Your statement is not only false, it's nonsensical.

Not seeing it myself, its a problem or its an opportunity. They can see you but you also get to see them. It can make you less safe or make you safe against oppression. You can record the oppression get it into the hands of journalists, etc. Mandatory police bodycams have done wonders for accountability.

"It's a choice to feel like a slave/victim/etc" is a phrase born from legitimate psychological advice, but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude" (sounds like, "Just give up. It's inevitable, and you'll be happier.")

I think it's a fair comment in this case, given that the discussion is essentially about civil disobedience.

In other words, I think it's worth mentioning that the (former) slaves who took the underground railroad were breaking the law by doing so.

True, but that's not what "feel like a slave" means as an English phrase - i.e. the phrase does not mean, "feel like you're resisting like a slave", it's "feel like you're helpless like a slave". It's an insult meant to make you accept your conditions, not fight against them.

I'm the person who said it, and I explained what I meant. Don't put words in my mouth.

I'm speaking from the perspective of an American worker. I feel that the relationship between capital and labor in the United States remains linked to slavery, even 150+ years after its formal abolition here.

I'm referring to the phrase Quarrelsome used ("[it's a choice] to feel like a slave"), not your original usage.

My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them.

> My criticism of Quarrelsome is that, in my opinion, "It's your choice to be a slave" means "resist"; while "it's your choice to feel like a slave" means "accept it". I felt you were being too charitable to them.

That was my initial reaction too, I was just choosing to be charitable

> but now is used 90% of the time as a "devil's platitude" (sounds like, "Just give up. It's inevitable, and you'll be happier.")

and that's exactly the attitude I'm complaining about. You're reading it as oppression when you could also read it as opportunity.

Imagine ICE doing what they did this year without mobile tech to organise against it. Forcing the police to wear bodycams is probably one of the best things that has ever happened.

If I were a temporarily embarrassed billionaire I would agree

> imho its a choice to feel like a slave.

Frankly, the reason I feel like a slave is that I have no agency over this perpetual surveillance.

If you're saying that the people breaking the law and smashing the cameras are choosing not to be slaves then fair enough, tbh. I guess I'm choosing to stay a slave :/