Do Tree-Huggers Really Fling Poo?

  • Thread starter Thread starter russ_watters
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Tree
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of protesters, referred to as "tree-huggers," who are reportedly engaging in extreme actions, including flinging excrement, during a protest at a university. Participants express a range of opinions on the appropriateness of their actions, the motivations behind the protest, and the characterization of the protesters.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants reference an article describing protesters flinging excrement, suggesting this behavior is unacceptable and indicative of a broader issue with the protest.
  • Others argue that the area being protested is not a natural environment but a landscaped area, questioning the legitimacy of the protest.
  • There are suggestions for extreme measures against the protesters, including "ringing" the trees to kill them or forcibly removing the protesters by police.
  • Some participants label the protesters as "hippies," with differing opinions on whether this term is appropriate or a generalization.
  • A few participants express a degree of admiration for the protesters' commitment, despite disagreeing with their methods or beliefs.
  • There are humorous suggestions about enclosing the protesters and charging admission, reflecting a mix of ridicule and critique.
  • Concerns are raised about the protesters' mental state and motivations, with some suggesting they may be avoiding drug tests.
  • One participant notes the potential for a humorous headline involving "beer-guzzling Republicans" in contrast to the protesters, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the characterization of the protesters or the appropriateness of their actions. Multiple competing views remain, with some participants defending the protesters' commitment while others condemn their behavior.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions about the motivations of the protesters and the nature of the area being protested. The discussion reflects a mix of serious critique and humor, with varying degrees of emotional response from participants.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in social protests, environmental activism, or the dynamics of public dissent may find this discussion relevant.

Physics news on Phys.org
HAHAHAHAHAAAA! Holy ****! Just goes to show that their are psychos all across the board...

I mean really, that's just unacceptable behavior for any human being.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
They aren't even trying to protect something natural. It's a LANDSCAPED area planted in the 1920's by the university, according to the article. Berkeley sure has plenty of nuts in their trees.

They should just start cutting down the trees around them. When they're all in the last tree standing, see how much their protest is really worth.

Though, now that they're flinging excrement, I think they could be forcibly removed by police...that seems to qualify as assault now, not just a protest.
 
the university should just 'ring'* the trees---it takes about 10 minutes per tree (the tree will die in less than a month)---

*ringing the tree--cutting a complete shallow circle/ring through the bark into the heartwood completely around the trunk
 
I think the current plan is to cordon the area off, then arrest them when they come down for food and water.
 
Hippies? :smile: Russ, is everyone who you disagree with a hippie? They may be the grandchildren of hippies.
 
Last edited:
Ivan Seeking said:
Hippies? :smile: Russ, is everyone who you disagree with a hippie?
No, mostly just the hippies.

Since you aren't a hippie, though, you really shouldn't take offense to that, Ivan...
 
I take offense to your constant generalizations. You can't put people in a little box with a label. And I seriously doubt that these people are counter-culture. In fact they are trying to work within the system, no matter how silly might be their position, or offensive their actions. Hiippies believed in dropping out of society.
 
  • #10
Aww, c'mon, people who have been living in a tree for two years as part of a protest probably count as hippies. Making a career out of protests is pretty qualifying for that label in this day and age.
 
  • #11
That is a generalization. They are kids. Kids are often do stupid things.

Tree-hugging hippies is the terminology used to discredit the environmental movement. And if it wasn't for mindless Rovian rhetoric like this, we likely wouldn't be facing an oil crisis today.
 
Last edited:
  • #12
Ivan Seeking said:
That is a generalization. They are kids. Kids are often do stupid things.

Tree-hugging hippies is the terminology used to discredit the environmental movement. And if it wasn't for mindless Rovian rhetoric like this, we likely wouldn't be facing an oil crisis today.

Meh, I don't agree with that. Calling it mindless Rovian rhetoric is more a generalization than calling some kids literally hugging a tree tree huggers. They don't sound like kids anyway, they sound like adult criminals disrupting progress who belong behind bars.
 
  • #13
Ivan, since you aren't and have never been one, I can't imagine why this would upset you so much.

In any case, while I'm reasonably certain that most people would agree that these people are hippies, neo-hippies, hippie wannabees, hippie hangers-on, or whatever [edit: we don't actually know how old these people are: they may actually be people who were part of the hippie movement in 1968], discussing the ins and outs of how you define a hippie wasn't really the purpose of this thread. This thread is simply about making fun of literal poo-flinging tree-huggers.

You do agree that poo-flinging isn't a reasonable/valid form of protest, right?
 
Last edited:
  • #14
What...the...hell.... These nutjobs should be put behind bars.
 
  • #15
wolram said:
That just is not a human thing, as such they should be caught and put in a zoo.

Beat me to it - I was going to suggest putting a fence around them and charging a fee.
 
  • #16
mgb_phys said:
Beat me to it - I was going to suggest putting a fence around them and charging a fee.

better make it a plexiglass enclosure.
 
  • #17
Math Is Hard said:
better make it a plexiglass enclosure.

So then they could say they are creating art? :wink:
 
  • #18
Jesus, I love Berkeley. As a USC fan, I love even more that these idiots are wrecking the university's chances of building a consistently great football program, which they really are on the verge of if not for having horrible facilities, including a badly earthquake damaged stadium, which is what these protesters are keeping from being renovated.
 
  • #19
russ_watters said:
No, mostly just the hippies.

Since you aren't a hippie, though, you really shouldn't take offense to that, Ivan...

In that case I guess I can take offense.

If someone you disagreed with were to post such a stereotypical derisive title you would ban them.

Why not just call it as it is... Ignorant protesters fling poo.

Any way, how do you know that they are not beer guzzling Republicans?
 
  • #20
Apparently, according the story, they are experiencing wild mood swings lately and it appears that they are trying to avoid a urine test as well... definitely hippies!

...protesters declined to yield their urine.

Edit: I think if they were beer-guzzling Republicans they would be yielding their urine all over the place!
 
Last edited:
  • #21
and (as far as the 'flinging') it depends on what they've been eating lately, whether you could consider it 'assault with a deadly weapon'


-------------

If only their mothers could see them now
 
Last edited:
  • #22
GeorginaS said:
So then they could say they are creating art? :wink:

NO! Don't do that. There is probably some law against destroying art.
 
  • #23
18 months fighting for something that won't result in any personal financial gain (unless I missed something).

Agree or disagree with their ideas, beliefs or methods, but that level of determination, resolve and commitment is commendable...
 
  • #24
Integral said:
Any way, how do you know that they are not beer guzzling Republicans?

Beer Guzzling Republicans Hold Berkeley Trees Hostage: Demand Stadium Supported by Corporate Sponsors, not Taxpayers.

It would make for a humorous headline, but I think the beer guzzling Republicans would more likely be in favor of building a new stadium rather than saving landscaping, unless there was hunting allowed there (being Berkeley, I think that's pretty unlikely).
 
  • #25
Re: Tree Hugging Hippies Fling Poo

GeorginaS said:
So then they could say they are creating art? :wink:

Artsy Fartsy
 
  • #26
In my opinion, it is really, really sad. I can think of a lot better causes to spend a year or more of your life living in misery for. Maybe I should go down there tomorrow and tell them that.
 
  • #27
Where is a mild earthquake to make them fall to their deaths when you need one? Stupid HIPPIES, blah that's beyond disgusting!
 
  • #28
rewebster said:
Re: Tree Hugging Hippies Fling Poo



Artsy Fartsy

HAHA! Priceless.
 

Similar threads

News Burma Turning to Forced-Labor for Reconstruction
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
5K
News Did Scott Brown's Win Signal a Shift in American Political Landscape?
  • · Replies 65 ·
3
Replies
65
Views
9K
Product to prevent car hyperthermia
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
5K
News What do Cape Wind and Nuclear Power Have in Common?
  • · Replies 56 ·
2
Replies
56
Views
9K
News Is Privatizing Social Security Really the Solution?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
8K
News Is USA Today Misrepresenting Economic Data on Young Americans' Incomes?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
News Should America Create An Infrastructure Bank?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
5K
Why do so many people hate science?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
12K
Graduate PDE: Between Physics and Mathematics
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Three new books to read about expertise vs. democracy
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K