It isn't a radical or new concept that Nathan could just read any number of other books on Marxism and Marxist economics if he actually seeks to learn about it rather than quote tweeting randoms on Twitter. He could actually ask in good faith without being dismissive about it. Instead, he does "old books bad".
Nathan could just read any number of other books on Marxism and Marxist economics if he actually seeks to learn
And here's exactly what he's criticizing in these tweets: people who fall back on "read these books if you want to learn anything, and if you don't, you're an idiot."
Did he say not to read any books, ever? Did he say not to read any books about socialism? Or did he say that relying heavily on a book from generations ago is worse than making a case for socialism today?
In early 1968, the [Black Panther] party sold copies of Mao's Little Red Book to university students in order to buy firearms. Soon thereafter, they made the book required reading and began adopting the Maoist “serve the people” model of political activity.
The Black Panther Party could teach people how to read, starting with Mao and Marx.
there’s newish short books written by people like Michael Parenti that summarize the concepts in the old books
He's not saying don't read those books; hell, he refers to a modern leftist author right there in the screencap. He's saying that we should be summarizing leftist ideas for modern audiences and for our modern situation, not just demanding people read something from the Civil War era.
He’s not saying don’t read those books... He’s saying that we should be summarizing leftist ideas for modern audiences and for our modern situation, not just demanding people read something from the Civil War era.
Again: he's not saying "don't read Marx." He's saying don't dogmatically demand that other people read Marx as a prerequisite to agreeing with socialism.
What makes you say that? He runs a magazine that publishes socialist literature and wrote a book called "Why You Should Be a Socialist." And he's not criticizing Marx's ideas here; he's saying not to treat Marx's writings as holy writ. I like Star Wars, but it weirds me the fuck out when people treat it as something near-spiritual.
Leftists can disagree about stuff without operating in bad faith.
I think he just generally dislikes how propagandised against Marx is and what a huge mountain of hostility and distortion there is to correct in order to forge a path forwards. He therefore wants to never ever mention the name for fear of the hostility it will create in those he is seeking to reach.
He is an opportunist trying to avoid the harder but correct path.
Old books can absolutely be inaccessible to modern audiences. This isn't a new or a radical concept.
It isn't a radical or new concept that Nathan could just read any number of other books on Marxism and Marxist economics if he actually seeks to learn about it rather than quote tweeting randoms on Twitter. He could actually ask in good faith without being dismissive about it. Instead, he does "old books bad".
just tell him to read the modern socialism for dummies books
And here's exactly what he's criticizing in these tweets: people who fall back on "read these books if you want to learn anything, and if you don't, you're an idiot."
READING BOOKS IS HOW YOU LEARN THINGS IM GOING FUCKING CRAZY AT THIS STUPID BULLSHIT
Did he say not to read any books, ever? Did he say not to read any books about socialism? Or did he say that relying heavily on a book from generations ago is worse than making a case for socialism today?
The Black Panther Party could teach people how to read, starting with Mao and Marx.
Is he saying not to read any socialist literature? He runs a magazine that publishes socialist literature.
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He's not saying don't read those books; hell, he refers to a modern leftist author right there in the screencap. He's saying that we should be summarizing leftist ideas for modern audiences and for our modern situation, not just demanding people read something from the Civil War era.
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Again: he's not saying "don't read Marx." He's saying don't dogmatically demand that other people read Marx as a prerequisite to agreeing with socialism.
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His take on Lenin is shit, but what does that have to do with this thread?
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What makes you say that? He runs a magazine that publishes socialist literature and wrote a book called "Why You Should Be a Socialist." And he's not criticizing Marx's ideas here; he's saying not to treat Marx's writings as holy writ. I like Star Wars, but it weirds me the fuck out when people treat it as something near-spiritual.
Leftists can disagree about stuff without operating in bad faith.
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The guy publishes a socialist magazine. Do you think he disagrees with everything Marx ever said, or is he maybe making a different point here?
I think he just generally dislikes how propagandised against Marx is and what a huge mountain of hostility and distortion there is to correct in order to forge a path forwards. He therefore wants to never ever mention the name for fear of the hostility it will create in those he is seeking to reach.
He is an opportunist trying to avoid the harder but correct path.
why yes i am certain he disagrees with the materialist conception of history