"You can't be neutral on a moving train"

DOSW
DOSW Posts: 2,014
edited September 2007 in Words and Music...Communication
What does this line mean? I know that Eddie lifted it from a book he read, and I assume it means something about the importance of having a strong viewpoint on political issues, but what is "the moving train?" America? And why can't you be neutral on a moving train?

I don't get it. I mean, I get what it means, but I don't get WHY it means what it means. You know what I mean? :)
It's a town full of losers and I'm pulling out of here to win
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  • 54321
    54321 Posts: 11
    "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train," A Film by Deb Ellis & Denis Mueller
    Featuring Music by Billy Bragg, Woody Guthrie and Eddie Vedder.

    It documents the life and times of Howard Zinn, the historian, activist and author of the best selling classic A People's History of the United States. Featuring rare archival materials, interviews with Howard Zinn as well as colleagues and friends including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker, YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. As Noam Chomsky has said of him, "it is no exaggeration to say he has changed the consciousness of a generation."

    Based on his autobiography.
  • vedderfan10
    vedderfan10 Posts: 2,497
    I think of this line often when I'm facing developers in my community who don't give a crap about my community. As my community is growing so rapidly and our local government is pretty much useless, I'm finding more and more that I need to take a stance on things, even in my non-partisan role as a member of the Advisory Planning Commission and as chair of the Parks &
    recreation commission....

    I'm ALWAYS thinking that you can't be neutral on a moving train...how can you effect/affect change that way?

    Going to have to check out that film and see if I can't learn me something!
    be philanthropic
  • glasshouse
    glasshouse Posts: 1,762
    moving train = transport in transit = moving from one point in time to another.

    "you can't be neutral on a moving train":

    neutral with respect to the destination.

    i mean why get on the fucking train if that's the case? capeesh?
    Athens, Greece: 2006/09/30

    "Call me Ishmael. Some years ago- never mind how long precisely- having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world." Herman Melville : Moby Dick
  • wolfamongwolves
    wolfamongwolves Posts: 2,414
    very simple - don't sit on the fence with important issues that affect you and that you can have an effect on.
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  • decides2dream
    decides2dream Posts: 14,977
    glasshouse wrote:
    moving train = transport in transit = moving from one point in time to another.

    "you can't be neutral on a moving train":

    neutral with respect to the destination.

    i mean why get on the fucking train if that's the case? capeesh?


    exactly. well stated. i think a very literal translation for a quite good metaphor. stating it as it 'is'...and then one can take it beyond that, to once things are in motion...you can no longer just sit idly by, you must take a stand, cannot remain neutral. and beyond that...just simply saying to take action! the world IS in motion...our government, our politics, the whole world....so don't be neutral, act on the things you believe in, and counteract those you are against....get active!
    Stay with me...
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  • Coming back to life
    Coming back to life Posts: 401
    I think it means you're not GOING to be neutral. You'll either let something happen or you'll try to stop it. But there is no neither.
    A restaurant with a smoking section is like a swimming pool with a pissing section
  • prism
    prism Posts: 2,440
    54321 wrote:
    "You Can't Be Neutral on a Moving Train," A Film by Deb Ellis & Denis Mueller
    Featuring Music by Billy Bragg, Woody Guthrie and Eddie Vedder.

    It documents the life and times of Howard Zinn, the historian, activist and author of the best selling classic A People's History of the United States. Featuring rare archival materials, interviews with Howard Zinn as well as colleagues and friends including Noam Chomsky, Marian Wright Edelman, Daniel Ellsberg, Tom Hayden and Alice Walker, YOU CAN'T BE NEUTRAL captures the essence of this activist and thinker who has been a catalyst for progressive change for more than 60 years. As Noam Chomsky has said of him, "it is no exaggeration to say he has changed the consciousness of a generation."

    it's also the name of Howard Zinn's autobiography.....a great book
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