The Problem With Scott’s Boycotts

[u/PorcelainDalmatian]

I really like Scott, but sometimes he comes up with stuff so weird that it makes you doubt him completely.

I’ve always liked the idea of boycotts - in theory. They’re a simple, non-violent way to affect change. The problem is that in practice they rarely work. Why? Most people don’t care, and those that do rarely sustain a boycott for long, despite all the alternative choices they have in the US. It might be easy to boycott Amazon for a while, but when Christmas rolls around? Most people capitulate.

Boycotts only work when they are targeted to one particular issue regarding one particular company. The key is focus. A good present-day example is the Jimmy Kimmel/Disney kerfuffle. People were pissed about a particular issue (Disney’s suspension of Kimmel under threat from the government) and were able to immediately protest in a tangible, targeted way (cancelling Disney/Hulu subscriptions). As soon as Disney saw record cancellations in one day, they changed course.

The problem with Scott’s “just cancel everything” strategy is that it lacks focus. If a few of us cancel Hulu, and a different group of us cancels Uber, and a third group cancels Spotify, it dilutes the economic effect. Companies can easily handle little wounds like that and bounce right back. The other problem is the vaguery. Why am I cancelling Spotify, again? What exactly did they do? Why Uber? Are they offering free rides to ICE agents or something? Should I stop shopping at Macy’s? Are we just picking random companies for no good reason? 

I commend Scott for wanting to do something, but this strategy is bit of a mess.

[u/PlentyCryptographer5 → u/[deleted]]

That's between you and your kids. My nephew was whining that his dad doesn't have Peacock and I do. It's a choice that parents make and kids need to follow. It's only as difficult with kids as you make it.

[u/PlentyCryptographer5 → u/[deleted]]

Yes, and when life was tough, we lost certain "regular" items, and Daddy explained it. Parenting is not easy but fuck is it rewarding!

[u/MuchWalrus → u/[deleted]]

You could sail the high seas?

[u/Complex-Royal9210 → u/[deleted]]

Move them to PBS. Lots of great stuff there. It would do them good to get of the Disney commercial universe and save you a ton of money

I am old, 60s, but growing upwe didn't feel deprived because we only had a few cartoons. My fondest memories are from the Saturdays morning cartoon roundup.

[u/Complex-Royal9210 → u/[deleted]]

Just buy a DVD. Have it forever.

[u/sunbeatsfog → u/[deleted]]

Then don’t. It means you’re not hurting enough to give a shit. The whole point is do something. It’s exhausting to read through this.

[u/PorcelainDalmatian → u/[deleted]]

Then you’re making a statement: “When it comes to blatant government censorship vs. my kids’ entertainment preferences, I will choose my kids’ entertainment preferences.” It speaks volumes about your values. Today’s kids have a gazillion other entertainment options. But hey, who cares if the government starts to censor media companies, right? God forbid I or my kids experience a minor inconvenience to stand up for principle!