Are you an anarchist but not a member of an anarchist organisation?

[Pickman's model]

.

Good point well made

 

[klang]

Good point well made

let me expand on it:

 

[bellaozzydog]

I’m not even sure what an anarchist is, but have a feeling I would align with a lot of it.

I’ve got Chomsky’s “On anarchism” on kindle I should really get my thumb out my arse and read it

 

[fishfinger]

.

 

[fishfinger]

You’re a much valued member of this community though.

Thank you

 

[klang]

.

I'm glad we are in agreement.

 

[Pickman's model]

.

An excellent point

 

[fishfinger]

I'm glad we are in agreement.

Solidarity dot!

 

[Kevbad the Bad]

I've been in two local anarchist groups, in Croydon in the 1970's and Oxford in the 1980's, but never lived anywhere else with any significant anarchist presence. I have considered joining the ACG, but I'm at too long a distance away to be of real use. Nowadays too many demands on my time as well. So mostly I've got involved in single issue campaigns.

 

[ska invita]

... many organisations are crying out for people who can, say, write articles or layout leaflets

Insert joke about knowing how to Save As PDF here

 

[petee]

I’m not even sure what an anarchist is, but have a feeling I would align with a lot of it.

I’ve got Chomsky’s “On anarchism” on kindle I should really get my thumb out my arse and read it

Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!

David Graeber Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You! 2000

theanarchistlibrary.org

 

[8ball]

I'm too flaky, physically and mentally, to be of much use to any organisation.

I was about to say something pseudy about myself, but I think this sums things up in reality for me too.

Also, I’ve become a lot less certain about a lot of things as I’ve got older.
And I have a wariness of making sudden changes to complex systems that are embedded into people’s life support systems (eg. I’m not too sure about smashing the system when my pacemaker’s battery is due to run out in a year).

And I don’t play well with others.

 

[BristolEcho]

I feel that I align as an anarchist. I have been quite involved in one group that we set up around work stuff, but is on the back burner at the moment. It wasn't strictly anarchist, but pretty much was. I'm loosely (sp) in communication with another group.

I felt myself getting "sucked in" to some of what I saw as a scene around it and didn't really want that so distanced myself from it. Not sure I really fit in with a lot of the social elements that surround Anarchism if that makes sense? Absolutely nothing against it either I just haven't been looking for that.

I'm having a break at the moment from all activity which I think has been good.

 

[bellaozzydog]

Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You!

David Graeber Are You An Anarchist? The Answer May Surprise You! 2000

theanarchistlibrary.org

I read “On bullshit jobs” and couldn’t argue with any of it

 

[Peter Painter]

I think I am an anarchist. At the very least I am interested and inspired by the aims/ideals/principles of anarchism.

But I've never been a member of any anarchist organisation. Unless the Cowley Club counts, which I very much doubt it does. I was a member of that (in fact I probably still am) but haven't been in there for quite a few years.

Not sure why I've never joined any organisation. Have been involved in actions in the past but for some reason have always had an aversion to signing up for membership to any organisation.

Has that been a mistake? Perhaps, i'm not sure.

 

[8ball]

I felt myself getting "sucked in" to some of what I saw as a scene around it and didn't really want that so distanced myself from it. Not sure I really fit in with a lot of the social elements that surround Anarchism if that makes sense? Absolutely nothing against it either I just haven't been looking for that.

So much this too. I was having trouble putting this bit into words. Thanks.

And (and I'm sure I'm not getting this bit across right), I kind of think that the "anarchist tendency" needs to be something embedded into the ethos of a better future society, but I'm not sure it is the only or the dominant thread that should be in there if things are going to be harmonious.

I get a sense from some groups that it's either about an ultimately doomed but worthy fight, or about the world suddenly "flipping" and becoming a reflection of their ideals. The first feels like romantic teenage stuff and the second seems like dangerous fantasy. Sometimes ideas look great and logical in isolation but don't survive contact with the world.

I see the best way forward to be in expanding those already existing parts of social life which are free from authoritarian and coercive relationships. Most notably into the economic and local 'political' realms. People need to be brought along with this, but there is a tribalism and purity-seeking among some anarchists which can push people away. That balance of who to work with, who to reach out to, and who to fight is difficult. Sometimes there is too much "fight everyone".

 

[Kevbad the Bad]

It strikes me that the problem is one of critical mass. Places like London, Bristol, Glasgow etc can rake together enough people (just) to try and make a go of things. Most places can't. It's also difficult to start up, e.g., an anarcho-syndicalist Union with its main aim the overthrow of capitalism with half a dozen members in any one location.

 

[belboid]

As a person with physical and mental challenges I can attest that many organisations are crying out for people who can, say, write articles or layout leaflets.

not to mention editors…


I am in the iww, although it isn’t an anarchist organisation.

 

[klang]

It strikes me that the problem is one of critical mass. Places like London, Bristol, Glasgow etc can rake together enough people (just) to try and make a go of things

I find it goes both ways though - often smaller places give the opportunity form like minded people to meet and make a go of things. London being as big as it is brings its own issues - eg travel can take long enough for out-of-work-stuff to turn into a too-serious commitment.

 

[danny la rouge]

I am in the iww, although it isn’t an anarchist organisation.

Yeah, me too. And no, it’s not.

 

[bellaozzydog]

It’s all sounding a bit Judean peoples front

When do we start making noise and breaking shit

 

[hitmouse]

I find it goes both ways though - often smaller places give the opportunity form like minded people to meet and make a go of things. London being as big as it is brings its own issues - eg travel can take long enough for out-of-work-stuff to turn into a too-serious commitment.

Probably also something to be said for smaller places forcing people to get along with each other a little bit more and not see each other as disposable? Maybe, dunno.

Anyway, I was going to say "I'm a member of the urban75 forums, if that counts?" as a joke... but then on reflection, it's not entirely 100% a joke. I think there is a real question there as to what functions formal organisations serve that aren't met by a) informal groupings like SpookyFrank mentioned above, and b) internet-based networking like this very site, now that we can send people PDFs and stuff.
And to be absolutely clear, I'm definitely not saying "silly nerds, twitter can do anything a formal organisation can do but better, and Malatesta would 100% deffo agree with me on this", just that I think the questions of, firstly, "what is useful anarchist activity anyway?" and secondly "what forms of organisation are best suited to those particular activity?" are always useful to think through, whether you're a member of a formal organisation or not.

 

[tim]

Anarchy Organisation.

Surely that's an oxymoron?

Moron

 

[Riklet]

IMO a lot of anarchist organisations appeal to anarchists.. so that's who they attract.

This is obvs different from 20-30s Spain or 60s France or 1917-22 Russia or whatever other period there were significant anarchist movements. It's not as simple as being a failing of anarchist organisations because perhaps there are more alternatives to anarchist movements nowadays for those in need or looking to provide mutual solidarity. Ot arguably perhaps there are fewer people/groups in dire need and keen to do something about it. But yeah, in the UK ive never seen anarchist groups out there much or in unexpected places... unlike in Spain for example (big anarcho syndicalist union protest outside a Seville themepark on the edge of town at like 10am for example or shutting down a whole train station one afternoon in the week).

 

[ska invita]

I think most people have very limited time to give, and so if they are going to give that time they want it to be as "effective/affective" as possible....that process of working out how worthwhile it is may or may not lead to joining an anarcho group

 

[hitmouse]

Also, my local mutual aid group is definitely not an anarchist organisation, cos it's not explicitly anti-capitalist or anti-state, but I do reckon that up until 2020, being part of a self-organised, non-hierarchical, local mutual aid group with my neighbours is something that would've seemed like a wildly ambitious pipe dream for most/all(?) UK anarchists. So that is something, even if it's not wildly exciting most of the time?

 

[danny la rouge]

Not sure I really fit in with a lot of the social elements that surround Anarchism if that makes sense?

I mean, I don’t want to get sectarian or anything, but I guess it depends on which organisation. There are some that are more lifestyle-ish than others. I wouldn’t be interested in a lifestyle type organisation. That sort of “scene” is a bit of a turn off for me. And I suspect for a lot of people.

 

[Sue]

Also, my local mutual aid group is definitely not an anarchist organisation, cos it's not explicitly anti-capitalist or anti-state, but I do reckon that up until 2020, being part of a self-organised, non-hierarchical, local mutual aid group with my neighbours is something that would've seemed like a wildly ambitious pipe dream for most/all(?) UK anarchists. So that is something, even if it's not wildly exciting most of the time?

It sounds good and most valuable stuff isn't wildly exciting most of the time. But it's the bread and butter of community organising (whatever that community looks like/you're trying to achieve).

 

[danny la rouge]

So much this too. I was having trouble putting this bit into words. Thanks.

And (and I'm sure I'm not getting this bit across right), I kind of think that the "anarchist tendency" needs to be something embedded into the ethos of a better future society, but I'm not sure it is the only or the dominant thread that should be in there if things are going to be harmonious.

I get a sense from some groups that it's either about an ultimately doomed but worthy fight, or about the world suddenly "flipping" and becoming a reflection of their ideals. The first feels like romantic teenage stuff and the second seems like dangerous fantasy. Sometimes ideas look great and logical in isolation but don't survive contact with the world.

I see the best way forward to be in expanding those already existing parts of social life which are free from authoritarian and coercive relationships. Most notably into the economic and local 'political' realms. People need to be brought along with this, but there is a tribalism and purity-seeking among some anarchists which can push people away. That balance of who to work with, who to reach out to, and who to fight is difficult. Sometimes there is too much "fight everyone".

Yeah, it does make me wonder whether anarchist-communism just needs another name. There is certainly a lot of baggage to live down in both of the words.

 

[danny la rouge]

being part of a self-organised, non-hierarchical, local mutual aid group with my neighbours

Whether one labels that anarchist or not, that’s precisely what I feel we need to be about supporting. Almost like we could rename the movement “direct action” and achieve the same goals.