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Cake day: July 8th, 2026

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  • For lazy people here is a short summary of this video from YouTube’s summarize option:

    This video by Politically Depressed provides a critical analysis of the term “tankie” and the political phenomenon of “campism,” viewed through the lens of a leftist activist from the Global South. The author shares their own personal journey, detailing how their perspective evolved from being inspired by Noam Chomsky’s theories to becoming disillusioned with them during the revolutionary events in Lebanon (2019).

    Key topics covered in the video:

    What is a “tankie”? (09:27 - 19:21): Historically, the term originated after the 1956 Hungarian Revolution was crushed by Soviet tanks. Today, the author defines “tankies” as those who blindly support any regime that opposes the United States, often ignoring the genuine suffering of local populations living under those regimes.

    Campism as a better term (19:21 - 31:45): The author argues that “campism”—the idea of splitting the world into two warring camps (imperialist vs. anti-imperialist)—is a more accurate term for this worldview. They criticize the “enemy of my enemy is my friend” logic, noting that it frequently leads to the justification of authoritarian dictatorships.

    Is campism harmful? (31:45 - 45:37): The author explains how campism hinders true international solidarity. They critique how Western leftists often ignore the voices of people in the Middle East (specifically Syria, Iran, and Lebanon), attempting to force complex local struggles into a simplistic geopolitical framework.

    Towards an “internationalism from below” (45:37 - 57:03): The author calls for moving away from personality cults—specifically referencing the need to “kill your daddies” (the act of breaking away from blind adherence to intellectual authorities like Chomsky)—and instead focusing on building horizontal solidarity among movements and communities worldwide.

    Key Takeaway: The author concludes that a genuine fight against imperialism and capitalism requires “internationalism from below”—prioritizing mutual support among people rather than blind loyalty to geopolitical blocs or states.