucha lead the best LACM ride I've been on so far. He kept the ride at a moderate to slow pace which kept the ride together. It could have been even slower towards DTLA to prevent the ride being cut in half at the lights.
So maybe having smaller rides is better if the alternative is the disaster that happen in October whereby I and many others found ourselves either alone or with just a half dozen or so other riders most of the time.
The trick to keeping LACM one huge cohesive experience is to go slow, and stop at all the red and green lights to make sure everyone is all caught up. If the entire ride is totally caught up then it can be appropriate for the police to cork intersections for us which is what they did *when we rode as one big group.* The police cannot be expected to cork intersections for the ride once the ride has broken up, that is too tedious for them and for traffic.
So if you want the police to cork then keep the ride together *at all costs*, even if it means going slower than normal and waiting at green lights (letting the lights turn a few times) before proceeding. Problem solved. Simple!
Girl Power11.28.10 - 12:19 pm
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"while others are decided prior to the ride by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied flyers."
well what do you know..... technically speaking people could decide on a route "prior to the ride by popular vote" who says this can't occur days or weeks before and include law enforcement?
my only gripe for Palucha when we were discussing his idea of giving the cops a route was that he make it known to the public what he's doing and let the community not only know about it but weigh in on the route....
Technically speaking Palucha should be posting up a route thread and letting people vote on it and form a consensus on it before it is presented. Perhaps also if this doesnt satisfy the purists the route can be discussed on the day of the ride and shared with LAPD?
Roadblock responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 12:41 pm
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I can't believe you guys gave the LAPD a route. Do you seek approval of the LAPD when you commute to work? Do Laker fans have to approve with the LAPD when they converge on the Staples Center? I don't get it.
The next step for LACM is for them to have to get permits, guess who will get cited if you don't have a permit? Whoever is "Leading" critical mass. Sorry Palucha, that means you.
the reverend dak responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 12:51 pm
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"my only gripe for Palucha when we were discussing his idea of giving the cops a route was that he make it known to the public what he's doing and let the community not only know about it but weigh in on the route...."
I appreciated that actually. I thought that Palucha was articulate and interacted with the police and the riders extremely well, better than other ride leaders in the past.
I loved knowing the route, because it gave me the opportunity to plan how and when I would leave. I live in North Hollywood, so that let me know to go on the redline to go home or catch the People's Ride and not go all the way out of my way down to Media Park.
Palucha should be praised for having the ability to create a dialogue and a consensus between himself, the police and the riders - not criticized for it. That is not an easy thing to do, yet Palucha was a natural, he has a natural gift for communication and leadership.
You and I will have to respectfully agree to disagree. Most young people don't have the courage to look a police officer in the face let alone carry on a friendly conversation with one, and lead a huge group, he did an amazing job!
Girl Power responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 1:01 pm
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Having a bunch of people deciding independently to propose routes and deciding by popular vote at the start of the ride is different than one person broadcasting a route in advance to the police and forcing everybody to go along with that route or be left behind.
What would the police do if a group of people up front decided by popular vote to go off of palucha's route, then what?
Look at CM groups all over the world.
Many have some kind of route, but that is almost always decided on by popular support on a month to month basis at the time of the ride, not unilaterally on authority that is granted by the police.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 1:08 pm
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I'm talking about my gripe to him when we discussed it weeks before at the MR Summer Camp ride when he brought up that he was going to create a route and give it to the cops, not the night of.... It sounds like he indeed did make it known that he was creating a route. I assume this all happened on facebook?
Roadblock responding to a
comment by Girl Power
11.28.10 - 1:13 pm
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you didnt catch what I said. if you use the wikipedia definition (or wherever that definition came from) that routes are drawn up and collaborated upon then passed out on flyers one would assume this all occurs quite some time before the actual ride. as photocopied flyers take at least some preparation before the ride itself right? fast forward to the internet age where the definition of "flyer" is now digital and the consensus is built via discussion online.
according to your posted definition, Palucha did everything according to CM code... It doesnt say anything in the definition as to whether the cops can be informed of the route agreed upon through community discussion.... just saying, as long as the community knows and is able to discuss the route then it appears that it's according to CM code.
end of the day? if the cops squeeze too hard the riders will form other rides anyway. we will see if the LAPD can be trusted. lots of people are watching.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 1:20 pm
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I appreciate that you had a great time on the ride but please respect that Critcial Mass is 18 years into a global tradition, that with all its infinite variation retains certain values and a simple format.
Nobody has the right to unilaterally decide on a predetermined route and give it to the police.
I have no doubt that you and many people had one of the funnest rides of your life but it was not in the global tradition of Critical Mass.
This takes nothing away from Palucha, his talents, his genuine efforts to do something positive.
But continuing to this ride with this format a "Critical Mass" does.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Girl Power
11.28.10 - 1:23 pm
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My main issue is convincing riders not to ride like a mob and clog the left lane and run the red lights. A route is fine, but knowing the destination is just as good.
Can you at least acknowledge that?
Please before User1 wakes up.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by Girl Power
11.28.10 - 1:27 pm
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I agree 100% no one has the right to do it unilaterally.
would it satisfy you if palucha (and whomever) came to a consensus on the route beforehand? if so what is your definition of an agree-able definition of time for "beforehand" and also an agree-able amount of people to form a "consensus."
meet those standards and voila problems would appear to be solved.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 1:30 pm
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No where in that definition does it say that "routes are pre-draw by a single person, then given in advance to the authorities as a quid-pro-quo to assure they will not falsely arrest people, hand out bullshit tickets, or aggressively break up the ride".
that is quite different from:
"The routes of some rides are decided spontaneously by whoever is currently at the front of the ride, while others are decided prior to the ride
by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied flyers. The term xerocracy was coined to describe a process by which the route for a Critical Mass can be decided: anyone who has an opinion makes their own map and distributes it to the cyclists participating in the Mass. Still other rides decide the route by consensus."
Again I don't think palucha's ride is a bad ride.
Its just not a "Critical Mass".
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 1:34 pm
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I think the consensus should take place at the ride start.
That people on the ride can choose which route to follow (or IF to follow a route).
The purpose of a democratically chosen route on Critical Masses that use one has always been for the convenience and safety of the ridazz not to appease the cops.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 1:39 pm
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I think that it's sad that all a bunch of "grown ups" can think of is to criticize a teenager who lead the best LACM in the last nine months...
That said, there is nothing wrong with a predetermined route, and with the police knowing the route.
We actually did keep to the right, as for stopping at all the red lighs, if we keep the ride slow and stop at all the lights both red and green for the entire ride to catch up and ride as one then the police will cork all the red lights for us. They just can't cork once the ride is split up. It's not rocket science. Just keep the ride together.
The only time we rode on the left was in the big tunnel and there was a reason for that; The tunnel was on a descending incline so people were gaining speed and needed to spread out a bit and the next turn which was just after the tunnel was a one way street, it was the perfect opportunity to get the ride together in one big group so the police could cork the red lights which they did, again, they will only cork when the ride is in one large mass.
Girl Power responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 1:46 pm
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"No where in that definition does it say that "routes are pre-draw by a single person, then given in advance to the authorities as a quid-pro-quo to assure they will not falsely arrest people, hand out bullshit tickets, or aggressively break up the ride"."
true but it also does NOT explicitly prohibit that from happening.
"by a popular vote of suggested routes often drawn up on photocopied flyers. "
unless there is like some sort of system where by a "Ouija board" method of multiple hands simultaneously direct a single pencil as it draws a route by consensus of the hands guiding the pencil.... this statement to me means that ONE or MORE individuals draw up their own personal ideas of a route at some point in history prior to the ride and offers it to the public for a vote via duplicated flyers.... in the age of the internet "flyer" has a broader definition than it once did.... but I suppose it could also mean the back of any old photocopied flyer.... well... what if the route is determined in such a manner on the day of minutes before and handed to the LAPD? would that satisfy the definition?
Roadblock responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 1:46 pm
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Actually,
I think it is irrelevant how old Palucha is.
We are a community of adults.
Palucha decided to put himself out there and do something.
He will get both praise and criticism for his actions as any other rida would.
Thats how we treat our peers, we respect them enough to be honest in how we assess their actions.
I assume Palucha only has the best intentions with his actions.
But regardless of his great intentions or even the perceived success of this ride, many looming questions remain about the soul of Crtical Mass.
I think its pretty significant that the longest running public bike ride in Los Angeles has for the first time ever furnished the police with a route (in exchange for a promise to not to cite people) in contradistinction to just about every critical mass ride around the world.
I think its important to consider CM as a global tradition and honestly ask: if this ride is to continue as such should it still be called "Critical Mass"?
Actions have consequences and it is perfectly reasonable to question, critique and discuss actions that affect a public asset such as Critical Mass.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Girl Power
11.28.10 - 8:09 pm
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For one young man, all those years of playing Oregon Trail and reading the "Chicken Soup" series have finally returned a worthy sum.
Tonight on Biography, we will explore the means of which Ed Palucha turned a troublesome event into a night of successful experiences of joy for the two-wheeled masses.
bentstrider11.28.10 - 8:16 pm
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Is it a question of giving them a route or a question of following a route -- and what happens if you don't follow the route?
theroyalacademy responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 8:21 pm
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Wow , never saw this b4. Thanks trick ;)
Ninja biker responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 8:53 pm
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The Assasination should be afterwords.
palucha66 responding to a
comment by bentstrider
11.28.10 - 9:01 pm
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The vote takes place at Wilshire and Western.
Palucha doesn't have to do anything. If people don't want to ride his ride, they can do their own ride. Palucha doesn't own the rights to LACM anymore than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that 90% of the people at Wilshire and Western didn't care that they were on a planned route or that LAPD knew it in advance. Anyone can stand on their soapbox and attempt to sway that crowd of cyclists to do this or that. Those riders that believe LACM should remain an anarchic, leaderless experiment in group thinking ought to come to Wishire and Western and attempt to sway the throngs of kids who just want to ride their bikes with all their friends without getting a ticket.
Last month it was a ticket whine fest. This month it's a witchhunt. The purists will never be satisfied with an LAPD collab. Palucha et al realized this and didn't bother to deal with the shitstorm of criticism from a vocal minority.
And that's OK.
You cannot be mad at the LAPD anymore. As a department, they are doing the right thing. They have accepted that every month bicyclists are going to take over the city and they have taken prudent steps to ensure this happens in the safest possible way.
There will always be individual cops, as well a cyclists, who will do or say something stupid.
Critical Mass has a time and a place. It's a response to an imbalance in justice, rights, access and respect. When LAPD is giving us this much respect, it's foolish to complain that it's not an authentic experience.
Palucha's ride shouldn't be called Critical Mass, anymore than facial tissue shouldn't be called kleenex.
alexdc responding to a
comment by Roadblock
11.28.10 - 9:07 pm
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The "Soul Of Critical Mass?" You realize how silly that sounds, right? Get real. It's a fucking bike ride. No one is getting their arms cut off. This is not Rwanda! We're not in the days of slavery anymore. We're the wealthiest country in the whole world. The poorest of us have more opportunity that 95% of the world's population. And we're blowing all this hot air over a fucking bike ride?
For the most part, this whole community of cyclists is out of touch with what's really important. The fact that you have internet and a computer or iphone to write these rants means you're way more blessed than 99% of the people on this planet. We live on their backs.
Everyone, turn off your computer and take a trip down to skid row right now. Spend a few hours watching what goes on, think long and hard. Then come back to this forum and decide if all this is really that important.
Cycling is one of my favorite things to do, but it's by no means the most important thing in my life.
alexdc responding to a
comment by trickmilla
11.28.10 - 9:14 pm
reply
Unfortunate accident, or cold-blooded crime of political ideology?
Tonight on Cold Case Files, we will venture into the dark circumstances that led to the untimely passing of a young, political hopeful and his dream of motor and non-motor traffic coexisting in a city ripe with corporate over-indulgence.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by palucha66
11.28.10 - 9:15 pm
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You cannot be mad at the LAPD anymore. As a department, they are doing the right thing.
You realize how silly that sounds, right?
Cycling is one of my favorite things to do, but it's by no means the most important thing in my life.
Does it have to be the most important thing in your life in order to care about maintaining certain aspects of it?
md2 responding to a
comment by alexdc
11.28.10 - 9:34 pm
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hahahahahaha!!!!
wtf is it with LACM that it alway has these dumass thinking
"you know what this ride needs? a fabulous leader like me!""
hahahaha first we had 4 nuckle heads that thoght it was a great idea to welcome the pigs on CM. now we got 1 under age cock sucking nuckle head that thinks it a great idea to have a route on the ride! what is next month??????
pacuby is a lieing dick sucker he lied that he was leading the CM that went to venice. he was never at the front. all he did was suck the pigs dick at the parking lot in venice. he did because no one else woud!! hahahahahaha!!!!
fixie4life11.28.10 - 9:40 pm
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What do you think about "The Two Guidelines" that I've been repeating for the last week.
Can you give any feedback to weather or not they have no significance to CM?
Sorry, I'm seriously drilling this shit, because I feel like it's important. Skid row or not.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by alexdc
11.28.10 - 9:42 pm
reply
"You cannot be mad at the LAPD anymore. As a department, they are doing the right thing."
what a joke!!
Gabriel Morales
fixie4life responding to a
comment by md2
11.28.10 - 9:52 pm
reply
I would argue that it was the WORST CM in history, and I was on the BEST CM in history. But it's all matter of opinion.
That said it defeats the purpose to have a route at all, and it is against the principles to let the police know the route, period.
But that is the current state of LACM, and I disapprove - therefore I shall stand aside.
For what it's worth, cars don't have to stay in the right lane, why should bicycles? Motorists are well within their rights to pass on the left. Courtesy dictates that slower traffic should move to the right, which would also be basic principle of the Rules of the Road - not necessarily law. Bicycles have to ride on the right when PRACTICABLE (def: when able to.), but are well within their rights to PASS on the left and when safe they can SPLIT TRAFFIC. The whole "ride in the right lane" is over simplifying the whole point of what I would consider COMMON COURTESY, basically because bicycles are generally SLOWER than cars, it would be in OUR BEST INTEREST to stick to the RIGHT LANE - that is it. The emphasis on "staying to the right" is confusing and for the most part WRONG. If we can't fit in the right lane, we don't "need" to be in the right lane - that is the law.
the reverend dak responding to a
comment by Girl Power
11.28.10 - 10:19 pm
reply
First off, I’d like to say that Palucha did a great job leading the route with or with out the help of the popo. We managed to keep everyone, even the popo’s, in line and heard nothing but great things from newbies. For those of you who didn’t attend I say suck it up and take it as it is. You could’ve been there, you should’ve been there, but were not; so really why are y’all complaining. Please be assured that your comments or opinions will not be taken with a grain of salt. If you didn’t like how the ride turned out, guess what? There is another LACM next month and you can make a change. At the beginning of the ride we congregated & talked about the route but I was not aware the route, which was great, was already known by the cops. Kinda feel betrayed there, but I’m over it, and now I understand why everyone looked at me weird when I said I was taking it to East Los. I didn’t attempt to hijack it (which now I know would’ve of been a failure) because I liked the discussed route and the plan to keep everyone at a steady 10-15mph. As for the route given to the cops beforehand, I think you are all blowing this shit out of proportions. I’d of called my boii Palucha a narc if I didn’t know he wasn’t and what he did was for the sake of LACM. Instead, I applaud his great work. It was probably one of the smoothest LACM’s I’ve seen in the past couple years. You’re all just trying to pick on a young man who’s bright future will definitely be as a great leader. Running from the problem is not the solution. Some of us face the problems straight on and roll with the punches if need to. I don’t like the cops joining us and patrolling us on the ride as well but they can’t beat us (pun intended) so they wanna join us. If we turn our backs to them now they will still be with us but in civilian clothing and will definitely patrol us more and attack us over and over again. If you haven’t noticed, the cops have been knowing the route since the LACM that followed the may attack, so stop trying to bully Palucha. I know this for a fact as I’ve tried hijacking the ride the last two months and somehow after speeding off with a few ridazz the cops force the mass in other directions. While chasing the mass on the back streets I’ve noticed lots of patrolling going on the streets parallel to the ride. Even got chased and almost gaffled for attempting to take the ride “off-course”. It all makes sense now. Oh yeah, for who ever said this is just a bike ride and this is not the most important thing in your life, I am glad for you: get off this fucken thread or this site. Some of us are here to create a community and are fighting for bicyclist rights and civil rights.
MannysCarWash11.29.10 - 2:20 am
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What?
Holy cow.
I thought I was the one supposed to make crazy vitriolic posts.
Anyone who didn't go on LACM is not part of the cycling community anymore? Borfo is not "running from the problem," he is searching for a different solution. LACM is not the only solution. You are not the center of the universe, even if you feel like it.
If you consider every solution other than yours to be "running," well, I don't really know how to finish that thought without being ... eh, myself. ;p
Don't be a jerk!
outerspace responding to a
comment by MannysCarWash
11.29.10 - 12:10 pm
reply
Haha, I'm glad d shoe fit u prick. If I came across as a jerk, well fuck it. That's what happens when u reply to a forum u've been looking at all day at work while not getting paid to work a holliday weekend. Yes I was bitter. Not to downgrade any ones efforts to find an alternate to riding LACM, but just like we don't talk crap such rides, don't come here preaching what u don't practice ur self that's all. U said it space, LACM is not the only solution (I'm guessing to achieving bicyclist rights) but that's not even the topic here. I think u missed the boat on that one. Also, don't come calling me out by name calling & with statements like saying I think I'm "the center of the universe" when u start ur reply with "I thought I was the one suppose to make crazy vitriolic posts". If it's personal, next time u see me riding come hollar at a homie, I never back down.
MannysCarWash responding to a
comment by outerspace
11.29.10 - 11:53 pm
reply
the pigs are going to start crakin heads again. just give them some time. every one was all crazy in love with the PD the first ride they were on. then the love start to leave after they stop corking and giving out all the bs tickets. it started again this last CM. fall in love then have ur heart smashed a few months from now. its how they will show the city they need to be on LACM. if there is no tickets and craked heads then why spend the money to be on the ride? its fuckin espensive having motorcycle cops go down. they need something to show for it.
fixie4life11.30.10 - 12:31 am
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CRITICAL MASS IS DEAD. LONG LIVE ALT TO CRITICAL MASS!
Joe Borfo11.30.10 - 12:40 am
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Followed by "Fool-Time" and "Name That Goon!!", back to back at 11!!!!
bentstrider responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.30.10 - 1:15 am
reply
Thats is the stupidest shit you've ever said.
CM is an organic creature and it is in flux.
It will never die.
To me the point of your LAACM is not that CM is dead its that CM is growing and changing so much we are in need of alternatives to accomidate all the different ridas that want to ride a CM in LA.
Thanks to the cops, we have a LOT of new people riding LACM, we've had more new people in the last 6 months than LACM has seen in maybe the last 2 years... some of the rides i went on this summer were 10x the size of many other LACMs I went on.
All those new people, and the bumbling of the cops have created a lot of complications, but it is up to us in the bike community to harness this energy and keep new and old people interested. It won't be done with a single ride.
LAACM is a good step.
More opportunities to ride will mean more people riding in LA on the last friday of the month.
But it is outlandish to say CM is dead ... and frankly i think its counter productive.
LAACM is a CM.
A CM that has been executed with a certain panache.
This is a great moment for LA
Let's not waste it by foolishly trying to delegitimize each other's efforts.
We'll save that job for the jackwad do-nothings who only know how to destroy but never have time to build anything.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.30.10 - 9:49 am
reply
What if some random rider tipped the police off to Wolfpack Hustle? What if the police decided that WPH needed to be monitored and possibly escorted due to their fast nature and running reds that can endanger citizens.
I know everyone that rides WPH would fight to defend the ride to make sure popo did not interfere.
So why are people giving Palucha a pass on LACM. People should be standing up for the principles of the ride. People like Palucha and Girl Power just want to ride slow and safe, then create a new ride. But if we give up the principles for which we stand then we might as well all sell our bikes and give in to cars.
"They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety" Benjamin Franklin
and with that it will be my last post. Thanks for the fun times. See you on a ride!
Foldie11.30.10 - 10:08 am
reply
Hola amigos,
Me llamo md2. Estoy tomando un curso de español en lĂnea, pero el curso es muy aburrido. ÂżPuedes por favor escribir en español para mĂ?
Gracias y LACM no es bueno.
¡Viva cabrones! el 5 de diciembre.
md2 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.30.10 - 10:21 am
reply
it will be my last post.
¡Aleluya, somos victoriosos!
md2 responding to a
comment by Foldie
11.30.10 - 10:30 am
reply
I am actually in 100% agreement with you with the following exceptions (which comes out to about 90% total).
- I don't think it is necessary to engage in or justify name-calling just because one disagrees with a persons actions.
- Critical Mass is the people who ride Critical Mass. More so than any other ride, since it is owned entirely by the people (past present and future) who ride Critical Mass. It does not mean that an opinion is not valid if the opinion owner has never ridden Critical Mass. But, the opinions of somebody who observes and speculates about a participatory event are not taken as seriously as the opinions of those who actually engage that participatory event. (as opposed to a football game or movie where spectators are non-participatory).
- WPH is an entity that is owned privately and the people who own and attend WPH will protect it for their own interests and to continue to attract their narrow audience. Its not an ideal metaphor for the topic at hand.
- If you think that LACM would be better if it were executed differently, there are tons was ways to work toward making that happen (in addition to sharing information here). We can not assume that a leaderless publicly held asset like LACM will always be what we want it to be or what we expect it to be. Sometimes we have to show up in person and work for it. Lots of people are experimenting and exploring solution ... I guarantee even more will blossom in the wake of last weeks controversy.
I have a hard time believing that your are retiring from MRDC or LACM commentary. I hope I am right. I think our community is strengthened by having a dynamic range of voices.
When I criticized you for calling Palucha a douchebag it obviously had nothing to do with your general position re: LACM which I mostly agree with ... but your tone: you needlessly (and inaccurately) insulted a a hard working and well meaning community member. In addition to not being nice, I think changes the subject at hand to personalities when we should be talking about what we want the rides we go on to look like.
Many people have generally responded to criticism of last weeks LACM as if it is a personal attack on Palucha without addressing the substance of what might be wrong, long term, with the current LACM strategy. I agree with them that Palucha is a valuable community member, that nothing is gained by personally insulting him ... now I want to get down to the real business of understanding the history of Critical Mass and exploring its possible future.
Thats why I called your insult a distraction.
Ride on.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by Foldie
11.30.10 - 11:19 am
reply
What is critical mass?
Critical mass is a reason for you to get out of your grimmy house and go live a little. Sheesh.
^olsko*jr711.30.10 - 11:42 am
reply
Next Month....
CRITICAL SPLASH!!!
The ride that goes to the edge of the pier, then over it into the frigid waters of the Pacific!!
Bring your bathing suits and bikinis, we're gonna do it SnowBird style!!!!
bentstrider11.30.10 - 1:10 pm
reply
I don't post much, but I have been doing these rides since 2007. There is one thing I have learned from doing these rides, stay behind the music and except all rides as it's own experience. No two rides have ever been the same and never look for it to be. With all the different rides, they change as more and more ridazz join the fun. The Rides evolve and become what they are, no going back. So as one ride comes and goes, another is born. There is only one thing we most all acknowledge, we are all "MIDNIGHT RIDAZZ" and should be one happy family..........
Long Live Joe Borfo....
and
Long Live MIDNIGHT RIDAZZ....
Longlivelonghairs responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.30.10 - 2:56 pm
reply
I am really not sure what you're talking about anymore.
outerspace responding to a
comment by MannysCarWash
11.30.10 - 4:21 pm
reply
Anyone seen Foldie?
md2 responding to a
comment by Joe Borfo
11.30.10 - 4:36 pm
reply
Critical Splash!!
sound effect:: (Ka-plaash!!)
I like the sound that....
^olsko*jr7 responding to a
comment by bentstrider
11.30.10 - 4:48 pm
reply
Be sure to also bring re-breathers, dry-suits, and, I will not stress this any softer, extra O2 tanks for decompression stops for the trip back to the surface.
There's going to be an epic, underwater FUNDERSTORM concert held in the hull of the 5th, SeaWolf class submarine that was purposely scuttled during sea trials.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by ^olsko*jr7
11.30.10 - 8:40 pm
reply
If within a given system, one can produce a contradiction, one can then conclude anything.
Two tenets expressed in the video which begins this thread are as follows:
- In Critical Mass, bikes are a part of traffic.
- In Critical Mass, corking is required for the safety unity of the ride.
These tenets contradict each other. Road traffic, while not always perfectly law-abiding, must generally adhere to the rules of the road. Corking violates those rules.
I believe it is this contradiction that is responsible for many of the current issues of LACM being discussed here and elsewhere.
Immanuel Kant11.30.10 - 9:28 pm
reply
Manny Cunt just wrapped it all up in a nutshell.
Joe Borfo responding to a
comment by Immanuel Kant
11.30.10 - 9:53 pm
reply
Space, I don't think u ever did know... Prick, just like that other prick talking about it's just a bike ride, it's not Rwanda, fuck u asshole!!! Let me knock u off ur bike & stomp on ur face a bit let's see if u think ur life is so full of joy!!!
MannysCarWash responding to a
comment by outerspace
12.1.10 - 3:38 am
reply
I am not much good in a fight, so you could beat me up pretty easily. If that's what will make you happy, I guess I can't stop you.
Instead of throwing threats around, could you explain more clearly what you want to say? I would actually like to know. If you're just trolling for a fight I can't really help you.
outerspace responding to a
comment by MannysCarWash
12.1.10 - 4:01 pm
reply
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Ridazz Roulette!
