NO2ID

Two of my closest friends immediately took the "No2id Pledge" when I explained to them what the ID cards scheme was, but no one else seems to be even slightly interested. When I show them the site and explain what it is they seem to take a quick look then give me a kind of "that's interesting, but not interesting enough for me to do anything" reply. This is very dissapointing! I've come to realise that the majority of the population are only concerned with their day to day lives and not very ready to do anything about wider issues.

I'm sure other people have had this problem - has anyone got any tips for me on how to get them interested enough to join the campaign, or at least the mailing list?

Thanks a lot,

Ewan

Persistence - not in the sense of pestering but of steadiness. If people you know realise you are sensible, but you do put time into pursuing the issue by means they are aware of (such as a local group, wearing a NO2ID badge or T-shirt on appropriate occasions, correspondence in local media and so on) - then they'll take the question just a little more seriously and be a little more prepared when it comes up again.

We don't need riots in the streets to stop the scheme. All we need is for it to be a socially unacceptable position to support it, and entirely respectable to campaign against to the point of civil disobedience.

The deeper project is to educate people to spot the "database state" method in action, to question government data-collection and -sharing of all kinds, and always to ask, "Isn't there a better way of doing this than collecting individual details and reporting them to a central bureaucracy?" There always is.

The title of your post gives a big hint. If they perceive campaigners as weirdos (and most of the public do) then you need to:
1. Act utterly normal.
2. Make campaigning seem utterly normal.

A couple of suggestions:
a) Go to a local NO2ID meeting. Befriend anyone who would fit in with your friends. Invite them out for a drink with your friends.
b) Invite all your friends round. Persuade them they want to watch a DVD and then tell them you've got Gattaca out. Children of Men or Brazil are also good but the campaigners get seriously persecuted.