If you want to call yourself a leftist and don’t even try to make the bare minimum effort to read anything at all. Then what the fuck are you doing?

I know there are serious comrades here that actually want to build class consciousness and plant the seeds for revolution. A revolution that may not even occur in our lifetime. But you know as well as I do, that these goals and aspirations of ours are not idealistic, utopian dreams. No, we have hundreds of years of philosophical thinking, praxis in the forms of proletariat revolutions, and using billions of us in the working class we will win.

Capitalism itself has sown the seeds of its own destruction since its very beginning. And with the collective class consciousness instilled inevitably by the contradictions and antagonisms within capitalism, they have no choice but to inevitably fall to our will.

We alone have the chance to shape not only our futures but the futures of all generations after us. The planet is dying. People are dying. The only ones who are not, are the parasites at the top who live off of the blood, sweat, and tears of not only the working class in the imperial core, but upon those who been subjugated in the developing 3rd world where they have no choice but to accept our help due to the very conditions we instilled upon them during colonialism.

Stop being a fucking liberal. Start being someone who reads theory and understand what is happening in this world and the history that has led us to this point.

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      I agree with we need to consume it somehow. My point is that if you are on chapo.chat, you are leftist in some sense. And how can you understand the things we are fighting and organizing for, without reading at least some of the theory that makes up so many revolutions around the world?

      Lazy yes. Counterrevolutionary and traitors? I at least think there is a chance until you break yourself from the “cave.” (Allegory of the cave)

        • RedArmor [he/him]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          You should at the bare minimum engage with theory somehow. Saying that you want healthcare is one thing, but understanding the nuances and systematic oppression and brutality and the extraction of the healthcare system (and other things this isn’t just an example) is something else entirely.

          I personally would not understand how imperialism and colonialism worked unless I was deployed while I was a troop. But I’ve read theory, and I still am constantly. Always try to expand my philosophical and revolutionary theory and eventually praxis.

          As we all should if we have any hope of liberating our oppressed fellow workers. Whether they are in the 3rd world, are trans, are CIS, or whatever.

          None of us are free until all of us are free.

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      edit-2
      4 years ago

      That’s why Lenin understood you need a vanguard that has “strictest and truely iron discipline within the party” so we can lead those who may not have the best or even any understanding of theory comrade.

  • HumanBehaviorByBjork [any, undecided]
    ·
    4 years ago

    reading lots of lenin is the #1 cause of internet users who have copied the rhetorical style of lenin. not a mark against the man or his work, just something to consider.

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      Do you mean by wording of this? I love Lenin

        • RedArmor [he/him]
          hexagon
          ·
          edit-2
          4 years ago

          Fair enough.

          I personally want to learn to give speeches as he did. From things I’ve read, he always gave them as more of a teacher. Explaining things to the workers and masses so that they can understand and develop class consciousness.

          Plus I love his writing style

  • ThatsNotPraxis [he/him]
    ·
    edit-2
    4 years ago

    Have you ever considered your neurodiverse comrades that can’t make time in their day to even do the basic tasks of being alive, let alone read? Does that also make me traitorous and counterrevolutionary?

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      edit-2
      4 years ago

      Other comments in here say that is why a vanguard party is needed to help lead those who may not be able to or understand theory.

      I’m sorry comrade, I wasn’t trying to be offensive to people who cannot engage for physical, mental, emotional, or anything else that might impair them. I promise I meant no offense.

      Of course I will argue to engage somehow, from each according to their ability will you, but I understand it is very difficult sometimes and other things in their lives may prevent them.

      We each have something to tribute to the revolution.

      • ThatsNotPraxis [he/him]
        ·
        edit-2
        4 years ago

        Well I appreciate your honesty about it, but it’s just a little annoying when people levy these criticisms of people who don’t read, and generalize that to be “anyone who doesn’t read theory is an enemy” regardless of the fact that maybe some people just can’t engage with even audiobooks because I can’t even will my brain to consistent on anything.

        Like I get it, neurodiverse comrades are usually everyone’s afterthought, I just wish people would consider that constantly being told you’re not good enough by society in general (“oh you’re just lazy.” And “well just do y if you don’t like x”) doesn’t feel good, and then doubly so on here with people I respect.

        • RedArmor [he/him]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          If you can’t engage actively then you can’t engage. But if you are a Marxist you will understand that from each according to their ability is implying that not everyone will be able to contribute evenly with certain things.

          We each have our strengths. If theory is not yours, then that’s okay.

  • BigAssBlueBug [they/them]
    ·
    4 years ago

    I already have to read like a bajillion studies about the human mind, I'll leave the economic stuff to you guys

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      Then use that information and study about that.

      Learn how we evolved to form groups and societies. How different cultures emerged and why based on their beliefs, resources, locations, and conditions.

      I’m a stupid army veteran. We all have something to contribute to the revolution and instilling class consciousness comrade. You even more so if you’re studying the mind.

      • leftofleft [none/use name]
        ·
        4 years ago

        No they/we are not, at least in the real world. Leftcom is an extremely online thing like tankies or anarcho-whatevers. I'm just a communist who has to call myself leftcom on the internet to seperate my views and aims from other communists.

        • RedArmor [he/him]
          hexagon
          ·
          4 years ago

          What are your views and aims then if you are a communist but don’t follow ML? What makes them separate?

          • leftofleft [none/use name]
            ·
            4 years ago

            lol you made a thread telling people to read theory and you don't even know what the views and aims of non-ML communists are? You know, people like Marx, Engels or Lenin?

            • RedArmor [he/him]
              hexagon
              ·
              edit-2
              4 years ago

              I’m asking you specifically, not leftcoms in general. I’m always trying to expand my theory and inputs, even if I don’t agree with them.

              Also, I haven’t read every single book of theory. I’m trying to get more comrades to engage in this site

                • RedArmor [he/him]
                  hexagon
                  ·
                  edit-2
                  4 years ago

                  Okay, well marx also developed himself overtime. There is a difference between early marx and later Marx.

                  How is this too much for me to ask you what you believe in? If you’re taking from Marx, what you have read. Lol

                  • thefunkycomitatus [he/him,they/them]
                    ·
                    4 years ago

                    Ignore this person. They were banned for doing this kind of thing. They were calling everyone libs for not agreeing with them and then saying their opinions are the opinions of Marx. They'll just argue with you in this coy way for a while.

                    But all that aside, I'm kind of shocked nobody dinged you for the "And with the collective class consciousness instilled inevitably by the contradictions and antagonisms within capitalism, they have no choice but to inevitably fall to our will." part. That's not dialectical. Capitalism will turn into something else and cease to be but it's not inevitable that socialism or communism come after. And there's no guarantee that we will reach class consciousness either.

                    • RedArmor [he/him]
                      hexagon
                      ·
                      4 years ago

                      Of course. I gave up on them lol

                      And in my defense I’m drunk rn. But you are of course correct. Another comrade called me out for “talking like Lenin” and I mean :lenin-heart:

                  • leftofleft [none/use name]
                    ·
                    4 years ago

                    Okay, well marx also developed himself overtime.

                    There is no shortage of people claiming to "improve" or "revise" or "develop" Marxism. None of them have come up with any critique of Marxism that is valid.

                    There is a difference between early marx and later Marx.

                    What is the difference?

                    How is this too much for me to ask you what you believe in?

                    You're the guy who made a thread telling people to read theory, now you want me to give you a condensed lecture on Marxism in a shitposting forum?

                    • RedArmor [he/him]
                      hexagon
                      ·
                      4 years ago

                      Oh come on. Lmao you didn’t answer anything.

                      How typical haha

                      • leftofleft [none/use name]
                        ·
                        4 years ago

                        Why bother reading Marx when you can just ask for people's opinion of Marx on the internet right?

                        • RedArmor [he/him]
                          hexagon
                          ·
                          4 years ago

                          Yes when I am asking someone specifically what they mean by something I am asking for your opinion dumbass.

                          • leftofleft [none/use name]
                            ·
                            4 years ago

                            I already gave you the answer about my views. You seem to think I have an "opinion" or some original ideas. I don't.

                            • RedArmor [he/him]
                              hexagon
                              ·
                              4 years ago

                              I already gave you the answer about my views.

                              Where?

                                • RedArmor [he/him]
                                  hexagon
                                  ·
                                  edit-2
                                  4 years ago

                                  Sure, and Marx changed and tweaked some of his views throughout his life. All I am asking is, what do you believe in as a leftcom, or as someone who “identifies online as a leftcom”?

                                  And since you won’t answer I know you’re just full of shit and other comrades have confirmed this. :ban-hammer:

                                  Edit- I want you to tell me what you believe in as I have asked before constantly and you just tell me to read marx. Lol

                                  • leftofleft [none/use name]
                                    ·
                                    4 years ago

                                    Sure, and Marx changed and tweaked some of his views throughout his life

                                    What are those views? I changed my views too. I used to be an anarchist, then an ML.

                                    All I am asking is, what do you believe in as a leftcom, or as someone who “identifies online as a leftcom”?

                                    Do you want me to list out all the talking points on historical materialism, the role of the party, critique of commodity production, criticism of anarchism, criticism of other socialisms, criticism of economics, criticism of morality, criticism of religion, role of the state etc? Here's a reading list - https://www.reddit.com/r/Bruhinternational/comments/m53hon/official_rbruhinternational_reading_list/

                                      • leftofleft [none/use name]
                                        ·
                                        4 years ago

                                        You posted a polemic that criticizes the tactics of the Dutch-German leftcommunists. Can you explain how it is relevant here?

                                        • RedArmor [he/him]
                                          hexagon
                                          ·
                                          4 years ago

                                          It is a breakdown of Left Wing Communism by Lenin. Since you can’t read it. There are plenty of relevant quotes here that would refute anything you said. If you said anything. But you’re just trying to wreck a post for some reason like a clown :jokerfication:

                                            • RedArmor [he/him]
                                              hexagon
                                              ·
                                              4 years ago

                                              Okay so you are saying you are a leftcom, but you don’t identify as one, only online. I post the ebook and a podcast breakdown of the text. And you say you agree with it, even though it refutes the idea of left wing communism within the title?

                                              Are you a worker? Lol because I am.

                                              If I am so wrong in defending Marxism-Leninsm then please please please tell me why you are more correct than me.

                                              • leftofleft [none/use name]
                                                ·
                                                4 years ago

                                                Like I said, "leftcoms" are an online thing today. There is no leftcommunist party or movement. We are just communists. Lenin's criticism is of the German leftcommunists in the 1910s who rejected the role of the party, which goes explicitly against what Marx advocated, and against what historical experience has shown to be a necessity.

                                                Criticism of Marxism-Leninism - https://www.marxists.org/archive/bordiga/works/1952/stalin.htm

    • RedArmor [he/him]
      hexagon
      ·
      4 years ago

      Audiobooks. YouTube videos. Podcasts.

      No excuse for liberalism in the 21st century.