chat

@[email protected] already linked my basic beginner guide in this thread so I won't spam it. Instead, I'll leave you with advice for if you never read theory, as much as I think you should.

Don't speak on what you haven't thoroughly investigated. If that is, say, whether or not revolution is required, don't immediately say yes or no, or even say that you think revolution is required but aren't sure. This sounds mean, but I promise, this right here will eliminate the vast majority of any real bullying you could come across. You can learn the answers to those questions by reading theory but also by listening to others.

Secondly, browse effort-posts and the News Mega. Just see what people are saying, and try to look up online what you aren't familiar with.

Third, just have fun in the general megathread and hobby comms like c/games! Those are just comfy and cozy.

We're all liberals here, so no worries

The important thing is to engage in a continual process of learning and self-education, so that you can engage in correct practice. Liberals don't have to do this because a. we're constantly bathed in propaganda that disseminates their worldview and b. they don't want to change the world in any meaningful way. You can pick up a lot by just hanging out with other leftists here and listening and chatting, but eventually you will want to read theory to better understand why they think the the things they do. Better yet, join an org irl, engage in political education through them and put it into practice.

At the end of the day, leftism isn't something you are, it's something you do.

Just learn a handful of quotes and drop them here and there in discussions, no one will notice that you haven't read theory

comrade @[email protected] dropped an excellent list https://lemmy.ml/post/22417306

ask any questions you have the moment you have them. and if somethings too hard or something else catches your eye its ok to deviate. It is a very good recommendation but not a prescription.

No, you won't be bullied as long as you act in good faith. It's a good sign that you want to grow and learn and are willing to ask questions.

In my book, you're a leftist if you want the end of capitalism. The rest of theory is just for learning the how and the why.

For something that's easier to read, I'd suggest Blackshirts and Reds by Michael Parenti.

'having lots to say is what matters the most here, and that is something I cannot do.'

• something you cannot do... YET.

my first year or two of leftism was hanging out in online forums and reading 'easy' theory by Chomsky and other similar palatable modern theorists, who aren't exactly Marxist with a capital M, but have valid critiques of capitalism. Naomi Klein, David Graeber, even Michael Moore.

I'd recommend 'How The World Works' by Chomsky. The title makes it clear what it's about. It's my go to recommendation to anyone who's curious. The whole book is taken directly from his radio appearances and the like, so it's totally conversational and written for maximum digestibility. Each chapter is very short, sometimes even just a page or two iirc. He gets into the big debates, without throwing jargon around.

For me, it was illuminating, and made me pretty angry with the world and the lies I'd been told. This drove me to go further and further. I found what interests me most: imperialism. I've spent about 3 years reading about it, and will probably read about it until the day I die. I can't get enough of it. I've even written plays about it. I could talk about it for days on end. And yet three years ago, I probably couldn't have even put Congo or Venezuela on a map.

All this is to say that it'll all come to you. And that I think a knowledge of imperialism is the key to unlocking Marxism.

Being gatekept on being a leftist is extremely leftist, the more times you've been purity tested the more leftist you are. Doesn't matter if you actually pass those purity tests, mind you, but it means you've stuck around long enough to not have given up and succumb to becoming a lib or fash.

As for theory, you can start with listening to Dolly Parton's seminal "9 to 5" as a primer on communism

This is the least serious leftist space. You will be just fine here. If you make a bad take, you may get called out on it. But the correct response is to just investigate what they are saying and adjust your views accordingly. That's all it takes to be a "good" leftist; the only "bad" leftist is someone who refuses to do that navel-gazing, refuses to critically examine their own views.

Also there isn't like an exam for leftism. Being an educated leftist is always better but if you say you're a comrade, you are to me until proven otherwise and that's done through actions

Honestly I think Capital is best absorbed as an audiobook. Throw it on while you're doing something else, because it is so God damn boring until you get to the later spicy bits.

No one reads theory, they just tell people to read theory. One day someone will actually read theory and tell us what the hell we're all doing here.

It depends on how willing you are to grow as a leftist. Consider purity tests a way to sharpen not only your beliefs, but the beliefs of the person testing you.

People will argue with you if you say something they disagree with but the only bullying I've seen is towards people who are being bigots or advocating for things that objectively suck

Well don't be afraid to ask questions if you got them and if anyone chooses to behave like a little shit, report them to get swatted on the nose with a newspaper roll.

I want to second what propter_hog said, being a leftist is a process. There is always more to learn about the world and the forces that drive it. Keep learning, and develop some healthy skepticism and media literacy with regard to capitalist depictions of socialist countries, and you're on track.

yes. even if you are a leftist, if you deviate even a little from what the clique of weirdo mods and super online "friends" (cops) agree on you will be deleted and or banned eventually.

A work like Capital may be a little much to start with and the style is a little old fashioned, but I think you're underestimating yourself. Reading any sort of non-fiction just means taking it at the pace you are comfortable with. Sometimes you have to look up a word or a phrase, sometimes you have to sleep on something and come back to it with fresh eyes -- that's fine! Understanding isn't something you get immediately -- it comes over time. If you're still intimidated, maybe try starting with something outside of direct theory. Pick a topic that you're interested in, and find a book on it. Reading is like any habit, it gets better with practice!