Edit for clarity: I'm not asking why the Tankie/Anarchist grudge exist. I'm curious about what information sources - mentors, friends, books, TV, cultural osmosis, conveys that information to people. Where do individuals encounter this information and how does it become important to them. It's an anthropology question about a contemporary culture rather than a question about the history of leftism.

I've been thinking about this a bit lately. Newly minted Anarchists have to learn to hate Lenin and Stalin and whoever else they have a grudge against. They have to encounter some materials or teacher who teaches them "Yeah these guys, you have to hate these guys and it has to be super-personal like they kicked your dog. You have to be extremely angry about it and treat anyone who doesn't disavow them as though they're literally going to kill you."

Like there's some process of enculturation there, of being brought in to the culture of anarchism, and there's a process where anarchists learn this thing that all (most?) anarchists know and agree on.

Idk, just anthropology brain anthropologying. Cause like if someone or something didn't teach you this why would you care so much?

  • Tomorrow_Farewell [any, they/them]
    ·
    4 hours ago

    You're completely missing the point of what I said for the sake of defensiveness

    Firstly, what points am I missing?
    Secondly, you mistake an honest attempt to educate as 'defensiveness'. If you want to try to escalate, I assure you that I can bite back and that I have studied the topic. I would like to ask you to keep things civil, however.

    Your points are all broadly addressed in whar youre replying to

    Except, they are evidently not.

    You do not address the fact that the Bolsheviks were progressive even by today's standards (the guaranteed housing alone is a very significant development that is possible due to planned economy and you may notice that planned economies at least usually - if not always - provide guaranteed housing).

    You do not address the fact that the USSR did quite a bit more than 'the bare minimum' internationally, either. The claim in your original comment is outright false.

    You do not address the fact that your claim that 'they relished the misery, fetishized the sacrifices, and frequently missed the god damn point' is just fantasy that doesn't mean anything and is just meant to very vaguely paint communists in a bad light.

    I am going to note that you refused to elaborate on any of that.