The Wow I Can't Believe That News Story Thread

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by jwb

so you prefer being a cog in the machine while paying taxes to joining an agrarian commune while paying taxes. Makes sense.

I prefer being a part of a society where I have a stake in what happens and where what I do is in service to our goals as a community. This society we live in now is an existential black hole where unless I am predator I am prey.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Frownland

That's the outcome of giving up on an issue because a more global issue is influencing it, so it's what you're arguing for.

I very rarely argue FOR anything. I just state what I’m against.

[The Batlord]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I very rarely argue FOR anything. I just state what I’m against.

lol That's my basic approach to anti-capitalism. I'm absolutely sure I'm against capitalism but what the solution is is kinda complicated and people are dumb so I'm not so sure about what comes after hanging Donald Trump from a street light. I just know he has to hang.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by Doug McClasky

I prefer being a part of a society where I have a stake in what happens and where what I do is in service to our goals as a community. This society we live in now is an existential black hole where unless I am predator I am prey.

I'm not saying I like the system as is. I'm saying if you sincerely believe in anarcho communism as an alternative, there are set ups that you could join that would more closely resemble your vision.

And honestly, and I don't mean this as an insult, but if you don't like the material aspects of our society then I think joining an agrarian commune would be an upgrade from flipping burgers.

Hard work is actually sorta good for you tbh. I just hate being isolated from civilization myself. So I take my lumps and move on with it.

But yes the system will eventually have to change. Capitalism is unsustainable. But anarcho communism is not scalable. That's why we evolved past it in the first place.

[The Batlord]

1. I do not have faith in anarcho communism. I simply do not think that looking at it from the viewpoint of overwhelming capitalism gives a reasonable view of it when it is applied in tiny pockets within capitalist societies. I am a political nihilist first and foremost, but I give the socialists and anarchists my unreserved moral support. I say if we can't move to some form of socialism then **** it let's go for broke and let society crumble while trying because the alternative is why we have school shootings.

2. I would love to join a commune and ignore the rest of society for as long as it existed. I just see mostly either shortlived communes or ones where some form of expertise is required that I do not have.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

I very rarely argue FOR anything. I just state what I’m against.

That makes you complicit.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by jwb

There are places where people band together, create a surplus through collective labor and share the wealth minus taxes. Call it what you want. You would still rather punch a clock.

I’m intellectually post-labor.

And I’m not going to invest my time in some destined to failed whatever because there’s a monolith called America that intentionally makes such endeavors disagreeable.

My failure to walk the walk is in not doing anything that undermines America’s existence. Everything I do is mired in fraudulence, cowardice, disingenuousness, apathy, and failure. I’m never going to act on my beliefs except to behave as a person who doesn’t need to be governed. I try my best not cause harm. In practice, I’m a pacifist. And philosophically I’m aligned with Tolstoy and Thoreau. And the Unabomber. Except they really did things.

[OccultHawk]

Originally Posted by Frownland

That makes you complicit.

We’re all complicit.

[Frownland]

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

We’re all complicit.

The unwillingness to support your stances only makes that fact apply to a longer period of history.

[jwb]

Originally Posted by Doug McClasky

1. I do not have faith in anarcho communism. I simply do not think that looking at it from the viewpoint of overwhelming capitalism gives a reasonable view of it when it is applied in tiny pockets within capitalist societies. I am a political nihilist first and foremost, but I give the socialists and anarchists my unreserved moral support. I say if we can't move to some form of socialism then **** it let's go for broke and let society crumble while trying because the alternative is why we have school shootings.

The only real restraint on these communes is the taxes they pay and certain basic laws they still have to follow. Which is basically just protection money. In a world without nation States you would be tasked with funding your own protection. That's why armies exist. As soon as people discovered the ability to make a surplus, they subsequently discovered the need to pay armed soliders to protect it.

I'm not necessarily against socialism. I'm against anarchism. In my view govts are a necessary evil.

2. I would love to join a commune and ignore the rest of society for as long as it existed. I just see mostly either shortlived communes or ones where some form of expertise is required that I do not have.

Forgive my disbelief but I gave you a link and you didn't bat an eye