Great write up, Ryan. Associative learning explains a lot, in addition to your points about authority it trains us to avoid radical thinking. From famous cases of repression and assassination to simple social ostracization, and of course the demonization of socialism, the mind associates being too “extreme” with danger.
Thanks Kyle. Was nice to be able to use some of my professional expertise in the service of my political hobby. Great points about how such learning just really turns us off to any kind of radical thinking. I think we can see this very clearly in the hesitance of people to advocate or support for violent resistance in the face of fascism or genocide. There has been significant damage done with the smear campaign against socialism, communism, and anything other than nonviolent resistance which, as we know, really doesn’t accomplish anything without significant political pressure.
Thanks for your vote of confidence. I agree that Substack is a great place for reading up on critical issues. I didn’t want to make it a sales pitch but I appreciate that not everyone has time or desire to read books.
Great write up, Ryan. Associative learning explains a lot, in addition to your points about authority it trains us to avoid radical thinking. From famous cases of repression and assassination to simple social ostracization, and of course the demonization of socialism, the mind associates being too “extreme” with danger.
Thanks for your work here.
Thanks Kyle. Was nice to be able to use some of my professional expertise in the service of my political hobby. Great points about how such learning just really turns us off to any kind of radical thinking. I think we can see this very clearly in the hesitance of people to advocate or support for violent resistance in the face of fascism or genocide. There has been significant damage done with the smear campaign against socialism, communism, and anything other than nonviolent resistance which, as we know, really doesn’t accomplish anything without significant political pressure.
Also read the opposition so as to see their ploys more clearly.
I'd add subscribe to more newsletters like Ryan's.
Many of us don't have time to read political books, or any books.
The Integrity Institute posts some good writings.
Thanks for your vote of confidence. I agree that Substack is a great place for reading up on critical issues. I didn’t want to make it a sales pitch but I appreciate that not everyone has time or desire to read books.
Reason dies alone, and this is why critical education paired with nourishing trusted social relationships is central to any transformative change.
https://open.substack.com/pub/sabini/p/knowledge-in-the-materialist-dialectic
Thank you. Will read with interest.
You had me up until read books - the very nerve : D