this post was submitted on 17 Jul 2024
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Asklemmy
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True, kind was the wrong word to use. I've posted comments in their threads without realizing and got decent replies, they just absolutely hate "us libs"
As a hater of liberalism myself, it's nice to see people hating it. I think you should participate in more apolitical Hexbear threads, they are probably the kindest overall instance IMO. Might open your eyes into seeing why liberalism is so hated by people who can be extremely tender and caring.
Have you engaged with Leftist theory on your own, before, or just through the eyes of others you've interacted with? Might help things make more sense.
I honestly didn't notice the .ml until now, but I've recognized your name around as well and aren't very abrasive with people either. It's just the constant "(insert violent ideas) to libs!" and not exactly being a full fledged leftist myself, I can't help but feel loathed by them especially when you get replies saying you're "the worst kind of person ever" etc..
As for the theory, it's been a very very long time so I'm sure I'm overdue to refresh my memory. I don't remember my specific issues with what I read, but I just know I wasn't convinced lol
Different people have different strategies for engaging with people. Many older Anarchists and Marxists have become more jaded with Liberals and supporters of Liberalism, as they have had to support their own views countless times. I myself have found that every once in a while I can make people reconsider their positions, and that makes it more worth it to me. I don't fault the abrasiveness of more jaded Comrades.
Radicals tend to feel very strongly about their views, depending on what you have said I can see extreme pushback. That's why I suggest engaging with Leftist communities like Hexbear through their less-political communities, like !Games@Hexbear.net if you play video games.
Let's start with what you have engaged with, maybe that would be more productive. I can make general recommendations, but if you have specific works you disagreed with then it might help guide recommendations or discussion.
I don't mean to dismiss your engagement as I do appreciate it, I just pop in on short breaks at work so I can't really delve too deeply into these kinds of things.
Some general recommendations are definitely welcome though, I appreciate the time you took to reply!
Without knowing your exposure, the simplest, fastest, and most straightforward primer is How Marxism Works, by Chris Harman. If you have any objections to Marxism, you likely won't find answers in it though, as it is extremely brief. Additionally, Harman's views on feminism are outdated, believing Marxism to supercede feminism, rather than the two implementing each other.
Otherwise, The Principles of Communism, Socialism: Utopian and Scientific, Wage Labor and Capital, Value, Price and Profit, Critique of the Gotha Programme, and finally Manifesto of the Communist Party is the best order of the essential Marxist works to understand the majority of the basics. These will walk you through terms, then Dialectical and Historical Materialism (the philosophical side of Marxism and failures of non-Marxist Socialists), 2 brief works on Capitalist critique, a critique of a weaker reformist Socialist Program, and finally a call to action, tying it all together.
Thank you for the list!
Now the question is how long after I check those will I be put on another kind of "list" lol
No problem! If you have any questions, you can message me, or ask over in !Marxism@Hexbear.net or somewhere on Lemmygrad. Lemmy.ml's Communism and Socialism communities aren't too active when it comes to discussing theory.
You realistically won't be added to any lists, haha, but if you're worried you can use a VPN and download the files locally.
Welcome to the resistance lol
If you have only minutes, and prefer videos: https://youtu.be/07E4iQ5z9iY
The leftist frustration with liberals comes from statements like this:
You cannot maintain the stability of capitalism without shedding blood. There is no option where no one gets hurt; violence is baked in to the status quo. How best to reduce the amount of violence in society is another question, but the false dichotomy of stability vs. violence is the root of the disconnect here.