NathanUp

u/NathanUp@lemmy.ml
49 posts · 284 comments

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A great point. That's exactly the problem the libertarian socialists have been trying to solve for 100 years, and they have actually recorded some pretty intelligent thoughts on the matter in that time.

I get so frustrated with the "communism is unequivocally bad because my oligopolistic government told me so since childhood and I've never actually looked into it" crowd. Not because of their beliefs, but because they're grounded in nothing of substance. And any attempt at all to say "well have you actually thought about this, because there's nuance" is met with foaming mouths and flying spittle.

(Prefacing this with a disclaimer, because reading comprehension is in the toilet these days, that in the following paragraph I am addressing a hypothetical "you" and I am not actually asking anyone these questions)

Like, communism bad? Sure, maybe. Let's talk about it. Okay, which communist ideology are you talking about? And are you talking about the ideology itself, or the specific ways in which various projects have attempted to implement it? Do those implementation attempts align with the ideology? Why or why not? And are you aware of the critiques of that ideology and / or approach by other communists, or are you just parroting what you've heard from other people who also have not read a book on the topic?

I genuinely do not not have it in me to care what people believe, but seeing people react like agitated weasels—screaming, crying, and flailing when something they in no way understand is raised in conversation just makes me despair for the species, and wonder whether people actually put any thought into their positions at all!

Such a shame all countries that have catched communism have descended into dictatorships huh.

Almost like the anti-authoritarian schools of thought aren't adopted by people who are keen to size state power or something, eh? Like those people would adopt different tactics or something? Like, maybe Juche and Anarcho-Syndicalism are different things with different approaches?

Also the "both sides" is such an outdated propaganda lie

So, are you saying that anti-communist propaganda doesn't exist?

In my original comment, I wasn't making an argument for or against communism. What I was saying is that people don't know what they're talking about and react on a hair trigger (because of years of propaganda). And you've just illustrated that beautifully.

Like, I don't care what you believe, but maybe pick up a book and come to understand an ideology before you criticize it?

Love your paintings by the way. Especially the one with the window on the yellow wall. I'd totally buy a print of that.

Also worth mentioning that there is propaganda on both sides: it's really difficult to know what's true. People also like to throw around terms without knowing what they mean and make assumptions that may not be grounded in fact (E.G., communism = authoritarianism: there are entire communist schools of thought dedicated to critiquing authoritarianism and how power has been / should be used in communist projects).

on The inauspicious cloud · c/incense · 1 pts · 56d

Huh. Well I hope you don't have a gas stove! Honestly, I would ignore it anyway, but if you're not so inclined, simmer-pots and electric heaters can be really nice.

on The inauspicious cloud · c/incense · 1 pts · 56d

I have never seen this. I also don't see a ban on incense and candles being very popular with a large percentage of prospective tenants. Wouldn't this also effectively ban people from doing puja and other religious ceremonies in their own homes?

I can imagine this being included for large towers; we're not allowed any flames in my office, for example, but there was no mention of this in my last three Chicago leases, and Chicago is well known for its fire safety measures for historical reasons.

If I were to encounter this in a normal house / apartment, I'd assume it was some racist clause like "no cooking with strong spices" used by bigoted landlords to try to keep POC out.

on The inauspicious cloud · c/incense · 1 pts · 56d

Really? I've never once seen or heard incense mentioned when renting. In any case, unless you are absolutely fogging the place out every day with no ventilation, they'll never know. They probably wouldn't even know what a censer was if they saw it.