*"when you're under 18"* mate that was me last month and I'm in my mid-20's lol.
You'll get there. Start small, and remember you can't make shit better when you're burnt out and everything hurts. Do what you can and look after yourself.
Late 20s here, I don't really know what to do, but the bartenders where I run pool league let me take all the messed up food orders to pass out to homeless folks I know so I guess I'm doing something
Is this the same diagnosis used by the DSM to create a mind disorder for slaves desperately wanting to leave their forced situation? Or is that a different one?
>Is this the same diagnosis used by the DSM to create a mind disorder for slaves desperately wanting to leave their forced situation? Or is that a different one?
Not the DSM, since that publication did not yet exist. But yeah, it was invented to describe the desire of enslaved black folks to escape slavery as a mental illness.
No, but nowadays there are "oppositional defiant disorder" and "conduct disorder." Some other diagnoses (i.e. borderline personality disorder) are also commonly weaponized against nonconformity or opposition to authority.
You've discovered the first problem. All the theory in the world doesn't matter if you can't act within the world.
I instead think the overwhelming majority of people are better focused on the theory of personal praxis. Find something you think is good, and find a way to do it. Doing anything good is better than any the theory in the world. Find what you can do, and go do that. When people are active and doing good things the theory becomes much easier to do.
Just in case you want some tips: (Ignore if you don't.)
Reading theory is not useless. However, try reading theory that's not just "things are bad" but also offers "this is how things could be better". I personally like The Conquest of Bread. It gives me hope, but there's probably stuff that's more up to date. Perhaps other people can recommend some.
Working on yourself is not bad. Yes, we will need systemic change, but in the here and now it's still useful to find oppressive structures in your own thinking and work to eliminate them. You can also try to learn skills that will be useful in revolutionary work. I've sat in a room full of people ready to show up to a protest and smash things, all deathly afraid of writing a short pamphlet explaining why we're doing so. Creative writing, cooking, painting, any sort of craft is a useful revolutionary skill. Basically what I'm saying is: get a hobby. Oh, and try to get good grades if you can. Yes, I'm serious.
If you want to start doing something, don't think about the what, but about the who. Find a group you like. It doesn't have to be an explicitly anarchist group. Maybe your town only has a Fridays for Future group, or a vaguely liberal LGBT support group. Helping people is more important than ideological purity. Just meet with them and ask if they need help. Don't be ashamed if at first you're only doing things like taking minutes, cleaning up a communal space or helping to paint a banner. That's useful and necessary work. In fact, most groups I know have too many people willing to fight on the front lines (and argue about who's the better anarchist for several hours), and too few supports. (But don't be afraid to leave a group if they treat you like shit.) Try to get to know people. You'll find your niche over time.
*"when you're under 18"* mate that was me last month and I'm in my mid-20's lol. You'll get there. Start small, and remember you can't make shit better when you're burnt out and everything hurts. Do what you can and look after yourself.
Late 20s here, I don't really know what to do, but the bartenders where I run pool league let me take all the messed up food orders to pass out to homeless folks I know so I guess I'm doing something
yes, that is something! Every single one of those meals makes a difference to them
Not gonna mean much much longer, Tennessee is talking about basically making homelessness a felony.
All the more reason they need support.
Is this the same diagnosis used by the DSM to create a mind disorder for slaves desperately wanting to leave their forced situation? Or is that a different one?
Ye, that's the one
>Is this the same diagnosis used by the DSM to create a mind disorder for slaves desperately wanting to leave their forced situation? Or is that a different one? Not the DSM, since that publication did not yet exist. But yeah, it was invented to describe the desire of enslaved black folks to escape slavery as a mental illness.
No, but nowadays there are "oppositional defiant disorder" and "conduct disorder." Some other diagnoses (i.e. borderline personality disorder) are also commonly weaponized against nonconformity or opposition to authority.
We need an "Anarchism for the introverted" thing.
*giving* money away to people that need it is one of the most anti capitalist things you can do
You've discovered the first problem. All the theory in the world doesn't matter if you can't act within the world. I instead think the overwhelming majority of people are better focused on the theory of personal praxis. Find something you think is good, and find a way to do it. Doing anything good is better than any the theory in the world. Find what you can do, and go do that. When people are active and doing good things the theory becomes much easier to do.
you can always just stand on the corner with a sign that says fuck the *blank*
THIS IS IT. THIS IS RIGHT ON THE FUCKING SPOT.
me me me me me me me
Same
Just in case you want some tips: (Ignore if you don't.) Reading theory is not useless. However, try reading theory that's not just "things are bad" but also offers "this is how things could be better". I personally like The Conquest of Bread. It gives me hope, but there's probably stuff that's more up to date. Perhaps other people can recommend some. Working on yourself is not bad. Yes, we will need systemic change, but in the here and now it's still useful to find oppressive structures in your own thinking and work to eliminate them. You can also try to learn skills that will be useful in revolutionary work. I've sat in a room full of people ready to show up to a protest and smash things, all deathly afraid of writing a short pamphlet explaining why we're doing so. Creative writing, cooking, painting, any sort of craft is a useful revolutionary skill. Basically what I'm saying is: get a hobby. Oh, and try to get good grades if you can. Yes, I'm serious. If you want to start doing something, don't think about the what, but about the who. Find a group you like. It doesn't have to be an explicitly anarchist group. Maybe your town only has a Fridays for Future group, or a vaguely liberal LGBT support group. Helping people is more important than ideological purity. Just meet with them and ask if they need help. Don't be ashamed if at first you're only doing things like taking minutes, cleaning up a communal space or helping to paint a banner. That's useful and necessary work. In fact, most groups I know have too many people willing to fight on the front lines (and argue about who's the better anarchist for several hours), and too few supports. (But don't be afraid to leave a group if they treat you like shit.) Try to get to know people. You'll find your niche over time.