How do you fit in study?

[Dóchas]

im in a bit of trouble at the moment and i was just wondering, how do you guys fit in the time to read books on communist theory? do you just set aside some time everyday or week or do you just read a bit before you go to bed? im just wondering because i really want to read some books but i either dont have any time or am too tired to hold any of the information im learning. at the moment revleft is the only way im really learning which is grand but i want to learn more outside fo the forum

[teenagebricks]

Do you have a job? Do you go to university? I don't do either of these things and I don't have a social life so all I really do is read and think. I think if you can find the time to post here you can probably find the time to read a few pages a day. Read books on the train, on the bus, or while you walk, read in the bath, read at work. If you're as busy at it sounds you are it might be best to just set aside a day a week for study, Sunday, for example. Audiobooks are also good for busy folk.

[RHIZOMES]

Do you have a job? Do you go to university? I don't do either of these things and I don't have a social life so all I really do is read and think. I think if you can find the time to post here you can probably find the time to read a few pages a day. Read books on the train, on the bus, or while you walk, read in the bath, read at work. If you're as busy at it sounds you are it might be best to just set aside a day a week for study, Sunday, for example. Audiobooks are also good for busy folk.

I find the public transport thing is the only time where I don't get distracted by other things in my house to actually sit down and read.

[Code]

Just carry your book with u everywhere and you'll find time

[Pogue]

I read in bed before i go sleep

[which doctor]

Spend less time watching TV, browsing the internets, playing games, and more time reading.

[Killfacer]

I read in bed before i go sleep

This.

To be honest though i don't really consider reading books on communist theory as particuarly important.

[OneNamedNameLess]

Spend less time watching TV, browsing the internets, playing games, and more time reading.

What which doctor said.

Make use of internet sources though. They are very useful and cost effective too.

I generally read some political science, theory or history every few weeks as it tires me at times. Have to slot in the fiction somewhere ;)

[Code]

I read in bed before i go sleep

I tried this but I couldn't really grip the consepts so I stopped tha

[Marx22]

What I suggest you do is that you set a date, pick out some literature, read it, and take some notes on it. Note taking and analysis is the greatest, at least for me, to process all the information. I have a notebooks full of notes on all the communist literature I've read with general outlines of each ideology that has formed from communism (Stalinism, Marxist-Leninism, Leninism Maoism etc) and have special pages where I do notes from each writing and have pages just for personal analysis/opinion on the literature/author etc. To do that, like I said just set a time for yourself or just drop what you're doing, pick up a book and read. Cut out the internet, the TV, whatever, be in a quiet place or wherever you're comfortable and read and take notes. When you write something down, you're more likely to remember it.

[FreeFocus]

Streamline your day, eliminate the bullshit, and take the time. I have trouble with this as well, but it works.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

I read a lot of online summaries, honestly. I've got more interesting philosophical or political theories to read about. Marx has the right idea with respect to systematic analysis. Basically, he proposes methodologies to deal with legitimate worries concerning capitalist opposition.

I do hope to eventually read some more anarchist works to reconcile the ideal with pragmatic concerns. Some anarchists are too dogmatic when it comes to coercion. More specifically, coercion on the behalf of the individual, paternalism, needs to be incorporated into anarchist philosophy. A society that respects an individual's autonomy necessarily must protect that autonomy to respect it. I'm been fooling around with the idea of an egalitarian consensus method where electoral successes necessarily give political power to minority. Basically, a minority would gain additional voting power proportional to the amount they're restricted. I'm not sure if this will mathematically work out, though.

Back on topic, I wouldn't worry too much about reading the works. Once you know the basics, a lot of the other things you'll conclude from reason alone.

[Sam_b]

I don't see it as some sort of chore or something you have to 'fit in'. We all make time to go and drink, don't we? I enjoy reading and further developing my ideas and political understanding and that tends to make time for itself.

I'm looking forward to re-reading Marx's Civil War in France on my plane home in a couple of weeks :) Right now i've just finished Engels on Ludwig Feuerbach and the End of Classical German Philosophy.

[Sugar Hill Kevis]

Reading a quota of leftist theory isn't in my daily routine. I generally read before I go to bed when I do, or on the bus going somewhere. Admittedly I read a lot less in the summer as I'm away from home at a higher frequency. It's the same as anyone fits in reading to their daily lives, not just explicitly for socialist literature.


Take your book/s to the bathroom and read while doing your business there
People who read on the toilet confuse me, I'd seldom have time to finish a cigarette that I'd already started smoking whilst I'm on the toilet - let alone a newspaper or a book.

[Nakidana]

People who read on the toilet confuse me, I'd seldom have time to finish a cigarette that I'd already started smoking whilst I'm on the toilet - let alone a newspaper or a book.

Are you kidding? The toilet is like *the* place to read. I'm sure Marx did it! :lol:

[Cymru]

I struggle to read books that I want because of my uni reading list. I spend most of my evenings reading random history books and useless journals.

My trick is to take a book in the bath, far away from all distractions where I can be at one with my thoughts :)

[Vincent P.]

Oh man I think I have the guiness record of fitting the most crap in a tight schedule:

I start working at 6 am (that is I wake up at 5 pm) and I finish at 6-6:30 pm, 4 day/week. During the lunch break, while working alone or during the long truck driving time, I read audiobooks and I learn new languages with the Michel Thomas method. After the job, I eat, I listen to a 1h free internet math lecture, I read communist crap or philosophy for 1 hour and I go to bed. Weekends are also very tight: I learn languages, read books and practice guitar (I've got time to practice scales and theory only) and I try to watch up to 4 math or physics lectures/day.

This is for summer, but it's easier from september to april (I'm attending college). I think the last time I watched TV was 3 months ago. The only "break" I allow is 30 min of internet a day, mostly on revleft and responding emails (I've got a lot of correspondances).

[Pawn Power]

How about don't waste your time reading 'theory' and get active and organize.


Note: I actually read theory, but shouldn't, it is mainly crap.

[Vincent P.]

How about don't waste you time reading 'theory' and get active and organize.


Note: I actually read theory, but shouldn't, it is mainly crap.

How about stop thinking and have a suicide-bombing?:rolleyes:

My understanding of capitalism, anarchism and communism is far from being complete (I started to consider myself a-commie 5 weeks ago), and I want to be active through propaganda more than riots (which requires lot a deeper knowledge on the matter). Yes, I'm a coward, but hey...:cool:

[Decolonize The Left]

im in a bit of trouble at the moment and i was just wondering, how do you guys fit in the time to read books on communist theory? do you just set aside some time everyday or week or do you just read a bit before you go to bed? im just wondering because i really want to read some books but i either dont have any time or am too tired to hold any of the information im learning. at the moment revleft is the only way im really learning which is grand but i want to learn more outside fo the forum

I recommend reading only what is truly interesting. If you do, you will find that you allocate enough time to do so.

Personally, I read when I'm in the mood, and when the situation affords. As witch doctor mentioned, removing alternative forms of distraction will aid in this process - but beware, your mind is not always ready to read. Often times a walk is necessary, writing, music, or drawing - creative activity.

Always keep in mind that it is not the particular vehicle of creative impulse which is of importance, rather, it is the quality of the act.

- August

[NecroCommie]

I read when I feel like reading. Sometimes it means I read alot, sometimes it means I dont read for months. Reading theory should not be somekind of "must do", but one should enjoy it. If it means getting your info from RevLeft, so be it.

[Sam_b]

How about don't waste your time reading 'theory' and get active and organize

Because theory and practice go hand in hand.

[Pawn Power]

How about stop thinking and have a suicide-bombing?:rolleyes:

My understanding of capitalism, anarchism and communism is far from being complete (I started to consider myself a-commie 5 weeks ago), and I want to be active through propaganda more than riots (which requires lot a deeper knowledge on the matter). Yes, I'm a coward, but hey...:cool:

One can 'think' and have a strategy without reading theory.


Because theory and practice go hand in hand.

That is, one's 'theories' comes from one's practices.

[Andrei Kuznetsov]

One can 'think' and have a strategy without reading theory.

Then where does that strategy come from, and how do you consolidate and synthesize it? Theory stems from practice, but one must build upon your practice by summing up what you've learned from practice. Otherwise you're just all over the place and not getting anything done.

...as for myself, I get up early in the morning before anyone else in the house gets up, I brew up a cup of coffee, and pick up whatever I feel is interesting or necessary for me to study at the moment.

[Wanted Man]

I find the public transport thing is the only time where I don't get distracted by other things in my house to actually sit down and read.
Same here. I should probably do much better in regards to this, like, actually streamline my free time and do something more useful with it than writing this post.

To be fair, most people aren't theoreticians or "head communists", but practical types and "underbelly communists". I came to communism through theory and analysis, but since having to actually do local organising on a regular basis, I've become a practical type myself.

Of course, in reality, the two go hand in hand, and you can't have one without the other. But most comrades do clearly tend towards one extreme or another.

[Pogue]

Well I once raid 'State and Revolution' whilst firing my AK at the cops as they attacked the picket line, if that helps.

[Pawn Power]

Then where does that strategy come from, and how do you consolidate and synthesize it? Theory stems from practice, but one must build upon your practice by summing up what you've learned from practice. Otherwise you're just all over the place and not getting anything done.


This doesn't make sense to me. Perhaps I don't read enough theory.

[great_destroyer]

I'm studying sociology, and I love it, but the compulsory reading lists can be a waste of time. Give me Emma Goldman over Durkheim any time. More often than not, Internet is a waste of time as well. We're spoiled with too much choice - there are so many amazing websites out there, so much information, we end up just clicking through and not really learning anything. There are so many free ebooks and films to download, we don't know where to start. So, I think it' important to ignore the existence of a technological frenzy around you from time to time, pick a book (a real physical copy preferably, not the PDF version) and just read. Also, don't watch TV...seriously, don't.

[dogfooddi]

reading on the toilet is a lost art. it's awesome because people will assume you're dropping a massive constipation bomb 8 inches in diameter and leave you alone. i would spend anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours reading on the toilet as a kid. it would drive my parents mad. meanwhile, i'd crush novels and have a big ring imprint around my butt that wouldn't go away for an hour or so after. unfortunately thanks to coffee, cigarettes, and lentils i spend much less time than i used to in the john.

[Plagueround]

I'm studying sociology, and I love it, but the compulsory reading lists can be a waste of time. Give me Emma Goldman over Durkheim any time.

Durkheim bothers me. Everything he says seems like he came up with his conclusions first.

[ellipsis]

Toilet reading and bus/travelling are how I fit books in. Once you get into reading more you find time to read.

[Dervish]

You just need to organize youre time better.
Before going to sleep, take 5 minutes and try to organize your schedule for tomorrow.
Set aside some time for reading, and try to decide beforehand what is it that you're gonna read.

Next day, when the time that you set aside for reading comes, READ. No compromises here. If for some reason you aren't able to read at that time, note down a missing 'reading time unit' (whether you decided on half an hour, an hour or whatever). Make yourself make up for that time unit lost!

You could also 'allocate' a certain number of reading time units that you wish to do per week. That way, when you are not able to read for some reason you can make up for that with the rest of the week -- or in case that you get to read more than you planned to at some day, you can do other things with the rest of your weekly time.

All it takes is self discipline.

[Dervish]

One problem that I often meet with is forums and instant messengers and social networks that just lure me in. When I don't organize my time, I often find myself wasting most of it on MSN and facebook, doing absolutely nothing 'useful' whatsoever.

[Vincent P.]

I've got a new job: I can read almost all day long as long as it's not raining. I try to give myself an average of 3 books per week (mostly philosophy , but this week I will be reading a few plays from Molière and an History Of Canada-Quebec).

But I think the major advices has been said: Do not watch TV and avoid stupid, useless distraction as much as possible. My use of the PC is limited to wikipedia, language learning, math lectures and revleft.

The fact that I have no girlfriend may also be decisive :p.

[Bilan]

I read in bed, and on the way to classes and work. My sleeping patterns are all over the place, though, so that's probably why it works for me.
If I have a night shift, I'll get home at about 11, then have some dinner, and read for a while, and probably fall asleep at 2. If I have classes the next day, I try and finish most of my readings (If I haven't done them at the right time) that night, or on the train to Uni.
Works for me.

[bcbm]

I read on the bus and at home when I get home from work, usually.