Your wonderful article moved me to tears. I have always considered Anarchy to be Love in action, but you put it so well, so succinct. Thank you, thank you ever so much.
You are very kind. I'm glad it was able to convey the message I was trying to impart, and that it meant so much to you. I worried my words wouldn't be able to convey the strength of my feelings, but it seems that with you they have, and that makes me very happy.
Oh, it is a wonderful posting. I have reposted to around 200k as part of my latest substack. Trying to get people to realize the basis of Anarchism is always worth it!
I am drawn to these concepts and hope that you find a method to spread the reach of your message. I have been pondering the problem of isolation. Please read and comment on my little rant:
I would like to suggest that we need an education and outreach effort. Many unengaged individuals are retired, semi-disabled, disenfranchised, isolated, and extremely distanced from the information sphere. This group includes those burdened by the issues that Trump considers unattractive—people who work 60 hours a week just to manage their bills, those with health conditions, parents of special needs children, and individuals with learning disabilities. Many do not have family connections or inherited wealth, which contributes to their disconnection.
A significant portion of these individuals have checked out of serious social and political conversations because they feel overwhelmed. This sense of disconnection is exacerbated by the breakdown of traditional media, the rapid acceleration of technology, and the harsh realities of end-stage capitalism. While many of you navigate online spaces effortlessly, there are countless people that the resistance needs to reach who, like me, are practically Luddites and could really use assistance with online and technical matters.
I do not excuse anyone who knowingly embraces right-wing ideologies, but I suspect there are many who feel ostracized, alone, helpless, and a bit hapless. They might also feel judged for their lack of knowledge. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe many people have been overlooked by the government and institutional organizations. Many of us, particularly those living in "flyover country," would eagerly join the resistance if we simply knew how to get involved.
This perspective is informed by my personal experiences and by a range of social issues that remain unaddressed by mainstream measures. For instance, many organizations gauge the health and well-being of the citizenry through metrics like GDP, stock market performance, or government-reported unemployment rates, which often overlook the real struggles people face.
I agree that there is much more that needs to be done locally and nationally in the US and UK - there are some good YouTubers and TikTokers trying, and some people are doing great work locally. But the efforts need to step up, and I fear us missing this opportunity.
Your points about isolation and disconnection really resonate. You've highlighted a crucial issue - that many people who might be natural allies are cut off from information and engagement not by choice, but by circumstances: working multiple jobs, dealing with health issues, caring for family members, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological change. The breakdown of local news and community spaces has made it even harder for people to find ways to connect and get involved too.
I appreciate how you distinguish between those who actively embrace harmful ideologies versus those who feel left behind and disconnected. That's an important nuance that often gets lost in political discussions.
Personally, I've just started doing videos, guides for those alarmed at what is going on, zines, and am trying to do more locally, but I think it'll take everyone who is aware to help make others aware and to work on alternatives to our current systems, and to support and share our ideas amongst one another.
LOVE the article, but that second couple is a picture of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. They were together 12 years. He did not treat her well. He was physically abusive and used her creatively.
Thank you so much for noticing that and letting me know about it. I didn't look closely enough when I got the photo from an article about Alex Comfort's book -
Happy Valentine's Day. May love (and anarchism) prevail!
Your wonderful article moved me to tears. I have always considered Anarchy to be Love in action, but you put it so well, so succinct. Thank you, thank you ever so much.
Gwyllm
You are very kind. I'm glad it was able to convey the message I was trying to impart, and that it meant so much to you. I worried my words wouldn't be able to convey the strength of my feelings, but it seems that with you they have, and that makes me very happy.
Oh, it is a wonderful posting. I have reposted to around 200k as part of my latest substack. Trying to get people to realize the basis of Anarchism is always worth it!
Thank you again!
Gwyllm
Thank you for sharing it. That explains why I’ve had so many new readers!
AMAZING list of romantic films & books!!
I am drawn to these concepts and hope that you find a method to spread the reach of your message. I have been pondering the problem of isolation. Please read and comment on my little rant:
I would like to suggest that we need an education and outreach effort. Many unengaged individuals are retired, semi-disabled, disenfranchised, isolated, and extremely distanced from the information sphere. This group includes those burdened by the issues that Trump considers unattractive—people who work 60 hours a week just to manage their bills, those with health conditions, parents of special needs children, and individuals with learning disabilities. Many do not have family connections or inherited wealth, which contributes to their disconnection.
A significant portion of these individuals have checked out of serious social and political conversations because they feel overwhelmed. This sense of disconnection is exacerbated by the breakdown of traditional media, the rapid acceleration of technology, and the harsh realities of end-stage capitalism. While many of you navigate online spaces effortlessly, there are countless people that the resistance needs to reach who, like me, are practically Luddites and could really use assistance with online and technical matters.
I do not excuse anyone who knowingly embraces right-wing ideologies, but I suspect there are many who feel ostracized, alone, helpless, and a bit hapless. They might also feel judged for their lack of knowledge. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe many people have been overlooked by the government and institutional organizations. Many of us, particularly those living in "flyover country," would eagerly join the resistance if we simply knew how to get involved.
This perspective is informed by my personal experiences and by a range of social issues that remain unaddressed by mainstream measures. For instance, many organizations gauge the health and well-being of the citizenry through metrics like GDP, stock market performance, or government-reported unemployment rates, which often overlook the real struggles people face.
I agree that there is much more that needs to be done locally and nationally in the US and UK - there are some good YouTubers and TikTokers trying, and some people are doing great work locally. But the efforts need to step up, and I fear us missing this opportunity.
Your points about isolation and disconnection really resonate. You've highlighted a crucial issue - that many people who might be natural allies are cut off from information and engagement not by choice, but by circumstances: working multiple jobs, dealing with health issues, caring for family members, or simply feeling overwhelmed by the pace of technological change. The breakdown of local news and community spaces has made it even harder for people to find ways to connect and get involved too.
I appreciate how you distinguish between those who actively embrace harmful ideologies versus those who feel left behind and disconnected. That's an important nuance that often gets lost in political discussions.
Personally, I've just started doing videos, guides for those alarmed at what is going on, zines, and am trying to do more locally, but I think it'll take everyone who is aware to help make others aware and to work on alternatives to our current systems, and to support and share our ideas amongst one another.
You know that's funny because as an anarchist I am very disgusted by womenists that are over obsessed with their relationship.
It's like relationships are their identity; a couple.
LoL
LOVE the article, but that second couple is a picture of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg. They were together 12 years. He did not treat her well. He was physically abusive and used her creatively.
Thank you so much for noticing that and letting me know about it. I didn't look closely enough when I got the photo from an article about Alex Comfort's book -
https://daily.jstor.org/dr-sex-and-the-anarchist-sex-cookbook/
I've replaced it with one of the illustrations based on Ale and the other Jane. I would hate to give any more attention to someone like that.
The people do not know love