The Romance Of Anarcho Communism

I was discussing things with an anarcho communist (which I used to be in another life) and thought it might be some fun to repeat parts of the discussion for your amusement and edification. Unlike my usual this is probably going to go long.

He starts out by proposing free exchange over the internet by peer to peer.

There is one problem with anarchy. It leads to some form of fascism. Read Orwell’s “Homage to Catalonia” to find out how the anarchists were double crossed. It is better IMO to have a state where citizens have some control.

Peer to peer operates over commercial networks. And unless you propose running a civilization by sending messages on mopeds some one with more money/power than you will be controlling the networks. That is a fact of life.

I agree with your ideals. I question your proposed methods of getting from here to there.

He then extolls the virtues of resistance and communism.

“We need to build a culture of resistance.”

Resistance is futile. Really. If you want to do something useful – join the Masters – they will let you be as free as you want to be, mostly. As long as you are useful. And you need not oppress your fellow man to be useful. They need people who can run power plants. Even more people who can design them. And once you are inside teach them something.

Their problem is the same as yours. Fear. Free yourself from fear and then teach them that.

Communism? It is to laugh. The incentives are wrong. Think about the drug war. People will do extraordinary things for profit. Communism doesn’t harness that part of human nature.

Well he objects.

You are confusing “resistance is futile” with “change is not possible”. So let me be clearer.

Resistance is futile. Change IS possible.

Fresh perspective? I was into anarcho communism before you were born. For me your perspective is rather old.

Changing minds works better than resistance. I don’t expect you to see it at your age. Give it 20 or 30 years.

He objects more vociferously.

You don’t get it: They will raise an army and subjugate you. Anarchists don’t do the army thing well.

The slavery you fear is a thing of the mind.

What ever you fear will be used against you. Free yourself from fear. It is the only way to be free.

And I am quite familiar with fractional reserve banking and debt slavery. A devil’s bargain.

I’m 68 – I was probably thinking about these issues well before you were born. If you want a how to manual on how to accomplish your goals the best I know is B. H. L Hart’s “Strategy”

You don’t oppose “them” – you change their minds. The indirect approach. “Their” problem is that they do not think clearly. Help them. Teach them the limits of control. Teach them that no matter how robust the control system there is always a probability of events outside the limits of what can be controlled. Better is an adaptable system. Not too rigid – not too loose. Judgment is required. Teach that. Hayek.

Re: slavery. You have a problem. The vast majority of humanity want to be slaves. Regular food. A nice warm hut. No violence. Free men are far too few.

The Bible explains it in Exodus. Slavery is hard. But the people crave a regular life. The fleshpots of Egypt. And most people will pay an extraordinary price for the fleshpots.

You think “they” are your enemy. When your real enemy is human nature. If you can change that “they” cease to be an issue.

The romance of anarchism is over rated. Buddhism is better. Even better is my religion. Which has no name and no followers but me.

And finally: create wealth. And give it away. I do that here: Space-Time Productions

He then claims to be a malcontent and assumes that befuddles me.

I don’t know what to do with a malcontent? There is nothing to do. So I do nothing. It avoids wasting energy. So why do I discuss with you? Not for you. For lurkers.

If slavery bothers you there is an easy way out. Don’t be a slave.

What you will find generally is that the enticements of slavery are too much for most people to resist. Most folks prefer an easy life to a hard one. And in today’s world as in ages past slavery offered the easiest life. No thinking required. Food and shelter will be provided. Just do the work assigned. You have nothing to offer those people. For those who do not wish to be slaves there is nothing you need offer. They will find a way. Or make one.

Look at herd animals. Most animals in the herd prefer to be on the inside with their noses in the posteriors of others in the middle. Those who want the danger and the free air of the edge are not the commonest. Humans are herd animals. Which is why anarcho dreams do not last. I suggest a study of herd animals.

Here roughly are the facts of life: About 90% want to be slaves. About 9% want to be masters. About 1% want to be free.

The idea of resistance is quite romantic. I was romanced by it at one time myself. Here is what I learned: resistance is futile. But you can educate. As to your idea of sharing – you run up against the two year old mind in most humans. Mine, mine, mine, mine.

You claim anthropology. I claim human nature as evidenced. You can’t beat the “mine” gene. You might as well figure out how to work with it.

He talks about an author, Graeber, who wrote a book: Debt: The First 5,000 Years

I make common cause with all groups. “Them” as well as “us”.

As to debt. Graeber from what I can see makes no mention of the Jewish system which I have studied extensively and which is rather old. The word “jubilee” comes from the Jewish system of debt. And also the Jewish system of slavery. You might want to study it some time. It is very interesting. The Egyptian system of property as well.

You might also try “The Mystery of Capital” by deSoto. There used to be a very good essay on the subject by deSoto online. Look around. deSoto proposes Capitalism without debt based on some very ancient systems. Egypt among others.

The key to escaping the system is to be free of fear.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.

Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting. Sun Tzu

I suggest Buddhism for what ails you.

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As to breaking prohibition. My tactic is to make “endocannabinoid” a household word. I don’t fight. I teach.

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Well that is more than enough. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.