I swear I'm not trying to be offensive here, but I am trying to understand.
Ok... Beyond signaling a tribal affiliation with party, what do things like Campaign hats and stickers accomplish? What do people hope accomplish by wearing them?
I've got bumper stickers and stuff just to tell the world a little bit what I like, or like with the 7 pointed star send a signal to other otherkin. We're a small community so I figure, fly a flag and find an ally.
Is it like that?
@NiveusLepus before OJ, it was a random bumper sticker and occasional yard sign regardless of party affiliation. OJ tapped into the monetizing, and purposely or not, created a Cult.
I would say it is like how you describe except it was very rare to see the level marketing, much leas on such a wide scale.
Yep, in part.
There are studies that show that lawns signs can affect voting by 1-2%. Could be something like that, too.
@arthurpendragon I think you give the average lawn sign user too much credit into the psychology of it. Lol—and I appreciate learning that tod bit of information!
@NiveusLepus
It's not very much, I suppose, except in close races. But I've actually had two people tell me that they had only paid attention to one race/issue. When faced with a race/issue they didn't know, they said, "Oh, I've seen that name/opinion a lot, so I'll vote that one." So it worked on two people.
Not very many at all, I admit.
@arthurpendragon that’s impressive and scary to me that people are voting on issues in a certain direction bc a sign said yeh or neh. It explains a lot I guess lol
@Thumprhare @NiveusLepus
Yep, me, too.
Explained that you don't have to vote for everything. You can turn in an incomplete ballot and it will still be counted. Ya' know--partial credit like in school
@NiveusLepus I think it's tribal in the same way that people wear sports merch. Solidarity with other people who support the same team. In the same way that a Lakers fan doesn't see a Bulls hat and switch teams, I don't think political merch does anything to change minds either. It's about identity.
It's also curiously American.
I've *never* seen a Brit on the street wearing a hat saying "I vote Tory" or "Labour 2024". Even campaign staff.
@NiveusLepus it creates a social norm of supporting the group/cause, which makes it easier for others to do the same thing. Peer pressure and a signal that others are thinking this way and maybe you should/could too.
@NiveusLepus the campaign stuff is different than what you are doing, in my opinion.
I can only answer kind of the inverse of your question, as I cringe at wearing, bearing, driving, inhabiting, anything displaying labels or affiliations.
I'm never comfortable being pigeonholed into such over-simple pigeonholes.
Also, I've noticed that when I am unlabeled, unflagged, people from whatever tribe often just assume I am one of them :)
@ceorl I will use fairly cryptic symbols. Like the 7 pointed star. It could mean anything but for Otherkin and Therian's its always been a way that we can recognize each other. I have two tattoed on me, and one on my truck. ^_^
@NiveusLepus I've got various decals on my car, written in a font used only in Star Wars, and readable only by fairly hardcore fans of Star Wars. @ceorl
@NiveusLepus IMHO, a bit like that. For some they hope to spur a conversation where minds can be changed. Tribal allegiance as well.
@NiveusLepus it's advertising.
@NiveusLepus I think it's trying to activate the ... oh hell, what is it called, the advertisement strategy where you say "all of these people enjoy it, you should too!" Perhaps if enough people are all wearing the same hats, that might convince others to join them.
.... bandwagon, that's the word.
https://www.wordstream.com/blog/bandwagon-advertising
@NiveusLepus I do it to oppose Trump supporters and show that it isn't just chinese bots opposing them like they claim. That there are people in their community who are not ok with the corruption and hate. And it shows some others that feel alone that they are not alone.
@AnnetteTRemain Those are all groovy reasons. ^_^ That's quite noble! You're a rad and groovy soul!
@NiveusLepus An old black man spoke up in a forum filled with neonazis. He's the rad and groovy soul. He and others should not be standing up alone.
@NiveusLepus
It creates "buzz." The majority of people think politics is boring, or something you don't bring up in polite conversation. Seeing yard signs signifies that your neighbors think the election is interesting and important. They may not sway you, but they may lead you to pay more attention when political issues are discussed in the media, and they may make you more likely to take the time to vote.
@NiveusLepus
I've had a fairly interesting experience this year with a yard sign. I don't do signs, bumper stickers, logos, but this election (as was 2020) is too important not to make SOME statement.
I am an Army vet, so I got the "Veterans and Military Families for Harris- Walz" sign.
@NiveusLepus
I feel this one sends an important signal to our neighbors. For decades, Republicans had the presumed support of service members and vets. This is changing as this population is more aware of how Republicans really don't give a f*ck about you once you lay down your arms.
Neighbors we've lived across the street from for 15 years, and have never really socialized with, put a 
sign up with a sign for Kerri Lake (hurl), and one for a local R, two days before my sign arrived.
@NiveusLepus
They never had a political sign in their yard in the whole time we've been across the street.
We live at the corner, so everyone on our street passes our houses.
A few days after our sign went up, we had a neighbor thank us for putting it up. Then another, and another. We're up to six or seven thanks and acknowledgments.
@NiveusLepus
My sense is that with this election, especially in Arizona, which is gradually shifting blue, people on our side really are looking for solidarity, and I've come to see it's important, and in our case, a pretty simple way to make progress toward that end.
@1000dannyboy Thank you for taking the time to give me such a thoughtful answer.
This election does indeed feel different, even from the one in 2020. There's a feeling of stakes here, and there are some on the right that are making very frightening "us vs them" noises.
I can totally understand solidarity.
@1000dannyboy I'm visiting my parents in Texas and Trump flags are everywhere. On my way into the gym today I saw a car with a trump sticker on it, and I admit it was like a red flag in my subconscious.
I know there's lots of people that either desipise or out right hate me here, but this is the first time I've been to Texas and felt like I'm behind enemy lines.
Today I found out Texas DPS is not only going to revert gender markers AND names on licenses, but they're also making a registry.
@1000dannyboy THat's how these things always start to go bad. When I got the link, and saw the internal letters, it made my stomach tight.
Here it is if you want to read it. https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/texas-dps-may-begin-reverting-trans
@NiveusLepus
A registry. Ah, Jeez! I'm sorry for the feelings this creates in you.
Your experience captures the awful reality of so much close-mindedness and bigotry in the world.
At a time when our society is making strides toward seeing each other simply as neighbors, has bolstered self-serving, small-minded haters.
I am cautiously optimistic, but hurdles have been thrown up that will cause change to take longer than it needs to.
Stay strong while you're in TX!
Thank you all for being so receptive to this question and for understanding that I meant nothing by it. Ya'll are rad!
I know Coso is a safe place, but I have very large hindpaws and don't want to hop on toes.