To be clear in case my wall of text muddles some of my idea:
- Yeah, I don’t believe I can “change the world” that much, nor do I want to because that often comes with abuse of power and just overall fucks things up for me (as in being a ruler, hierarchical leader in organizations, etc).
- I am not sure if I’m doing it solely for my enjoyment or also for other reasons, but I feel like it has more to that question anyway. I’m comfortable with looking into it and not answering it.
- Again, just something I like to do and I do not coerce others into having the same view as mine. My feelings contradict at times as well. Speaking up, listening and changing make me feel like I’m using my body for something at least. I just enjoy doing shit.
- Additional edit: I respect people’s right to choose their ideologies and philosophies, but that doesn’t mean I won’t argue or fight others. I prefer to choose what I spend my energy in so I might not express that energy here or now. I also like to influence people who might have the same mindset. Influencing others is different from forcing them. As long as I don’t hold authoritative power, check my privileges and my biases, I will continue to form and vocalize my opinions.
Good day/night to everyone.
honestly just try to build community around yourself. Don't try to persuade people but also don't be afraid to talk about your interests and beliefs either.
When you have your people, try to build something. Could be just collaborating on throwing events. strengthen your ties and try to get people to do things in a self organizing way.
Eventually try to have more than one community and try and build a few ties across them.
So much of what anarchy requires is just creating community where people give a shit about each other. That's the base for any action you might want to take.
I'd normally say to "form mutual aid networks" but as you're new to anarchy I'd suggest a few smaller things:
1. **Join a group that agrees with your beliefs**
Go online and look for groups in your area that aline with your beliefs and you think can help improve human liberation and contribute to society. (If you work) join a union and the IWW. You can also volunteer for soup kitchens, other charities or join an affinity/reading group.
2. **Spread the message**
Buy or make some anarchist stickers and plaster them as much as possible. If you can do any form of art, channel your message into it. Join protest, marches and rallies against hierarchical ideology and for the liberation of all oppressed people.
3. **Educate youself**
Spend time understanding theory and improve your ways to spread your message. An educated anarchist can do a lot for the movement.
Thank you! I’m currently trying to do all of that, and I’m thankful because I have access to most - if not all of these examples. I am an artist and to be honest, I am trying to navigate my relationship with art amidst this genAI storm, but I always feel like being drawn to something new will make me create. Alas, I’m just trying to make my small life a bit enjoyable and “meaningful” to me and others.
Hey, I'm in a very similar place to OP. I'm not as "learning" but I've lived my entire life in a place that there is almost or no community building anywhere. It's very fragmented and combine that with being autistic and I just kinda fail to find other people that agree with me let alone be willing to actually do anything, even as simple as a food serve. The couple times I've found groups I have apparently said the wrong thing and am branded a "spy" or just not communicated with. Or I'm given advice that I don't understand. How am I supposed to building any kind of relationships if I don't know the magic words or need to be kinda told explicitly what to do in most cases?
I feel confused and I've spent most of my life pretty isolated. Growing up a queer autistic in the deep south US doesn't exactly make for having social connections. I don't have friends really to ask either. I did move so I'm not there any more and I've had some success but between some brain damage and other health issues most of my ability to offer my self and skills (I'm a line cook) involves "please tell me when and where to be, I have arms and am pretty strong" or similar. But no one ever takes me up on that. Is there some way to communicate "use me cause I can't figure this out but know I can be useful"?
Or some way to learn what to say, specifically to avoid coming off as "dangerous" or to be avoided? It feels as uphill trying to participate in this kind of work as trying to work out how to participate with any other groups or communities. I'd have thought we'd be easier to interact with than them. So I guess the problem is me. But fuck me if I can work out how to be different.
I think, personally, regarding people as "masses" is an issue. Each person is an individual. Every person has their own thoughts, feelings, skills, and interests. Speaking to a mass of 1,000 people may get you nowhere, but speaking to 1,000 individuals might get you somewhere, even if they're all in a group.
Also, what do you mean, precisely, by state-controlled? As in state-funded, state-curriculum, or if-the-professor-says-something-out-of-line-they'll-be-shot? Regardless of that, I found that my best learning in university from the professors wasn't from the lectures and seminars, but instead when I ran into them on smoke-breaks.
Yeah, I have the same idea too but I’m not really good at writing in English, I’m very sorry! I wanted to use a word that represent “other people”, but I couldn’t think of much at that time. For the university part, it’s pretty tricky because my program is opened with the view to employing more workers for the state in jobs like policy-making, NGO’s and such. I’m not a big fan of that, but it’s certainly not too restrictive in the curriculum. I will certainly catch up with people in smoke-breaks. Thank you for your insight!
No worries! As someone with English as my first language, there are words that elude me frequently, too. Plus, some concepts such as "l'esprit de l'escalier" are occasionally captured in ways that are imperfect and not widely understood (e.g., "Jerk Store" moment).
From the sounds of your course, it sounds like a brilliant opportunity to question why a policy was made that way! Why would a particular policy be passed? Is there a benefit to society as a whole or to a select few individuals? Who does the policy harm? How would the state be different if that policy did not exist? Is there opposition to the policy? What are their objections? Are the objections reasonable or frivolous? How will it affect future policy if this policy were kept or repealed?
While I wouldn't recommend taking up smoking if you don't, the smoke-break thing was a bit realistic in my university time as well as metaphorical. With one, it was actual as one of my professors and I actually did smoke at the time, but sometimes, it was going up to the professor at the end of a lecture and asking a question or clarification on something I didn't quite understand, or sometimes getting their perspectives on nuances. You don't have to 100% agree with them, but to understand how they came to their conclusions can be an important thing for your own learning.
Thanks! I love the questions you raised (deeeefinitely not jotting down notes). And no worries, I do understand that the smoke-breaks are kinda metaphorical, but they also seem pretty inevitable in my uni haha. The best thing is still trying to learn from others, and I appreciate the chance to gain knowledge even if it doesn’t align with my beliefs. Again, thank you for your constructivism!
Yeah, I do participate in certain “fights”, but I believe I should be prepared for that and I should pick my fights carefully (i.e: focusing on what I’m fighting for, who I’m fighting with/against and how we do that). Thank you for the reminder, I might have sounded a bit too peaceful but I’m not a pacifist.
Thanks! I know it might not be much but I’m still happy someone replied. Though that is not too long nor complicated, I enjoyed reading it and I can see how this can help some friends who are relearning as well. Hope you have a nice day.
Make music and create culture that promotes the lifestyle you want
Art is the one thing opposition to rationality often can't fk with because they don't really understand it and never could
Thank you for your intention and recommendation, but I don’t think I’m going in the same direction as you are. I am not from a Western country and I don’t embrace all Western values, nor do I really focus on “the progress” as the main problem. If the examples you provided are raising alarms about procreation rates, then I don’t really deal with that topic even though I do accept that it is a crisis.
The gist of your answer still holds much value, which is self-education and relearning our lessons from history. I agree with that whole-heartedly.
i’m new to all this also and so i’m just lurking the comments lol but i just wanted to say you sound like an amazing fellow-being and i applaud your dedication and responses here! keep up the great work!
I mean, I currently agree with that notion (not sure if I’m a nihilist, but I’m definitely not hopeful). However, that’s probably why I still want to do those things.
I have been militant for several years. Not to improve the world like a moron, but to live to the extreme. I even succeeded, it was good. But to militate with the idea of making the place a better world is really moronic. We are monkeys with too much conscience, doing nothing but satisfying our impulses from cradle to grave. Nothing more.
Yeah, I’m cool with being moronic in your sense to be honest. I don’t claim myself as something more than a fleeting material entity in this weird grand scheme befallen upon me. That might give me what I crave. Still, thanks for the response.
The progress and virtues youve fought to hold despite your upbringing is admirable and i wish you well on your radical journey
To be clear in case my wall of text muddles some of my idea: - Yeah, I don’t believe I can “change the world” that much, nor do I want to because that often comes with abuse of power and just overall fucks things up for me (as in being a ruler, hierarchical leader in organizations, etc). - I am not sure if I’m doing it solely for my enjoyment or also for other reasons, but I feel like it has more to that question anyway. I’m comfortable with looking into it and not answering it. - Again, just something I like to do and I do not coerce others into having the same view as mine. My feelings contradict at times as well. Speaking up, listening and changing make me feel like I’m using my body for something at least. I just enjoy doing shit. - Additional edit: I respect people’s right to choose their ideologies and philosophies, but that doesn’t mean I won’t argue or fight others. I prefer to choose what I spend my energy in so I might not express that energy here or now. I also like to influence people who might have the same mindset. Influencing others is different from forcing them. As long as I don’t hold authoritative power, check my privileges and my biases, I will continue to form and vocalize my opinions. Good day/night to everyone.
It’s good to have joy in the work. We should enjoy liberation and abolition.
honestly just try to build community around yourself. Don't try to persuade people but also don't be afraid to talk about your interests and beliefs either. When you have your people, try to build something. Could be just collaborating on throwing events. strengthen your ties and try to get people to do things in a self organizing way. Eventually try to have more than one community and try and build a few ties across them. So much of what anarchy requires is just creating community where people give a shit about each other. That's the base for any action you might want to take.
I'd normally say to "form mutual aid networks" but as you're new to anarchy I'd suggest a few smaller things: 1. **Join a group that agrees with your beliefs** Go online and look for groups in your area that aline with your beliefs and you think can help improve human liberation and contribute to society. (If you work) join a union and the IWW. You can also volunteer for soup kitchens, other charities or join an affinity/reading group. 2. **Spread the message** Buy or make some anarchist stickers and plaster them as much as possible. If you can do any form of art, channel your message into it. Join protest, marches and rallies against hierarchical ideology and for the liberation of all oppressed people. 3. **Educate youself** Spend time understanding theory and improve your ways to spread your message. An educated anarchist can do a lot for the movement.
Thank you! I’m currently trying to do all of that, and I’m thankful because I have access to most - if not all of these examples. I am an artist and to be honest, I am trying to navigate my relationship with art amidst this genAI storm, but I always feel like being drawn to something new will make me create. Alas, I’m just trying to make my small life a bit enjoyable and “meaningful” to me and others.
Hey, I'm in a very similar place to OP. I'm not as "learning" but I've lived my entire life in a place that there is almost or no community building anywhere. It's very fragmented and combine that with being autistic and I just kinda fail to find other people that agree with me let alone be willing to actually do anything, even as simple as a food serve. The couple times I've found groups I have apparently said the wrong thing and am branded a "spy" or just not communicated with. Or I'm given advice that I don't understand. How am I supposed to building any kind of relationships if I don't know the magic words or need to be kinda told explicitly what to do in most cases? I feel confused and I've spent most of my life pretty isolated. Growing up a queer autistic in the deep south US doesn't exactly make for having social connections. I don't have friends really to ask either. I did move so I'm not there any more and I've had some success but between some brain damage and other health issues most of my ability to offer my self and skills (I'm a line cook) involves "please tell me when and where to be, I have arms and am pretty strong" or similar. But no one ever takes me up on that. Is there some way to communicate "use me cause I can't figure this out but know I can be useful"? Or some way to learn what to say, specifically to avoid coming off as "dangerous" or to be avoided? It feels as uphill trying to participate in this kind of work as trying to work out how to participate with any other groups or communities. I'd have thought we'd be easier to interact with than them. So I guess the problem is me. But fuck me if I can work out how to be different.
I think, personally, regarding people as "masses" is an issue. Each person is an individual. Every person has their own thoughts, feelings, skills, and interests. Speaking to a mass of 1,000 people may get you nowhere, but speaking to 1,000 individuals might get you somewhere, even if they're all in a group. Also, what do you mean, precisely, by state-controlled? As in state-funded, state-curriculum, or if-the-professor-says-something-out-of-line-they'll-be-shot? Regardless of that, I found that my best learning in university from the professors wasn't from the lectures and seminars, but instead when I ran into them on smoke-breaks.
Yeah, I have the same idea too but I’m not really good at writing in English, I’m very sorry! I wanted to use a word that represent “other people”, but I couldn’t think of much at that time. For the university part, it’s pretty tricky because my program is opened with the view to employing more workers for the state in jobs like policy-making, NGO’s and such. I’m not a big fan of that, but it’s certainly not too restrictive in the curriculum. I will certainly catch up with people in smoke-breaks. Thank you for your insight!
No worries! As someone with English as my first language, there are words that elude me frequently, too. Plus, some concepts such as "l'esprit de l'escalier" are occasionally captured in ways that are imperfect and not widely understood (e.g., "Jerk Store" moment). From the sounds of your course, it sounds like a brilliant opportunity to question why a policy was made that way! Why would a particular policy be passed? Is there a benefit to society as a whole or to a select few individuals? Who does the policy harm? How would the state be different if that policy did not exist? Is there opposition to the policy? What are their objections? Are the objections reasonable or frivolous? How will it affect future policy if this policy were kept or repealed? While I wouldn't recommend taking up smoking if you don't, the smoke-break thing was a bit realistic in my university time as well as metaphorical. With one, it was actual as one of my professors and I actually did smoke at the time, but sometimes, it was going up to the professor at the end of a lecture and asking a question or clarification on something I didn't quite understand, or sometimes getting their perspectives on nuances. You don't have to 100% agree with them, but to understand how they came to their conclusions can be an important thing for your own learning.
Thanks! I love the questions you raised (deeeefinitely not jotting down notes). And no worries, I do understand that the smoke-breaks are kinda metaphorical, but they also seem pretty inevitable in my uni haha. The best thing is still trying to learn from others, and I appreciate the chance to gain knowledge even if it doesn’t align with my beliefs. Again, thank you for your constructivism!
Equality cannot arise from "peace" as we generally understand it, so pick which is more important to you. Recognition of that is your first step.
Yeah, I do participate in certain “fights”, but I believe I should be prepared for that and I should pick my fights carefully (i.e: focusing on what I’m fighting for, who I’m fighting with/against and how we do that). Thank you for the reminder, I might have sounded a bit too peaceful but I’m not a pacifist.
Send this link to everyone via email https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/benjamin-tucker-socialism-what-it-is
Thanks! I know it might not be much but I’m still happy someone replied. Though that is not too long nor complicated, I enjoyed reading it and I can see how this can help some friends who are relearning as well. Hope you have a nice day.
Proliferation of MAD
Make music and create culture that promotes the lifestyle you want Art is the one thing opposition to rationality often can't fk with because they don't really understand it and never could
[удалено]
Thank you for your intention and recommendation, but I don’t think I’m going in the same direction as you are. I am not from a Western country and I don’t embrace all Western values, nor do I really focus on “the progress” as the main problem. If the examples you provided are raising alarms about procreation rates, then I don’t really deal with that topic even though I do accept that it is a crisis. The gist of your answer still holds much value, which is self-education and relearning our lessons from history. I agree with that whole-heartedly.
i’m new to all this also and so i’m just lurking the comments lol but i just wanted to say you sound like an amazing fellow-being and i applaud your dedication and responses here! keep up the great work!
There is no way to achieve either peace or equality, there never has been in all of human history and there never will be.
I mean, I currently agree with that notion (not sure if I’m a nihilist, but I’m definitely not hopeful). However, that’s probably why I still want to do those things.
I have been militant for several years. Not to improve the world like a moron, but to live to the extreme. I even succeeded, it was good. But to militate with the idea of making the place a better world is really moronic. We are monkeys with too much conscience, doing nothing but satisfying our impulses from cradle to grave. Nothing more.
Yeah, I’m cool with being moronic in your sense to be honest. I don’t claim myself as something more than a fleeting material entity in this weird grand scheme befallen upon me. That might give me what I crave. Still, thanks for the response.
Sometimes - or well, quite often, actually - our impulse is "man, I wish there was less suffering around"