These propagandized individuals are emotionally manipulated to hate communists and see them as dangerous by capitalist institutions, but they are in no way, shape, or form exposed to the ideas that communists express in an impartial manner.
I’d argue that it is rare that understanding is properly conveyed through labels. People attach their own understanding to labels - and these propagandized individuals are conditioned to believe they understand communists, but in reality they are just trained to dehumanize and hate communists. They don’t understand.
What seems to work best is being honest, consistent, and up-front about our views. We must never tire of explaining the same basic concepts. When orgs try to distance themselves from socialist countries, or labels like “communist,” they come across as dishonest when their views are exposed, backfiring.
When the conditions of capitalism and imperialism decay, more and more of the working classes become less opposed and more open to socialism and communism. Our job is to try to bring these newly radicalized people to proper orgs and proper study. I made an intro Marxist-Leninist reading list for just such a purpose.
I argue that the first steps to creating broad coherence with others involves encouraging independent thought/critical thinking, emphasizing our shared humanity and desire for a better world for everyone, and subtly working to reduce polarization (such as conditioned fear/hate/dehumanization of others) in any way possible.
I understand this is a ML space and I respect your ideology, but I have to point out that it isn’t the only socialist ideology - and it’s a fairly polarizing one at that. What could be done to help bridge the gap among socialists, even just here on the fediverse?
Critical thinking is necessary, but that’s not really something we socialists have any power over in the broad populace. It’s largely a product of education, combined with the lessons being in a given class teaches us. I try to do my best to explain that I want a better world, but that also requires being honest and forthright with me being a communist, and explaining exactly what that means and why.
As for Marxism-Leninism, I’d argue its controversy mostly stems from it being the branch with the most actual existence in the real world. Bridging the gap to other socialists, for me, involves demystifying it and trying to explain the basics of it theoretically. I try to explain what I can, where and when I can, and that has seen a good deal of success.
Critical thinking is necessary, but that’s not really something we socialists have any power over in the broad populace.
I believe that we all have the power to educate others to think for themselves and to think critically. It may not be as substantive and impactful as we’d like from a single interaction, but it’s nothing to write off. I feel that there is a lot of untapped potential for all of us to realize, especially with the use of modern technology.
The internet is an truly an amazing thing for humanity. I just have to point out the work r/LateStageCapitalism has done to educate and inform others over the years. Many people have likely been radicalized due to their work (i.e. encouraged to think for themselves and see beyond mainstream narratives) and I’m pretty sure it’s a ML space, as well.
It’s easy to see that traditional institutions are losing trust broadly and that mainstream media is falling off. The narrative seems very difficult for those currently in power to both spread and control the perception of.
I try to do my best to explain that I want a better world, but that also requires being honest and forthright with me being a communist, and explaining exactly what that means and why.
I value your example and honesty. I have witnessed many interactions between you and other people on the fediverse and I applaud your efforts and diplomacy.
As for Marxism-Leninism, I’d argue its controversy mostly stems from it being the branch with the most actual existence in the real world.
Most people here on the fediverse loosely agree on what needs to change, but most of the disagreement I feel comes from the methodology of bringing about that change. I’d say there is a time and place to discuss methodology or introduce people into specific ideology, but getting people to realize a better world is possible is something we can all work broadly work towards and I feel there is a lot of value in that sort of action.
I absolutely agree that online spaces are an excellent way to educate and radicalize. Agitprop is extremely useful, in fact I support trying to move people from corporate media to federated, FOSS media as we can’t be as easily censored here. I don’t think skills like critical thinking can be taught online without the person already trying to develop such skills, but agitprop helps them reconsider if they need to research more.
As for the fediverse, I think the big 3 positions are anarchism, liberalism, and Marxism-Leninism, at least on Lemmy. Some people sit on the outskirts of those, but ML has a supermajority among Marxists here, as an example. I think it’s best therefore to be upfront and not try to cage my views, obscure them, etc, but to try to meet people where they are at and gently push them to where they can learn more if they so choose. That’s the best way I can think of.
One key point is to break conformism. People were and are brainwashed to hate “communism” on top of being brainwashed to conform to society. To hate the enemy is a recurring theme in the system, in our case it takes the form of communists but it can be anything else.
These propagandized individuals are emotionally manipulated to hate communists and see them as dangerous by capitalist institutions, but they are in no way, shape, or form exposed to the ideas that communists express in an impartial manner.
I’d argue that it is rare that understanding is properly conveyed through labels. People attach their own understanding to labels - and these propagandized individuals are conditioned to believe they understand communists, but in reality they are just trained to dehumanize and hate communists. They don’t understand.
So, how does this dynamic shift?
What seems to work best is being honest, consistent, and up-front about our views. We must never tire of explaining the same basic concepts. When orgs try to distance themselves from socialist countries, or labels like “communist,” they come across as dishonest when their views are exposed, backfiring.
When the conditions of capitalism and imperialism decay, more and more of the working classes become less opposed and more open to socialism and communism. Our job is to try to bring these newly radicalized people to proper orgs and proper study. I made an intro Marxist-Leninist reading list for just such a purpose.
I argue that the first steps to creating broad coherence with others involves encouraging independent thought/critical thinking, emphasizing our shared humanity and desire for a better world for everyone, and subtly working to reduce polarization (such as conditioned fear/hate/dehumanization of others) in any way possible.
I understand this is a ML space and I respect your ideology, but I have to point out that it isn’t the only socialist ideology - and it’s a fairly polarizing one at that. What could be done to help bridge the gap among socialists, even just here on the fediverse?
Critical thinking is necessary, but that’s not really something we socialists have any power over in the broad populace. It’s largely a product of education, combined with the lessons being in a given class teaches us. I try to do my best to explain that I want a better world, but that also requires being honest and forthright with me being a communist, and explaining exactly what that means and why.
As for Marxism-Leninism, I’d argue its controversy mostly stems from it being the branch with the most actual existence in the real world. Bridging the gap to other socialists, for me, involves demystifying it and trying to explain the basics of it theoretically. I try to explain what I can, where and when I can, and that has seen a good deal of success.
I believe that we all have the power to educate others to think for themselves and to think critically. It may not be as substantive and impactful as we’d like from a single interaction, but it’s nothing to write off. I feel that there is a lot of untapped potential for all of us to realize, especially with the use of modern technology.
The internet is an truly an amazing thing for humanity. I just have to point out the work r/LateStageCapitalism has done to educate and inform others over the years. Many people have likely been radicalized due to their work (i.e. encouraged to think for themselves and see beyond mainstream narratives) and I’m pretty sure it’s a ML space, as well.
It’s easy to see that traditional institutions are losing trust broadly and that mainstream media is falling off. The narrative seems very difficult for those currently in power to both spread and control the perception of.
I value your example and honesty. I have witnessed many interactions between you and other people on the fediverse and I applaud your efforts and diplomacy.
Most people here on the fediverse loosely agree on what needs to change, but most of the disagreement I feel comes from the methodology of bringing about that change. I’d say there is a time and place to discuss methodology or introduce people into specific ideology, but getting people to realize a better world is possible is something we can all work broadly work towards and I feel there is a lot of value in that sort of action.
I absolutely agree that online spaces are an excellent way to educate and radicalize. Agitprop is extremely useful, in fact I support trying to move people from corporate media to federated, FOSS media as we can’t be as easily censored here. I don’t think skills like critical thinking can be taught online without the person already trying to develop such skills, but agitprop helps them reconsider if they need to research more.
As for the fediverse, I think the big 3 positions are anarchism, liberalism, and Marxism-Leninism, at least on Lemmy. Some people sit on the outskirts of those, but ML has a supermajority among Marxists here, as an example. I think it’s best therefore to be upfront and not try to cage my views, obscure them, etc, but to try to meet people where they are at and gently push them to where they can learn more if they so choose. That’s the best way I can think of.
Thanks for engaging, I largely agree with you and really appreciate your responses. I’m glad we finally had the opportunity to talk.
No problem, thanks for the convo!
One key point is to break conformism. People were and are brainwashed to hate “communism” on top of being brainwashed to conform to society. To hate the enemy is a recurring theme in the system, in our case it takes the form of communists but it can be anything else.