If not this, what? If not now, when?

I think it was Time magazine which used this title on the front page as an argument for sanctions against South Africa during the heydays of apartheid in the eighties. They had other better arguments in the magazine itself. Luckily. Because the title on its own is one of the worst ones I have ever seen.

The argument works equally well for almost anything.

Let's assume that an asteroid is charging against the earth threatening to extinguish all life.

• I suggest that we organise a public demonstration against the asteroid. If not this, what? Do you have any other proposal? OK. Then a demonstration it is.


• I suggest that we complain at Microsoft's helpdesk about the asteroid. If not this, what? Do you have any other proposal? OK. Then Microsoft's helpdesk it is.


• I suggest that we pray, that we burn witches, that we launch a military attack against a foreign country, that we clap our hands and brush our teeth, that we throw away our old socks, that we order red wine to fish, that we buy a new car. Do you have any other proposal? But we have to do something. We cannot just remain passive and see that asteroid smash into us. If not this, what?
  

The catch phrase "If not this, what?" is a way to pretend a displacement activity is backed up by logic.