Occupy wall street's sources of creativity

This paper is based upon an ongoing investigation, through participant observation, of sources of creativity mobilized by the occupiers of Liberty Plaza/Zuccotti Park. My paper will draw on near-daily visits, observations, and conversations, including those of my research partner, Michael-Gould Wartofsky. We observe three modes of practice (among others) that have rarely been taken together in social movement studies:  that of theoretical or imaginative practice, that of metaphorical or analogical practice, and that of tactical or strategic, i.e., “practical” practice.   

All three modes of practice, of course, are mediated through and through by narrative, embodiment, and our own situation/position as participant-observers, and we have sought to remain reflexive throughout. We present our findings in three parts, corresponding to these three modes of practice:  First, we examine specific folk theories and social imaginaries as mobilized by participants to explain how social change is/ought to be wrought—from financial reform to social revolution, “99-percenter” democracy to “anti-oppression” politics.  Second, we inquire into the ways in which theories and imaginaries are expressed and embedded in particular models, memes, and metaphors of the occupation, e.g., “Occupy ____,” the “People’s Mic,” and the “American Autumn.”  Third, we trace some of the ways in which folk theories and social imaginaries are translated, mobilized and demobilized, institutionalized and contested in everyday practices, as observed in general assemblies, working groups, and actions.