I don't see what the purpose of this comment is. On Authority is 8 minutes long to read, and provides the general Marxist understanding of "authoritarianism." This isn't like telling someone to read Capital or Losurdo's Liberalism: A Counter History (though you should read them when you get the chance), it's an 8 minute long essay that is directly applicable to the topic at hand.

[+] Devjavu@lemmy.dbzer0.com -4 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

[removed by mod]

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 11 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Reading Capital is a great thing, I'm personally wrapping up volume 2 and will be moving onto volume 3 shortly.

As for On Authority, it explains the nuances of the Marxist explanation of power dynamics, and what is necessary and unnecessary. It's useful, and short. Capital spends over 3 volumes describing the subject of its title, and I wouldn't use an ableist insult like calling someone "insane" for suggesting its study.

I'm well aware of the shortcomings of just telling people to "read theory." I made an intro Marxist-Leninist reading list myself, and try to make it more accessible by including audiobooks where I can. That being said, I have yet to encounter anyone that has refused reading an 8 minute essay for being too long. Engels isn't speaking with purple prose here, it is a concise analysis.

Ultimately what your comment cones across as is saying nobody should ever read theory, and we should all just vibe our way forward.

[–] Devjavu@lemmy.dbzer0.com -5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Ok, I get that the word insane can be used as an ableist term, but I was not referring to it as such. I meant it in it's literal sense, so do not frame me like that. I myself have had moments in my life where I had my sanity slip. From my viewpoint, being the person who I am, just going around in public and asking people to read an 8 minute text is insane. Doesn't matter hoe good the text is, that is what someone who has lost their sanity would do.

As for readin 8 minutes worth of text: If you want to encounter people that can not read through that, first of all, nice to meet you, second of all you have to do is to go to c/ADHD, you'll find plenty. It's also a difference if it's just some dude posting a comment with a link to that text, being the equivalent to asking a stranger you just met to read a pamphlet, or actually dedicatedly talking to that person, as they are automatically way more invested.

I find it incredibly pretentious that just because I didn't speak for the online link of a certain group, it is automatically assumed, that I am a "proudly acting in bad faith" and being called a lib, like it was. On top of being insulted of being illeterate of course and the like. That is insane as well.

[–] Cowbee@lemmy.ml 12 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I myself have ADHD. I find reading for long periods of time to be a struggle, and have had to figure out what works best for me. I know what works for me may not work for everyone. What I take issue with is you mocking someone for posting an extremely relevant and short essay that is very much on topic.

You're taking the stance that because you have struggles with reading essay-length and longer, that you can just mock people recommending theory to others. Rather than asking for a summary, or an audiobook version if that works for you, you just decided to insult the user recommending the theory. It's disingenuous wrecker behavior.

[–] BrainInABox@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Average western "leftist"

[–] KimBongUn420@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Stay ignorant and mad lib