Contrary to what anyone (just about anyone, with feewww exceptions) has ever said about what communism is, or about the goals of socialist transformation -- there is a clear goal: the absence of a distinction between labor and leisure time.
Often -- and this is why many critics charge him with having a pastoral vision of our possible future -- people cite Marx's statement from the German Ideology as an example of how one might conduct one's life:
"Hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticize after supper ... without being considered a hunter, a fisherman, a cattleman, or critic."
We could just as easily say, "run in the morning, brew beer in the afternoon, write code in the evening, and pose nude on the internet after dinner-- without ever being considered a runner, a brewer, a programer, or Suicide Girl."
The point is -- contrary to many of my comrades' ideas -- we are NOT what we do (especially under capitalism). In every capacity our activities are expressions of our being; the objectification of our being, whether or not we are active in leisure or labor. However, objectification is not the whole being, or even the only measure of an individual's worth.
Each individual's activities should be regarded relative to their contribution to others, as well as the ways in which their activities fulfill the individual's own being (what others might call one's soul)....
Before someone decides to comment about quantity vs. quality, incentive, and scarcity, I will say only that I think capitalism is solving these problems -- perhaps in a back-handed and often brutal way, but it is contributing to its own transcendence. The more critical-barriers capitalism encounters (lack of control over labor, fewer DEVELOPING markets, financial crises, et cetera) the more creative ways to overcome those barriers develop. In fact, at least a third of transnational trade occurs under legal and economic frameworks that more closely resemble socialist exchange than free markets (see for example, intra-firm trade).
What capitalism cannot develop is democracy. The interests of capital will always run contrary to the interests of a community however large or small (Adam Smith said that in the Wealth of Nations 30 years before Marx was born). So it is upon us to transform -- NOT destroy -- what capitalism and political domination present us.
I am tired of comrades who say "throw the baby out with the bath water." Our task is to nurture democracy, transform capitalism, push for the development of individuals -- not "start over" like the Khmer Rouge, or the Cultural Revolution.
Thanks for encouraging the rant, magneticflux. This makes me want to go to school.
On another note, how do I insert the quote boxes people use? Seems like a secret for only the cool kids
Often -- and this is why many critics charge him with having a pastoral vision of our possible future -- people cite Marx's statement from the German Ideology as an example of how one might conduct one's life:
"Hunt in the morning, fish in the afternoon, rear cattle in the evening, criticize after supper ... without being considered a hunter, a fisherman, a cattleman, or critic."
We could just as easily say, "run in the morning, brew beer in the afternoon, write code in the evening, and pose nude on the internet after dinner-- without ever being considered a runner, a brewer, a programer, or Suicide Girl."
The point is -- contrary to many of my comrades' ideas -- we are NOT what we do (especially under capitalism). In every capacity our activities are expressions of our being; the objectification of our being, whether or not we are active in leisure or labor. However, objectification is not the whole being, or even the only measure of an individual's worth.
Each individual's activities should be regarded relative to their contribution to others, as well as the ways in which their activities fulfill the individual's own being (what others might call one's soul)....
Before someone decides to comment about quantity vs. quality, incentive, and scarcity, I will say only that I think capitalism is solving these problems -- perhaps in a back-handed and often brutal way, but it is contributing to its own transcendence. The more critical-barriers capitalism encounters (lack of control over labor, fewer DEVELOPING markets, financial crises, et cetera) the more creative ways to overcome those barriers develop. In fact, at least a third of transnational trade occurs under legal and economic frameworks that more closely resemble socialist exchange than free markets (see for example, intra-firm trade).
What capitalism cannot develop is democracy. The interests of capital will always run contrary to the interests of a community however large or small (Adam Smith said that in the Wealth of Nations 30 years before Marx was born). So it is upon us to transform -- NOT destroy -- what capitalism and political domination present us.
I am tired of comrades who say "throw the baby out with the bath water." Our task is to nurture democracy, transform capitalism, push for the development of individuals -- not "start over" like the Khmer Rouge, or the Cultural Revolution.
Thanks for encouraging the rant, magneticflux. This makes me want to go to school.
On another note, how do I insert the quote boxes people use? Seems like a secret for only the cool kids
"COMMUNISM!"
I will divulge the terrible secret of the quote boxes if you tell me honestly that that is motherfucking hilarious. especially when taken in the context of a Simpsons episode about tap-dancing. ahem.
(quote)(member=DrStinkypants) said: im totally fucking awesome(/quote)
or if you just want a quote that was not from a member (quote)you get the idea(/quote)