[DJP]

I think this video definitely has something we should be using. Instead of pointing out why people are wrong, which only strengthens their beliefs, we should ask them to explain why they believe what they do, the process of having to come up with an explanation softens peoples views

[DJP]

For a history of the WW2 I'd highly recomend this book:http://www.zero-books.net/books/unpatriotic-history-of-the-second-world-warThere's a talk by the author in our audio section:http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/audio/unpatriotic-history-2nd-world-war

[DJP]

ALB wrote:

So what do we do then?

Perhaps we could try to build a movement working towards a socialist society. We could publish literature, hold meetings and debates throughout the country, write to the press and state our case wherever possible on the media. We could run weekend educational conferences, sell tapes and pamphlets, hand out leaflets, contest elections, and discuss our ideas with people wherever we can.Who's game?

[DJP]

Yes, there are no shortcuts to socialism. Even if capitalism could be made to collapse by workers choosing to live more ascetic lives the resut would not be socialism. The only thing that is missing for the establishment of socialism is a majority that is conscious of the need for it and organises politically to get it. Unfortunately it is still a long road ahead…

[DJP]

Richard wrote:

What you're describing are not basic comforts. You have to decide for yourself what "basic comforts" means.

..So long as your definition agrees with yours right?

[DJP]

In short because they're Leninists..There's two articles / videos here which I like:https://kapitalism101.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/the-law-of-value-2-the-fetishism-of-commodities/https://kapitalism101.wordpress.com/2009/08/15/manufacturing-consent/And this….http://www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2011/no-1280-april-2011/brief-history-public-relations

[DJP]

There might be something of use in the article but if draws on the kind of 'Marxism' of Lukacs, Gramsci and Althusser so I'd be inclined to not put that much weight on it…

[DJP]

stuartw2112 wrote:

On ideology and the impossibility of communication: Yes, I agree

In that case I don't understand you! 

[DJP]

Young Master Smeet wrote:

Either one can make non-ideological claims about the world, or one cannot. 

Though this of course depends on how broad you defininition of 'ideology'… Define it too broadly and I don't think you're saying anything of much use.

[DJP]

alanjjohnstone wrote:

Alternatively, there might be something in the series "Ideology for Dummies" i can read…

Actually "Ideology: A Very Short Introduction" by Michael Freeden isn't too bad.

[DJP]

LBird wrote:

Last year you and ALB maintained that the 'earth going round the sun' is an absolute truth.

Well no, that's not what we where saying. You just read people so that they say what you want them to. I have no more time to waste with you.Ciao.

[DJP]

LBird wrote:

robbo wrote:

…a self-critical open-minded undogmatic  approach that is supposed to be the hall mark of scientific endeavour where "the truth" is something that is never absolute but only provisional.

That's interesting, robbo, So, you oppose ALB and DJP's view on science?

I can't see anything to disagree with in the quote from Robbo above….What do you think "ALB's and DJP's" view on science is?

[DJP]

The worst problem we face is the legacy of 100 years of reformist "socialism" and leninst "communism", this has muddied the waters, perhaps irrecoverably. When or if socialism happens the odds are, i think, that it will not be called socialism and the the socialist party of great britian will not be THE socialist party.Right now it is not hard to convince people that there is something wrong, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if "it's a nice idea but…." is the most common responce to our case. With the "but…" relating to some kind of idea about "human nature".I think those are the two greatest barriers we have to overcome…

[DJP]

That is the golden question. I don't think there's any single most effective way. All we can do as a minority is spread the message in any and every way we can. Sorry that's not a very satisfactory answer but I don't think there is a simple one…

[DJP]

Aufheben have made available online there good review of his Debt book here:http://libcom.org/library/5000-years-or-debtIn short his theory has nothing of use for revolutionaries..

[Author]

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