I think making us purchase happy, while indeed very beneficial to the owning class, is still just a side effect (E: of the length of the work day, not capitalism in general) to the real reason (and why the 8 hour work day is a compromise people had to fight, and die, for) - keeping us tired and hungry (and not only for indulgence) and at risk of losing it all if we don’t go to work tomorrow keeps us from having the time, energy, and community (because capitalism encourages crab mentality) to organise and revolt against them, and their oppressive systems.

True…

Though an “it” at the end of that sentence would have gone a long way to reduce my initial confusion lmao😂

To toss off

Ah yes, the high road, the best know cure for and deterrent of fascism… 🙄

further incite the right, convince them that they are fighting the holy fight, and accelerate violence against the citizenry?

Literally already happening.

How anyone can think that rolling over and playing dead while fascists stomp their way in to (more) power is a better way to “fight” them, than, I don’t know, actually fighting them, is honestly mind blowing.

Check your privilege, the fact that you aren’t impacted by their ongoing war, doesn’t mean no one else is.

Depression and mental illness leads some to want to go with a bang

No, they really fucking don’t, privilege and the sense of entitlement it gives do.

Like seriously, beyond the bullshit that is scapegoating mental illness because it’s easier than facing reality, that’s literally not how depression works, nor “mental illness” in general, especially when you consider that mentally ill people are significantly more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrate it.

Stop perpetuating this lazy counterproductive bullshit.

We have the Bolsheviks to thank for it! (E: to be clear, and as will be evident by the links I shared, I am not a Leninist lol)

My summation of the concept is obviously superficial, here are some good places to start getting a better idea of what it is and where we might start:

https://www.weareplanc.org/modules/wtf-is-dual-power/

https://medium.com/@anarchist.environmentalist/an-anarchist-dual-power-e911edf66ad7

https://blog.pmpress.org/2019/09/02/alternative-institutions-or-dual-power/

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/petr-kropotkin-mutual-aid-a-factor-of-evolution

https://theanarchistlibrary.org/library/the-anarchist-faq-editorial-collective-an-anarchist-faq-full (there isn’t a specific dual power bullet point, but it does come up, and in general this document is worth looking through)

And would gladly work on a project like this to kill the time.

It’s not a “project” it’s a way of life, and it’s not something you should ever engage in to “kill time” but because you believ it is possible to create a better society.

I worry that they’ll just roll over us with their tanks and drones unless the oligarchy is actually destroyed in the revolution.

They are going to do that at some point anyway, your options are to lie down and take it, or to try and create an alternative (yes, abolishing the current systems that control our lives will require violence, a tiny percentage of that they inflict on us, but you don’t free yourself from oppression by asking nicely).

And I just don’t see how that can happen with the majority of people looking left or right instead of up.

That’s the whole entire point of building community and solidarity.

Lol thanks, I have my moments… 😳😂

That’s why instead of grasping at the existing system until its dying breath and focusing on electioneering* and playing within the rules they’ve set out for us, and eventually just wait around for them to fight it out for power over us, it’s more important to focus on building up our communities and creating alternatives to the existing systems, or “dual power” (from communal fridges and pantries, to libraries for everything from books to tools to sewing patterns to seeds, communal child care, educational clubs, agitprop groups, and so on and on and on) so that when things inevitably collapse (because that’s where capitalism concludes), we have existing networks and frameworks and solidarity to build on, from the bottom up.

*Before the libs derail like they always do - I never said don’t vote, but focusing the amount of energy that you do on doing the bare minimum within the rules set out to you by your oppressors doesn’t make you antifascist freedom fighters.

[email protected]

A lot of replies here ignoring the obvious - patriarchy, religion, and capitalism.

I’ll be honest, if you don’t have an understanding of how deeply these (along with white supremacy, cis heteronormativity, ablesim, classism) impact not only society at large, but our individual choices (or lack thereof), and it sounds like you don’t (E: among other reasons - the existence of feminism doesn’t negate the impacts of the aforementioned systems, if anything, it exists because those systems are still completely pervasive and need fighting against), I can’t really help at this point, there’s just too much to unpack and it’s not work I’m interested in doing for you.

As for your ulterior motives - the first is easy to resolve by opening a search engine and looking it up, the second absolutely makes you sound like a creep, and also provides a perfect demonstration of the kind of external pressure we face that more often than not compels us to cover up - we feel you “appreciating” our “pups” (aka your “male gaze” or simply you objectifying us. And no, trying to pull an “all genders sexualise” doesn’t change the fact that cis men are who predominantly harm women and others afab). And it’s fucking gross.

Maybe you should read my first reply again, this time try and actually listen to the experience of a person explaining to you the pressures they and others like them face from society that you never have, instead of dismissing it because it makes you uncomfortable to confront, and then invest some of your own time actually researching the topic, not of why people wear bras, but of how fundamentally social constructs impact society and all the individuals in it, and maybe you’ll start to get an idea of what the actual answer to your question is.

But I have a feeling you’re not interested in doing any of that, so I’ll just leave you with this - boobs don’t exist for you.

A lot of replies here ignoring the obvious - patriarchy, religion, and capitalism.

There are plenty of examples of societies past and present, for the vast majority of the time humans existed probably, where breasts are free to exist as they are. The people those breasts are attached to do all manner of work and activities without hinderance, or chafed nipples. Just like those with flat chests do.

The reason that in (especially our western) modern world we are expected to wear bras has to do with puritanism, shame, control, and profiteering from all of the above.

Comfort is categorically not a priority of the billion dollar bra industry, the trillion dollar advertising industry, nor those who demand we wear them to be “respectable”, lest we “excite” their, or their son’s, urges or “distract” them from their important manly duties (and if we don’t, and they attack us, it’d be our fault for not being “modest” enough and “asking for it”).

When we have all been socialised with these demands and expectations for centuries, they become so deeply ingrained, it’s really hard to separate from our own free will, and yet ask any group of people who wear bras what the best part of the day is, and they’ll tell you it’s taking it off.

And to be clear - this isn’t a judgment of anyone who wears a bra, I wear an underwire once in a blue moon which I hate, but am usually in a sports bra because I feel more comfortable with everything held in place (and also have nosy neighbours I’m not that friendly with), it’s about questioning why I feel more comfortable that way, and how much of that is natural vs manufactured by a society that demands I keep everything held in place, hidden (unless they’re “required” to sell something or entertain the mens), and forever impossibly youthful and perky.

Anyway, I’m stoned too and I tend to ramble, so I think I 'll leave it at that for now lol

our trans brothers and sisters.

Just a tip, while we’re at it - “siblings” is more inclusive, since not everyone fits in a binary! Same goes for using “folks” (or one of several other alternatives) instead of “ladies ad gentlemen”.

Also, I’ve definitely seen that joke made before in that context, so you can feel relief that the idea is out there lol

This may sound weird

We should absolutely normalise thanking those who work to produce our food.

Ha, it’s your cake day today…

Ideally they’re being safe and watching out for you, but don’t gamble on it

Also, accidents just happen - people have heart attacks, strokes, seizures, machines malfunction, all sorts of shit can suddenly happen that is out of anyone’s control, so even if someone is being safe and watching out for you, it isn’t worth the gamble…

This is evil

(not exactly the same noise but can be used to the same effect)

Alternatively - hand farts for the times it’s too hot to want to stick a hand in your armpit lol

How do you deal with external problems you can’t solve around you? What is the moral thing to do here?

You don’t, you deal with your internal problems, like classism, ableism, and general ignorance of these people’s circumstances. Instead take the time to understand, learn empathy, show compassion and solidarity, instead of disdain. You don’t have to give people money you don’t have, but the least you can do is show them basic respect (no, homeless people aren’t all alcoholics or addicts, but many of those who do drink or use drugs do so to try and ease the deep distress of being homeless. And no, homeless people aren’t dangerous, those who create a society where they have to exist to keep people like you in line, are). (Edit to clarify: once you care about homeless people, rather than fear and/or look down at them, and understand the many reasons that lead to homelessness, you’d be equipped to actually tackle the systemic issues, but you can’t do that if you refuse to see them)

You are literally a blink of an eye away from being in their shoes, act like it.

We aren’t devolving into libertarianism where everyone hires private security.

The fact that that’s the only option you can imagine (and that you’ve clearly refused to further educate yourself about other options that definitely do exist, by reading any of the links provided, some of which address your specific brand of bullshit, or any other relevant information that is freely available to you, because they challenge said bullshit) is down to you, not a reflection of reality.

The problem will fix itself in months.

Lmmfao, sorry, not that I was, but I doubly can’t take you seriously if you honestly believe this, since it removes any last shred of doubt about your wilful ignorance…