agoutirex:

This topic must be very important to you since you can’t be bothered to actually research it yourself but instead base your opinion on which side more effectively knob gobbles for your favor.

Clearly, you should have done your research on whether or not I did my research!

But seriously though, the whole idea of “do your own research!” always bothers me. It works off the assumption that one conclusion is so well-supported that anyone who looks for evidence will believe it, ignoring the fact that for a conflict to even exist, there has to be something drawing people to the counter position. Even with something like the anti-vaccine movement, there is (falsified) evidence in support of their claims, and a certain number of people seeking answers on their own will encounter this, and believe it.

To insist people do their own research does nothing other than void the activist of any responsibility they have for the health of their social causes. If someone does their own research and comes to a conclusion you disagree with, it’s suddenly their fault for not having the experiences, time, or ability that let you come to your superior and informed position, rather than your fault for doing nothing to help your cause. It is the epitome of the attitude held by people who want to be special, not make a difference.

What I’m looking for in an activism group, movement, or revolt is the presence (or, ideally, prevalence) of mindsets other than that. I want a strong contingent people who take control of problems and responsibility for their failings in adequately addressing them, not elitists who act as though others have a moral responsibility to agree with them.

The ideals I support are not in question here; both sides are claiming to serve my interests. What I want is evidence as to which is doing more, and which is simply upset.