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I care less about whether self-immolation was an effective tactic or not. I'm far more concerned about the chilling effect, one that stifles action, as a result of ten-thousand naysayers who pop out of the woodwork to sneer at everything that everyone does as being imperfectly virtuous or effective, especially when they take bold action full of risk and self-sacrifice.

Do you want people to take action? Do you want them to feel that whatever retribution is levied against them by fascists, the State, the establishment were worth it?

Then we need to let them know that others will take up after them, that their actions are seen and heard. Or as Lorenzo Orsetti said a letter to be published on his death: And remember always that “every storm begins with a single raindrop.” You must be that raindrop.

We want a world where people are encouraged to be that drop, not dissuaded. It might mean cutting out those who poison the waters, but that is a tedious task, and there are many of them. It might also mean affirming support for those who take action, but maybe most importantly following through after them.