This of course only applies in areas where blood has not been commodified. But if you live in a place where the medical system hasn't been completely corrupted by capital, you should do it.

And yes do it for others, but do it for yourself too. It lets you, for half an hour every few months, exist in a totally profitless environment where members of the community voluntarily gather to give to other members of the community they will never meet. Do it to remind yourself how many people on your community who don't identify as leftists participate in something like this.

Giving blood is Kropotkin's coast guard ideal.

I'm not saying giving blood is praxis, or that it will bring about the revolution, but it's an opportunity to temporarily escape our neoliberal hellworld.

  • meme_monster [none/use name]
    ·
    3 years ago

    Very cool. Now apply this reasoning to "essential workers". Do you think boomers volunteering to man fast food counters for free are comrades?

        • EthicalHumanMeat [he/him]
          ·
          3 years ago

          People also volunteer to feed homeless people, so I don't see what point you think you're making.

          • meme_monster [none/use name]
            ·
            3 years ago

            Mutual Aid is good. Supporting the charity industry just lines the pockets of capitalist wives and failsons.

              • hollowmines [he/him]
                ·
                3 years ago

                Seriously. Whether or not it counts as "mutual aid" and whether or not you are compensated (which, yes, you should be), if you can and are allowed to donate blood, it's helpful and does one no harm.