chat

Yes I admit, I haven't tried to read theory. I have no confidence that I would do it correctly.

two points. first, the only incorrect way to read theory is to not read it. even if you don't understand 100% of a book -- hell, even if you only understand 25% of a book the first time you read it -- you can still get a lot out of it and become a better, more informed leftist. second, theory is only one side of the coin. what makes a good leftist is a combination of theory and praxis that inform each other, so if you're still really that worried about not being able to read theory, getting out and actually contributing to a leftist cause will both help you feel like you're a Good Leftist and make reading theory more approachable, bc praxis informs theory and vice versa

Death to America

Nah, I don't meet theirs as well. Just be economically socialist, superstructurally progressive, and foreign policy-wise anti-western

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.

@[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.

I think it's ok to be a quiet lurker and only speak up when you feel like you have something to say or have a question. Questions are good. I'm a victim of spoon theory so I will sometimes go wall of text, but then rest of the day just do a shitposty comment session. They haven't kicked me yet.

As for whether you are a leftist, collectivism and healthcare reform is a good start. I can't answer that question without knowing more. Do you support capitalism? Do you think it can be reformed in favor of the working class? Do you think we can only get to a better place through revolution? I think that is probably the best starting point. At one point I was a reformist, now I'm not. But it was a journey. And I think that is important too. None of us woke up as revolutionaries. It took time to peel away the western propaganda that at least us burgerlanders were victims of.

So with that said, I do think theory is important, but the cool thing is that the books and essays aren't going away any time soon. You can take your time when you get to reading it. And please do. I've even reread stuff to further solidify concepts. The more you do read, the better understanding you will get. A key thing imo is understanding actual dialectics but don't worry about that for now. It's hard to read about at first but once you get it, you start looking at things a lot differently. This is one of the places I would unironically use the word "woke" as a description. Dialectics leads into a better understanding of the "whys" of working class liberation but also gender, queer, trans, black, and disabled liberation, among other concepts. It's a big pill to swallow so take your time.

With that said, regarding not ever having read theory, my cut and dry suggestion is to read Principles of Communism by Engels. It's short and extremely easy to read. If you seem to agree with everything, or at least a lot of what's in there then you are probably a leftist. If the content interests you then come back to cowbee's list and start working through that. But, to reiterate, please take your time.

I've only been wrong about one person I felt was a leftist, and that was actually super recent, but at that I wanna say, I think you are on the right path. You are here asking questions and that's a hell of a start.

We only bully bastards, subhuman crackers, and shitheads who side with the oppressor over the people and behave like reactionary/neoliberal scum on this website. The "standard" here is not being a bootlicker

I was questioned on whether I "actually am a leftist", by a friend.

"UR NTO A LEFTIST BCUZ I DIDNT SEE U CITE KONDRATIEV WAVES IN UR RESPONSE"

Your friend sounds like an elitist wanker who has dreams of becoming an academic.

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

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.

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

'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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.