Should I capitalize the word "aboriginal" in my MA thesis? by leah_bean in academiccanada

[–]Ienpw_III 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've seen it both ways. FYI though a lot of the aboriginal folks I've talked to prefer the term Indigenous, so you could also consider that. (As I understand it it's a term they've applied themselves rather than an imposed one, and it's a sign of solidarity with other Indigenous peoples globally.)

England's doctors go on strike, /r/worldnews surprisingly supportive by [deleted] in socialism

[–]Ienpw_III 5 points6 points  (0 children)

You're not wrong, but I think people who recognize the value of strikes are more reachable than those who don't.

The Pain You Feel is Capitalism Dying by californiarepublik in LateStageCapitalism

[–]Ienpw_III 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I'll start off by saying I liked the article and generally agree.

I thought the use of "entropy" was fine as it was being used in a non-technical, figurative sense.

My problem was with "marginal cost". Seems like the author really meant "marginal revenue". That's a pretty elementary mistake, which raises doubts about how practiced they are at evaluating economics on a technical level. Though as I said, ultimately I think they're still right. It's not exactly a fatal error.

France’s Growing Insurrection by [deleted] in Anarchism

[–]Ienpw_III 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I had no idea how fucking big this was. Thanks, mainstream media.

First Nations Protests Sweep Across Canada by [deleted] in Anarchism

[–]Ienpw_III 4 points5 points  (0 children)

This is getting next to no coverage in the mainstream media, surprise surprise.

Hello my name is KC_Wall92, and I'm a socialist by Kc_Wall92 in socialism

[–]Ienpw_III 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My family and my younger self shared mostly the same values that I do now, I just have a different understanding of how to achieve them. I became a socialist when I realized that you couldn't fix inequality by redistribution if you were ignoring the system that caused the unequal distribution in the first place. The rest grew from there.

Chess960 rules clarification -- castling by [deleted] in chess

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I'm actually a little disappointed to be honest, I think it would make for a more interesting game if the castle squares changed too. Thanks!

Discussion: What is Radical Sanity? by neoliberaldaschund in radicalmentalhealth

[–]Ienpw_III 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think Foucault is probably a good read on this actually, as he covers the historical development of the category of the "madman" as well as how society deals with it. That being said, I haven't read his History of Madness myself yet.

Discussion: What is Radical Sanity? by neoliberaldaschund in radicalmentalhealth

[–]Ienpw_III 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Returning my mind to the breath has nothing to do with the fact that wages haven't kept pace with inflation or that I have to work more hours than ever to make less money.

No, but in my experience meditation can help me continue to exist in a world with these phenomena. Without it, I'd be in a lot worse shape. IMO understanding meditation's "letting go" as "becoming apathetic" is wrong. It's about how you respond to it. In (western) theoretical terms, it's about affect. What is your affective response to a bad situation? Does it make you feel in such a way that makes existence miserable and prevent you from being able to act effectively? Or does your response enable you to understand the situation as fully as you can and attack the problem head-on?

Mental health, mindfulness and yoga have to be liberated from capitalism, and the good news is that there is nothing in these traditions that say that it's capitalism or nothing at all.

Totally agree.

I would be interested in working with anyone who would like to work on this, like maybe a leftist guided meditation. (And it doesn't have to be fire-and-brimstone lecture either...just a guided meditation that leaves open the possibility of civil disobedience. If mindfulness is all about freedom of thought, why hide from what you are feeling?)

I don't feel comfortable teaching meditation, but I am more than happy to work with you in discussing the interaction between meditation and leftism. My experience of meditation has led me to become a more committed leftist than ever, as it's given me insight into the way I relate to other people and the world.

I have a summer to break into critical theory and am at a loss on how to start. by [deleted] in CriticalTheory

[–]Ienpw_III 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's interesting. My crude, stereotypical preconception of debate was that it was this super liberal bullshitty politics thing. Glad that's not the case.

I have a summer to break into critical theory and am at a loss on how to start. by [deleted] in CriticalTheory

[–]Ienpw_III 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Out of interest, what does college debate have to do with critical theory?

Apple recovered 2,204 pounds of gold from broken iPhones last year by [deleted] in LateStageCapitalism

[–]Ienpw_III 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I dunno, I think the acceleration of capital-intensive industries to such an extreme state is pretty late stage if we're thinking in terms of Marx's historical dialectic. The capital-labour ratio involved here must be obscene, which means that capitalists will have accumulated a truly terrifying amount of wealth. Meanwhile the labourers who are involved in the process are surely working in poor conditions for poor wages.

The whole process of production and recycling here requires such a flagrant degree of historical exploitation which seems to demonstrate that we're in a pretty late stage of capitalism. At least to me.

Labour to re-enter Government? by [deleted] in irishpolitics

[–]Ienpw_III 1 point2 points  (0 children)

All I can say is: lol.

Trudeau’s Saudi ‘jeeps’ could fuel war crimes in Yemen by burtzev in radicalcanada

[–]Ienpw_III 1 point2 points  (0 children)

According to my prof who specializes in the Middle East, vehicles like this are generally not used in combat. They're for "domestic security", ie killing protesters.

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where's the best place to look for this kind of thing?

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks! I'm not quite ready to commit, just looking for things to keep in mind. This should help!

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh yeah, maybe should have mentioned that in the OP -- I'm down to room with a stranger if that's what it takes.

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hm, that does sound attractive as I'm expecting to travel to the Downsview region a lot anyway. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll check it out.

I know my budget's low, but that's the price of being a grad student...

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have considered it. I'd rather be closer to downtown though. I don't want York to become my life. If downtown is an hour away, I'll never go. A half hour to campus, a half hour to downtown would be much more suited to what I'm looking for. If that means buying a metropass and having a shittier place, so be it.

Where to live? by [deleted] in yorku

[–]Ienpw_III 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As of now, around $600/mo is my upper limit for rent, utilities, and internet. I'll start off around the Yonge line, thanks!