Greetings Comrades! I need a little help with a few questions.

[xub3rn00dlex]

First of all, greetings to all the members here! I have been lurking this forum for a while now and have finally decided to join, and I apologize if this being my first post makes this thread the wrong place to post, but I have a few questions.

The first and most important would regard Marx's work Capital Volume I. This is only the second text I am reading, and realize it might not have been the best decision on my part, but I am trying my best to understand it. I have finished the first chapter, and while I believe I get the meaning, would anyone care to share any links to any good analysis/summary/explanation of the first chapter? Or even post their own quick summary of what it is about would be greatly appreciated.

Second, after browsing the forums I must say I am intimidated from posting because I don't really know much, so I apologize beforehand if most of my posts will be questions or posts seeking further guidance. I have known I was a commie for a while now, but have felt alienated by society because of it. My buddies usually go "Yay for communism!" but the majority of them I'm led to believe think it's a fad, and have no desire to actually learn about it, let alone participate in a revolution. One thing I have noticed is that since becoming more and more in tune with the far left, I have begun to feel somewhat depressed due to a changing view I have towards society ( this is in addition to personal issues I'm dealing with, so perhaps they are inflating this issue ) Has anyone else experienced this and is it normal for a new recruit?

And lastly, is it normal to feel somewhat aggressive ( not sure if this is the right term ) towards the response by the state to protests/riots? What I mean is is it normal to want to defend the protesters against police action by use of opposing force?

Again I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section, and hope that my time participating on this forum will help me better develop my character. Thank you for any help!

-Mickey

[Die Rote Fahne]

First of all, greetings to all the members here! I have been lurking this forum for a while now and have finally decided to join, and I apologize if this being my first post makes this thread the wrong place to post, but I have a few questions.

Yes, learning is the appropriate place! :lol:


The first and most important would regard Marx's work Capital Volume I. This is only the second text I am reading, and realize it might not have been the best decision on my part, but I am trying my best to understand it. I have finished the first chapter, and while I believe I get the meaning, would anyone care to share any links to any good analysis/summary/explanation of the first chapter? Or even post their own quick summary of what it is about would be greatly appreciated.Before continuing Capital Vol. I, I suggest you read The Communist Manifesto, and probably some works by Lenin, Trotsky, Luxemburg, Kautsky, etc.

marxists.org <--- archive of everything you could want to read. Free, online.

However, for continuing capital, I suggest David Harvey's lectures on each chapter to help you understand it: http://davidharvey.org/reading-capital/


Second, after browsing the forums I must say I am intimidated from posting because I don't really know much, so I apologize beforehand if most of my posts will be questions or posts seeking further guidance. I have known I was a commie for a while now, but have felt alienated by society because of it. My buddies usually go "Yay for communism!" but the majority of them I'm led to believe think it's a fad, and have no desire to actually learn about it, let alone participate in a revolution. One thing I have noticed is that since becoming more and more in tune with the far left, I have begun to feel somewhat depressed due to a changing view I have towards society ( this is in addition to personal issues I'm dealing with, so perhaps they are inflating this issue ) Has anyone else experienced this and is it normal for a new recruit?Don't apologize, we welcome new comrades, and we want to help you learn!

I haven't experienced any depression as a result of my views, but if you think it may be the case, or even if it isn't, it should always be the first option to see a psych. It's nothing to be ashamed about. I've been affected by depression myself.


And lastly, is it normal to feel somewhat aggressive ( not sure if this is the right term ) towards the response by the state to protests/riots? What I mean is is it normal to want to defend the protesters against police action by use of opposing force?Yes. I believe so. I legit rage like a madman when I watch Israel commit it's crimes, when I watch the right wing spread their shit, when I see people use anti-communist rhetoric. I feel it almost obligatory for a socialist to want to stop the capitalists, including their state (police and military) from harming the working class. I for one support violently resisting police in situations they are going beyond their position.


Again I apologize if I am posting this in the wrong section, and hope that my time participating on this forum will help me better develop my character. Thank you for any help!

-MickeyThis is the right forum! Learning is where you come to ask all your questions, and get them answered. :)

I look forward to seeing you post, and hopefully through reading threads on this site, through reading materials by Marxist theoreticians, etc. you can develop your own views of communism, and maybe choose a tendency that's right for you!

P.S. In the Opposing Ideologies section, there is a government simulation game being played. "Katanga forum game". You are welcome to check it out and join in! :D

[Rjevan]

Hi and welcome to the forum! :)

I have finished the first chapter, and while I believe I get the meaning, would anyone care to share any links to any good analysis/summary/explanation of the first chapter? Or even post their own quick summary of what it is about would be greatly appreciated.
Before tackling Capital I strongly recommend reading at least Wage Labour and Capital (click (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1847/wage-labour/index.htm)) and Value, Price and Profit (click (http://www.marxists.org/archive/marx/works/1865/value-price-profit/index.htm)). They give you good overview and a basic understanding which really helps making Capital a bit less difficult.

Maybe this (http://www.revleft.com/vb/marx-39-s-t41211/index.html) thread in Theory and the notes here (http://www.revleft.com/vb/study-group-capital-t142711/index.html) can help you, too. If you have any specific questions about what you read in Capital or something else, feel free to ask anytime! Learning forum is what the name suggests and for all of us learning never stops. Nobody will look down on you because you weren't born a full-blown Marxist. ;)


And lastly, is it normal to feel somewhat aggressive ( not sure if this is the right term ) towards the response by the state to protests/riots?
I sure think so. Unless you're some kind of Buddha in a constant state of indifference for worldly things (or one hell of an egoist) it's often very hard to stay calm in face of outrageous oppression and injustice.

There's nothing inherently wrong with using force, it depends on who uses it, to what extent, for what reasons and what purpose. If some people insist that the proper way of answering (state) violence is throwing flowers, hugging each other and turning the other cheek that's really their problem but no universal truth. We'll see how far they get. Didn't really work so far in history.

[Agent Ducky]

And lastly, is it normal to feel somewhat aggressive ( not sure if this is the right term ) towards the response by the state to protests/riots? What I mean is is it normal to want to defend the protesters against police action by use of opposing force?


"If you tremble indignation at every injustice, you are a comrade of mine."- Che Guevara. :che:
It's totally justified, the state is too brutal and unjust with protestors. You'll find that most comrades at Revleft will support you on this one ^o^

[xub3rn00dlex]

Before continuing Capital Vol. I, I suggest you read The Communist Manifesto, and probably some works by Lenin, Trotsky, Luxemburg, Kautsky, etc.


marxists.org <--- archive of everything you could want to read. Free, online.

First book I ever read about communism was the Manifesto. I have been on marxists.org after a philosophy teacher recommended that website to me. I find that site awesome, since there's so much to read there, and free ;)



However, for continuing capital, I suggest David Harvey's lectures on each chapter to help you understand it.

Thank you for the link, I will definitely check out his lectures, since it will undoubtedly help me more properly understand it. I don't really want to put the book down, but if I get too confused I'll switch over to some other works first.


Yes. I believe so. I legit rage like a madman when I watch Israel commit it's crimes, when I watch the right wing spread their shit, when I see people use anti-communist rhetoric. I feel it almost obligatory for a socialist to want to stop the capitalists, including their state (police and military) from harming the working class. I for one support violently resisting police in situations they are going beyond their position.

I phrased my question a little safely, I too have steam come out my ears when I watch the clampdown on any kind of worker struggle against oppression. I turn very violent very quickly :lol:

I will make sure to give that katanga game a shot too, thank you!




If you have any specific questions about what you read in Capital or something else, feel free to ask anytime! Learning forum is what the name suggests and for all of us learning never stops. Nobody will look down on you because you weren't born a full-blown Marxist. ;)

There's nothing inherently wrong with using force, it depends on who uses it, to what extent, for what reasons and what purpose. If some people insist that the proper way of answering (state) violence is throwing flowers, hugging each other and turning the other cheek that's really their problem but no universal truth. We'll see how far they get. Didn't really work so far in history.

Thank you for your links as well! I will make sure to seek out help if anything I am looking for cannot be answered through the links provided! I agree with you on how we use force against the state. I feel like engaging in violence against it is a double edged sword, either we come off as liberators, or get labeled a terror group :(


"If you tremble indignation at every injustice, you are a comrade of mine."- Che Guevara. :che:
It's totally justified, the state is too brutal and unjust with protestors. You'll find that most comrades at Revleft will support you on this one ^o^

Glad to know I have you guys backing me up on any actions I decide to take against the state then! I just feel like there should be an organized and armed defensive guard standing in the way of the oppressed and the state police forces.

Thank you for you quick and helpful replies! I look forward to posting and developing the commie in me, with the guidance of the members here of course!

[Die Rote Fahne]

First book I ever read about communism was the Manifesto. I have been on marxists.org after a philosophy teacher recommended that website to me. I find that site awesome, since there's so much to read there, and free ;)



Thank you for the link, I will definitely check out his lectures, since it will undoubtedly help me more properly understand it. I don't really want to put the book down, but if I get too confused I'll switch over to some other works first.



I phrased my question a little safely, I too have steam come out my ears when I watch the clampdown on any kind of worker struggle against oppression. I turn very violent very quickly :lol:

I will make sure to give that katanga game a shot too, thank you!



Thank you for your links as well! I will make sure to seek out help if anything I am looking for cannot be answered through the links provided! I agree with you on how we use force against the state. I feel like engaging in violence against it is a double edged sword, either we come off as liberators, or get labeled a terror group :(



Glad to know I have you guys backing me up on any actions I decide to take against the state then! I just feel like there should be an organized and armed defensive guard standing in the way of the oppressed and the state police forces.

Thank you for you quick and helpful replies! I look forward to posting and developing the commie in me, with the guidance of the members here of course!

You are the man!

Any questions that you don't want to pose to the forum you can feel free to personally address them to me. I will give you an answer to the best of my abilities.

And yes, you better check out Katanga !!! *shakes fist* lol.