Folks are talking about creating more inclusive culture on the left—and I approve! But culture needs to be grounded in infrastructure and real relationships, not just social media (which incentivizes individualism/sensationalism). This is why I’m always going on about organization and organizing… - ThreadSky

astra.bsky.social • 106 days ago

Folks are talking about creating more inclusive culture on the left—and I approve! But culture needs to be grounded in infrastructure and real relationships, not just social media (which incentivizes individualism/sensationalism). This is why I’m always going on about organization and organizing…

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gregsc1.bsky.social•106 days ago

I agree strongly with how you phrased this! Online relationships can be real(ly important, collaborative) relationships, but social media incentivizes noise. Real relationships need to be cosmolocally grounded in shared interests, efforts, successes, failures and learnings.

astra.bsky.social•106 days ago

What containers can we build/invest in to reinforce and spread more inclusive culture? Not the Dems since they're not a real party. Labor is key but limited. DSA is great but we need to reach people who aren’t already socialists. Campus culture is obsessed over but lotsa folks aren't profs/students.

andyrose12.bsky.social•106 days ago

working families party (?)

astra.bsky.social•106 days ago

We (me and @lhh.bsky.social) talk a good amount about these dilemmas in in our book Solidarity: The Past, Present, and Future of a World-Changing Idea. Here's a Dig interview from just before the election that gives a decent overview if it's of interest: https://thedigradio.com/podcast/solidarity-w-astra-taylor-leah-hunt-hendrix/

karlsteel.bsky.social•105 days ago

📌

alisonhopealkon.bsky.social•105 days ago

Been thinking about this wonderful book so much these days. So glad that you and @lhh.bsky.social are here to help us meet this awful moment.

coletteshade.bsky.social•106 days ago

How about clubs? Eg birding clubs, sports teams, etc.?

hdiaz247.bsky.social•106 days ago

📌

deemagoo.bsky.social•106 days ago

Schools, community gardens, churches, unions used to be more social with picnics and family outings

yablak.net•105 days ago

Build containers on Discord. For the gamers.

thesandwichman.bsky.social•106 days ago

Back to Marx... but not THAT Marx. Karl Marx proposed a very simple formula: the reduction of working time is a prerequisite for achieving the realm of freedom. He also developed a far ranging analysis to demonstrate why. With notable exceptions, "Marxists" have ignored that prescription.

thesandwichman.bsky.social•106 days ago

The unknown unknown Marx... https://econospeak.blogspot.com/2024/03/the-unknown-unknown-marx.html

It "would require a book," Martin Nicolaus observed, to present "a proper analysis of the implications of these rather cryptic theses. How about a pop-up book?:
https://econospeak.blogspot.com/2024/11/the-more-contradition-develops.html

breannaillene.bsky.social•106 days ago

We need multiple containers. I’m over here working with churches. Some are problematic but there are also so many that are doing incredible inclusive work in their communities.

astra.bsky.social•106 days ago

agree!

jmeijers.bsky.social•106 days ago

One of the huge advantages that the right has in the post moral majority world is that they have built in social structures that promote real relationships within evangelical churches. The left doesn’t have a cultural analogue that serves as a touchstone for culture and relationships.

cathylisa.bsky.social•106 days ago

At one time it was unions

rckm.bsky.social•105 days ago

Historically, the factory and the bar were. Total social atomization is a completely new challenge.

beebalmfaerie.bsky.social•106 days ago

“It may be the Devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

jmeijers.bsky.social•106 days ago

Or sometimes the devil masquerading as the “lord”.

brynwulf.bsky.social•106 days ago

Community organization is the biggest revolt, including small, BIPOC and LGBT+ businesses. Thank you.

intrepidintellect.bsky.social•106 days ago

As for making the left more inclusive, I suggest to start this movement, focus on grassroots efforts: host local meetups, create community projects, and collaborate with existing organizations. Use social media to amplify these efforts, but remember, the real work happens offline. Engage with people

augustam.bsky.social•106 days ago

augustam.bsky.social•106 days ago

Joe voted for Trump.

jeffsharlet.bsky.social•106 days ago

Agree 1,000%, AND -- as a constitutionally reclusive semi-rural person w/ kids w/ health issues, I get worn down sometimes by the insistence on IRL community. When I can! Which isn't often. There are a lot of people like me, for whom social media can be critical.

joehagantv.bsky.social•106 days ago

I had to google IRL

astra.bsky.social•106 days ago

I think there are tons of ways to build real community online -- the Debt Collective and a bunch of other orgs do a whole lot of zooming. Obv I'm on social media and find value. When I say social media won't cut it it doesnt necessarily mean only IRL counts

mexigrl1964.bsky.social•106 days ago

I would appreciate a follow.
I'm a grassroots civil rights activist in Mississippi. I believe that many of us are going to be able to help show the way as examples of how to fight back in a fascist society. We have worked partly underground for years. Organizing is the most important thing now.

s1ipshod.bsky.social•106 days ago

Definitely! I'd love to see more grassroots orgs pop up at the local and state level. In NC we have Down Home as a statewide coalition of county level groups that has been making some great local changes across the state. It's been especially helpful in the rural counties

astra.bsky.social•106 days ago

Down Home is great

titus-tony.bsky.social•106 days ago

I’ve spent most of my life helping to organize communities for entertainment (SCA), Healthcare (Patient/Physicians Cooperatives), and music (Oregon Bluegrass Assoc). Couldn’t agree more.

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