You reclaimed the streets for a few hours. So f'n what? Next day the capitalists are still there, the masses remain consumer drones, and it is as if you were never there at all.

Your shouts of protest fall on deaf ears. The politicians and corporate bosses aren't listening, and they are powerful enough to stamp and resistance out if it gets too dangerous to them. Might as well face up to the truth that capitilism is here to stay, so lets make the best out of a bad bunch.

Resistance is futile.

Well done on a sucessful CM.
Capitalism may well be continuing while you were there or not but at least it will cause a few, (out of the many effected by your group action) to consider why you felt the need to disrupt traffic. Even to join in future actions.
CM is also a good social event for those not sure about how to demonstrate their right to protest, don't even need a bike.

The world is full of them. The vast majority of people stuck in traffic will probably just be thinking along the lines of "bloody hippies", or "(insert derogatory insult at protesters here)", and why haven't the authorites not gotten round to ASBOing them out of existence. These people make up the general majority of this country's population, the number of people wanting to "reclaim the streets" are pretty much in the minority.

Face it, if people really were going to join your cause they would have already done it, if these critical mass demos started getting people to think the way you want them to think (rather than go all reactionary on your arse) and then join your cause, they would have so many people involved that it would soon get widespread notice outside of your little activist cliques. As it stands people wanting to involve themselves on these things remain a tiny fraction of the population, and as I said previously, it's buisness as usual the next day, and there isn't anything you can do about it.

This is why I have jacked it in. Had enough of banging my head against a proverbial brick wall.

If you were REALLY an "ex-activist" who's "had enough" of all this futile resistance and gone off to enjoy yourself in whatever way you see fit, would you really still be wasting your time hanging around South Coast IMC slagging off other people's actions?

"There isn't anything you can do about it".

Yes, that's right. Nothing to see here. Go back to your homes.

Sounds a rather familiar line.

Hmmmm........

"If you were REALLY an "ex-activist" who's "had enough" of all this futile resistance and gone off to enjoy yourself in whatever way you see fit, would you really still be wasting your time hanging around South Coast IMC slagging off other people's actions?"

Well, I saw this on the UK page which includes posts from all the local UK based IMC's (expect Bristol which has its own page), actually. Nowt wrong with keeping in touch with the news that I would hear from corporate sources, is there? Mebbe I just wanted to be controversial just in case the counter argument may have inspired me to believe anything other than that resistance is futile (which it hasn't). But thanks for the advice. I'll waste my time here no more.

"would read in the corporate press" should read "wouldn't read in the corporate press", obviously.

Well ex-activist.
Having went along to a few successful CM rides the feeling from being in a large (ish) group of riders and feeling safe from the traffic, having a chat to people i don't know, generally socialising/getting to know people with similar interests etc?... Is a very fulfilling and generally leaves myself (and friends) with a good outlook to the future. Knowing that people can still see that there is a point to actions of this kind, e.g. getting people together and helping each other.
I haven't participated in any CM rides because i either wanted to change drivers attitudes to other road users, (don't think thats why CM exists) or because i wanted to annoy car drivers (although obviously this is the case)...but for the reasons stated. Namely being in a group where everyone shares common interests or goals and are all working together to achieve those goals.
If you have decided that its all pointless and have given up, then that is your choice...myself i still like the choice to protest against things that i believe to be wrong/unsafe/unfair...