Resuming, with a change in direction
Andrew Lichterman
After a long hiatus, we are back. I was somewhat skeptical from the outset of the blogging phenomenon, which often seems to have the capacity to generate far more heat than light. This blog was conceived initially as an experiment with two main purposes: to encourage in-depth reflection and discussion about disarmament strategies, and particularly the role of social movements, and to provide a forum for perspectives on disarmament-related issues that are unlikely to be seen in mainstream outlets.
The experiment had mixed outcomes. It did not have much success, so far as we can tell, in its efforts to encourage more extensive discussion about social movement strategies. Where it did capture attention, it did so in the same manner as other blogs– by adding a tidbit here and there to issues already present in the mainstream news frame (for example, the controversy over the proposed “Divine Strake” test, which would have simulated a low-yield nuclear blast using several hundred tons of conventional explosives).
And perhaps that is the best use of this ephemeral medium– to provide a slightly alternative channel for those who want it, sifting and sorting the daily deluge of electronic “information” to suit some potential audience. We will resume in that vein for the moment, while thinking about whether we might find some useful way to return to broader themes.
For a start, we will be adding a new contributor, Michael Veiluva, a long-time San Francisco Bay Area anti-nuclear activist and counsel to the Western States Legal Foundation. He has been providing a useful (and irreverent) daily aggregation of stories and links related to the U.S.-Iran confrontation. It has been distributed previously via e-mail, and now will appear here as well.
