Leftist Forums - Divisive or Beneficial?

[Andropov]

Do you think that Leftist forums like Revleft are indeed beneficial for leftists or are divisive and indeed help increase and fan sectarianism?
There are numerous examples of sectarianism being fanned in debates and the like, myself being a culprit.
But there are great examples of learning and progressing as a Leftist, ive learnt alot since I first joined Revleft.
But in the end of the day is there many here who actually change tendencys due to debate and learning in forums like these or does it only help to push people further into an ideological corner when on the defensive from Sectarianism?

[Crimson Commissar]

In some ways, they can help bring us together and help Communists and Anarchists sort out our ideological differences. Here at Revleft, however, it often seems the forum is dominated by Anarchists and so it's hard for anyone who doesn't violently oppose the state to get their point across without being critiscized.

[StoneFrog]

Its good for people learning about the left, but people seem the bring their individual ideologies too much into debates. There seem to be very little tolerance of others ideologies as well, start debating about one point then turns into a debate on whole ideologies. People need to learn a little respect and restraint, might also be because we do have a lot of youth around.

[RED DAVE]

As the class struggle heats up, the various groups will be sorted out. Those who are a lot of wind but no action (arthritic), those who advocate action with no real theory (adolescents) and those who believe in the unity of theory and practice (the good guys) will be separated and easily identified.

RED DAVE

[Red Commissar]

The pros outweigh the cons. The only real disadvantage it could bring is numbing potential action, but this has always been a problem at any time.

[ContrarianLemming]

In some ways, they can help bring us together and help Communists and Anarchists sort out our ideological differences. Here at Revleft, however, it often seems the forum is dominated by Anarchists and so it's hard for anyone who doesn't violently oppose the state to get their point across without being critiscized.

Hence the debate.

[ContrarianLemming]

As the class struggle heats up, the various groups will be sorted out. Those who are a lot of wind but no action (arthritic), those who advocate action with no real theory (adolescents) and those who believe in the unity of theory and practice (the good guys) will be separated and easily identified.

RED DAVE

see here http://www.revleft.com/vb/showpost.php?p=1804855&postcount=38

[Exasperated_Youth]

I think it's a good thing. I've only been on here a few days but I've already learned quite a bit. Also, do you know how hard it is to find people my own age to discuss this sort of stuff with? Most get bored fairly quickly, and the rest just regurgitate what we learned in history: Capitalism is good, communism doesn't work.

There will always be divisions, but at least they're all in one place. It's a start, isn't it?

[Os Cangaceiros]

they're horrible

[Exasperated_Youth]

they're horrible

"They" being... various groups? The differences between them?

Or leftist forums? :blink:

[AK]

The anonymity and generally large membership of forums allows for young people to develop their political views through reading what other people have said and through debate - something which could never be done with my friends, for example.

[Os Cangaceiros]

"They" being... various groups? The differences between them?

Or leftist forums? :blink:

re: the thread's title

[AK]

In some ways, they can help bring us together and help Communists and Anarchists sort out our ideological differences. Here at Revleft, however, it often seems the forum is dominated by Anarchists and so it's hard for anyone who doesn't violently oppose the state to get their point across without being critiscized.
That only happens in certain threads, in the remaining threads discussion just amounts to most MLs and MLMs denouncing anarchists as stupid liberal petit-bourgeois infantile ultra-leftist anarcho-trots.

[Exasperated_Youth]

re: the thread's title
Yeah, it's just other points have been made so I wasn't sure what you were referring to. Sorry.

[Wanted Man]

I don't think they're divisive or cause sectarianism. Otherwise, general political forums would also cause divisions in society in general, and football forums would cause divisions between United and City fans. The reality is that divergent left-wing tendencies already exist, social divisions already exist, and United and City fans already hate each other. On internet forums, all these existing different groups are simply given an easy venue to communicate with each other.

I do think people should not let Revleft be the only thing that informs their political views, ideas, activities, etc. Ideally, it should be the other way around, or perhaps Revleft could simply inspire them to become active in real life as well. Luckily, many active Revleft membersdo that eventually, but you'll always have some who will stay in their safety zone of Revleft forever. Quite frankly, those people can be easily recognised.

I also think that most people, myself included, would not talk to people in real life the way they do on Revleft.

[progressive_lefty]

You'll always find on forums that some people just like to argue (even with comrades). I must admit when I was younger, I used to be pretty sensitive on forums and wouldn't stand back from a pathetic fight, usually over nothing..