The partisan initiative Cain’s Offspring takes to task the emerging (and certainly necessary) project IT IS NECESSARY TO TALK, which offers anti-regime Russians simple guides on how to talk to loved ones who have become victims of propaganda, or who simply support the war.

There is emotional politics. Emotionally, we all want our colleagues, friends, children, and spouses (if we have them) – and grandparents to see what we see: that the regime is tyrannical, the country is in chaos, a war is raging in a neighboring state, and CHANGE IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER.

But does it work? If your friend shares your views, will it reduce the number of repressions? Will there be less torture if your son agrees with you? Imagine that your dying father, suffering from illness, suddenly says in his final days that he is disappointed in Putin and hates Channel One. In your heart, you will rejoice in victory because you were finally heard. WILL THAT END THE WAR?

There is one effective policy. A policy that is hard to ignore. A policy that has concrete results. Policies that destroy torture chambers. A policy that stops wars. A policy that makes the news. A policy that hangs the tyrant. A policy that ignites hearts and leads TO REVOLUTION.

Are you filled with rage at the unbearable cruelty of another patriotic speech, personal or mass, always bordering on fascism? I understand you. And I am here to remind you: there is no point in arguing with a patriot, even if you succeed. You give much more to Russia by saving a life than by changing someone’s mind. Spend the same energy you wanted to spend on “practicing war conversation techniques” on at least semi-safe activism, and instead of chattering, CHANGE SOMETHING.

We are still focusing on spreading anti-war views rather than actual resistance against the war itself. Is our own sanctity truly more important to us? When the war ends, the world will ask us what we did for it. And we will be able to answer only one of two things: Whether we knew from the beginning how terrible it was, or whether we ended the war. TODAY WE CHOOSE THE ANSWER.

It is night outside now. Morning will not come unless we make it. If you are only capable of talking, then by all means talk. But if you are capable of action, then by all means act. And the morning will surely come.