Reading this topic made me feel like I had to comment, its just so stupid.
Hierarchyis inherint in capitalism. There will always be haves and have nots in capitalism. Therefore it is impossible to live freely with capitalism. Capitalism provides incentive for companies to rape the planet and use sweatshop labor overseas. Capitalism creates a society in which ones merits are determined by the amount of capital they can acumulate, rather than what they do with that capital. No capitalism wont just "play nice". It hasnt for generations, there will be no change now.
FOr those of you that believe that capitalism isn't an evil institution it's easy to have that opinion sitting in front of your computer in the comfort of your home. Work in a maquladora in Mexico, a sweatshop in China, or go to the Amazon and watch rampant deforestation, or the displacement of native peoples in Chiapas, or the destruction of squats such as Ungdomshuset, or the decimation of native peoples here in America. All of the sudden capitalism doesnt seem so friendly. It's easy for us to sit back in our post industrial world and give praise for capitalism.
I also thinks its funny that you argue that bands are anti-capitalist because its an accepted stance. Since when? Are the people in this thread accepting it? Does society in general accept it? No, being anti capitalist is not a welcome concept in our society(unless your some libertarian). Maybe bands are anti-capitalist because capitalism is at its core a disgusting institution and most the time even supposed "punks" or "rebels" are to ignorant or apathetic to see that.
As for the argument that "punk labels are capitalist" COmpare the cost of any cd from a DIY punk distro to the costs of those at Best buy or FYE. There is a bif difference between paying $8 and $18, Yes punk labels charge money, unfortunetly that is the reality of our situation. If a label wishes to stay alfoat and the people runing it want to live then they are obligated to charge money for music. Just as I am oblgated to work 40 hours at a job I ****ing hate. Our society says that basic human nessecities such as shelter and food must be purchased (hence a very realiistic interpretation of "buy or die") which requires myself and record labels to operate inside the capitalist system when nessecary.
Once again at can't help but laught when people talk about how it's easy to be anti-capitalist without realizing the ignorance of their statement and the fact that anti-capitalists are not exactly welcomed in our society. Look at history, during the periods of rapid industrialization in America there was a huge anarchist/socialist movement in america. As a post industrial economy emerged and most hard labor was sent overseas the anarchist/socialist movement has shrank drastically.(Also thanks to the red scare(s) and subsequent purging of radical groups)
As for the argument that all institutions are flawed I think the big poing that you miss is that there is NO ultimate goal in capitalism other than to aquire capital for ones self. Where as socialism has an ultimate goal of a free and equal society with a system of production that allows for the needs and desires of a society without surplus labor. Or anarchism has an ultimate goal of a free and equal society based on cooperation. It is easy to write off socialism an anarchism as fringe movement with no momentum, but once again look at history. In 1968 students occupied Paris and the entire country of Frnce was on the brink of socialist revolution before they were betrayed by pro-capitalist elements within the socialist party. Its getting harder to harvest any discontent from "punks" as they would incresingly rather listen to what they are told by teachers and authorities, and surf the internet for free punk albums on soulseek, or go to the mall. But the possibility for a different world is out there right under your noses.
Most people probobly dont know whats going on in there own town as far as corporations raping the world (my town alone has arms manufacutrers and poluters based here, and its not a big town)
Anyway if your still sitting there scratching your head at "why be so anti-capitalism, its not that bad" go to your library and read up. Go read Keynes and then read some Marx or Bakunin and see who you agree with more. Read a biography of Reagan then read one about Trotsky and see who you like more. Or for a real quick simple read go fet "The proporus few and the restless many" by Noam Chomsky.
To quote Sylvia Pankhurst “I am going to fight capitalism even if it kills me. It is wrong that people like you should be comfortable and well fed while all around you people are starving.”
Or to further elaborate lets turn to Eugene V Debs
"Years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then and I say now while there is a lower class, I am in it; while there is a criminal element, I am of it; while there is a soul in prision, I am not free."
Although I dont for a moment suspect that anyone here will become a socialist or an anarchist, and most peole here will read this and disregard it as they listen to their Ipod and buy their hamburgers I think it's important that you realize that there is so much going on out there that you and I dont even realize and to be complacent is to give your consent to all of the destruction. Hate to quote up the place but "The most heroic word in all languages is revolution."
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If I cant dance I dont want to be part of your revolution.
DEATH TO FALSE DUDES!
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