By Edward Nawotka

The Occupy Movement and self-publishing share several traits in common. The two movements both took off and gained popularity last year, largely on a wave of feelings of disenfranchisement from the perceived-to-be elite.

Both movements were predicated on the belief that the system was not only broken, but deliberately suppressing the majority in order to elevate the majority.

Both movements feel that the the game is rigged, the deck is stacked against them, or whatever cliche comes to mind that describes a severe imbalance of power — and they’re determined to rectify the situation.

Unfortunately, the Occupy Movement appears to have lost momentum and is on the verge of becoming a lost cause. Meanwhile, self-publishing is going from strength to strength and gaining more and more advocates as time progresses.

Is there some lesson the Occupy Movement can learn from self-publishing that will help it sustain itself?

We’re I to suggest a few ideas, the first would be the lesson of resilience. After all, how many self-publishers faced rejection time and time again before taking matters into their own hands? Plenty…at first. Now, it’s now the first option for many, rather than a last resort. And there may be a lesson in that as well. Rather than standing in opposition, the Occupy Movement would do well to communicate what it is in favor of, what it supports. In that way, it can become a “first option” for the politically motivated.

Taking the power of self-definition into one’s own hands is, in large part, what embracing the moniker of self-publisher is becoming — especially as the anger, resentment and opposition towards the traditional publishers fades as the DIY publishers find success on their own terms.

Let us know what you think in the comments.