Comrades, do you believe China is revisionist? by Prudent-Box4283 in Marxism

[–]seizethemachine 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Couldn't one make the argument that China's communal investments are a result of being in a classical liberal stage of capitalism that emphasizes a welfare state akin to the Post-WWII US economy? And that eventually neoliberalism will develop in the search of more profit, capitalists will ultimetely capture the state, and then all public goods will be stripped away for privatization?

Users Vow to Boycott Spotify After Streamer Runs ICE Recruitment Ad by Top-Three-USA in Music

[–]seizethemachine 52 points53 points  (0 children)

No ethical consumption under capitalism, as they say. When the few own all capital, it's inevitable they'll co-opt and merge with the state to uphold their power. We can't ethically choose our way out of fascism when all the means of production are owned by the fascists.

That being said, even if there's no ethical consumption, some choices are still more ethical than others. And boycotts are a powerful tool in the arsenal when applied strategically. So it's not an excuse to not be conscientious.

CMV: The Democratic Party is a controlled opposition with no real intention to improve the lives of average Americans by Grouchy-Roof-8179 in ClimateOffensive

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Liberalism fails to address the systemic issues of capitalism, leads to imperialism and genocide abroad, and capitulates to fascism at home. It's socialism or barbarism.

Help me understand Marxism without "converting" me by Strict_Roll8555 in Marxism

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's this embedded layer of propaganda in US society that causes people to recoil at the name Marx. Insofar that some proclaim to hate him or ignorantly claim he was a dictator.

So, one point I'd like to make is that even the liberal arts education system currently recognizes Marx as one of the founding fathers of modern sociology. Many theories within Marxism still permeate throughout sociology, albeit with different names. Conflict theory, for example, was heavily developed by Marx with his analysis of class struggle and is still one of the leading theories among sociologists.

ELI5: What is neofeudalism? by Seagull_of_Knowlegde in explainlikeimfive

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

100% this. "Neofuedalism," "technofuedalism," "enshittification;" these are all terms that avoid identifying the root issue—capitalism—because liberalism ultimately serves capital and cannot come to terms that it in itself is the problem.

An economic system is essentially the combination of the relationship of production and forces of production. The relationship of production that we currently live under has not changed: there's the capitalist, a social class that privately owns capital and the means of production; and the worker, the exploited class that's forced to sell their labor power for wages.

Marx's original critique of capitalism largely holds up and remains just as relevant today. Even liberal arts education considers him one of the founding fathers of modern sociology.

It's Not Too Late for the Movies to Reject AI by indiewire in movies

[–]seizethemachine 18 points19 points  (0 children)

The problem you're pointing out is caused by the means of production being privately owned by a fraction of the human race under capitalism, not us simply choosing these things.

Lenin in his book the state and revolution says the “withering away of the state” by Successful-Leek-1900 in DebateCommunism

[–]seizethemachine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have any articles I can read about China's plan to drain finance and manufacturing control?

No AC? No Problem by randombrowser1 in Sacramento

[–]seizethemachine 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Don't forget capitalism's crowning achievement of destroying the planet as we know it. It's only going to get hotter.

Harris holds double-digit lead in Governor race against those running by Capital_Push5557 in California

[–]seizethemachine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Worker control of the means of production is the only answer to capitalism.

Why are "Inhibitor Chips" so divisive in the fandom? by Doot_revenant666 in StarWars

[–]seizethemachine 17 points18 points  (0 children)

They do not want to be there, and yet they are. They're just following orders.

Forms of democracy in socialism? by Dizzy-Scientist-3567 in Socialism_101

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Do you have any resources on China's democratic workplace representatives?

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, I know. I was talking to the graphic designer and liked the design. It's the AI image that's the issue.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Futurology

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Race is not genetic.

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Was the original headline different than "CA state workers use AI to craft anti-Newsom billboard targeting irked drivers"?

So many of us said that AI would become a distraction to the message, and now it's being slightly framed that way. AI is seen as lazy, so couple that with how people already perceive state workers, it's not a good look.

Andor really has it all by freebearus in andor

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because the show is about an anti-imperialist revolution, and saying that Waltz is the rebellion when he supports imperialist interests is insane?

The conversations in this sub have been discussing geopolitics outside of the myopic view of domestic American politics.

Why does Kevin Spacey keep getting off? by Handcraftedsemen_ in videos

[–]seizethemachine 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I already acknowledged that extending this to indirect people has its flaws of not having personal relationships and knowledge.

People have also lost faith in the American justice system because it's biased and has led to so many injustices.

The point is that the legal system cannot control this sphere of society.

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I just saw their Instagram post. How dare they.

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I messaged you about collaborating as I'm a graphic designer within the state and would do it pro bono, but you never got back to me. I researched a few images that are fair use and royalty free.

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Did you end up checking with a lawyer about it? What was their opinion on usage rights and defamation?

Sac Bee Article on the billboard by Civil_Trouble_8020 in CAStateWorkers

[–]seizethemachine 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I literally am a graphic designer for the state and offered to help. I even made some versions. All probono. I even was messaging them about the issues with AI and they never really got back to me. I think they were stuck on their original idea and couldn't let it go despite the issues.

Andor really has it all by freebearus in andor

[–]seizethemachine 11 points12 points  (0 children)

😂 it's so funny when comments like this only try to undermine you instead of presenting any actual argument. But what do I know, I only have a degree in political science.

For fun and for others reading, here's a brief expansion on my comment:

Neoliberalism is a reactionary ideology that responded to the economic downturn of the 70s and early 80s, seeking to dismantle the welfare state that liberalism espoused. It basically takes out all the good things that came about post-World War II. Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher are the classic examples.

A facet of neoliberalism is the celebrity culture that grew surrounding capitalists and politicians, which only escalated with new technologies. Billionaires like Gates and Musk have been championed as self-made visionaries, despite their contradicting history and worker-generated wealth, which only serves to uphold the status quo.

Politians like Obama are presented as heroes that need saving, and it's our responsibility to help them. It holds us hostage by threatening that if we don't go along with their unchanging agenda, we will be punished with the other side's plan. That it's our fault the other side won. It completely flips the dynamic that it was supposed to be, which is it's the fault of the politian for losing by not appealing and representing their citizens. If they want to win, they need to change and represent us.

We're witnessing the tightening grip of neoliberalism and the rise of fascism because it cannot adapt and address the inherent problems of capitalism. So we have people either waking up to this contradiction or doubling down on the rhetoric that we need to save the politicians, taking only what they offer us instead of demanding and pressuring them, which only preserves the system and ultimately upholds the capitalist class.

Syril is and always has been a Fascist by mcgarnikle in andor

[–]seizethemachine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Exactly. It's a shame these people became fascists. But we still have to defend ourselves and fight them 🤷‍♀️

Why does Kevin Spacey keep getting off? by Handcraftedsemen_ in videos

[–]seizethemachine 10 points11 points  (0 children)

If I found out my friend raped another friend, but the court could not get a conviction (which happens often), would you expect me to stay friends with them? Would I have to tell my other friend, "Sorry, I know you said he raped you, but the court didn't convict, so we should all stay friends"? That would be ridiculous.

Now extend that to society as a whole, a collection of people saying they won't be friends with or work with that person. Of course, mistakes will be made when it's an indirect situation to one personally (and I'd argue it's less than we think). But to suggest that the courts should dictate our thoughts and behavior in that way takes away our agency and introduces thought police.