I think one very important social project which we must win, is to openly challenge neo-luddites like John Zerzan and Derrick Jensen who are winning support from progressives to support reactionary social projects. One similiarity between "green anarchism/primitivism" and fascism and libertarianism, is that all three of those movements are draining the progressives of potential membership material from the working class. On that basis, we must retake environmentalism from the neo-luddites. N.E.T has already begun that, with an extensive campaign illuminating the global warming and the ecological foot-print crisis.
I vehemently agree with what you are saying, and have been planning on posting articles by famous primmies so that we can practice on debunking their arguments. Perhaps I will tonight.
I strongly suggest you read works by techno-positive green anarchists. Many of them have been furiously attacking and debunking primitivists and deep ecologists for years.
Okay, is Murray Bookchin one of them? Are there any online articles? It is quite hard to stand against primitivism, because primmies are experts on using emotional arguments and media has been demonising science for about 30-40 years.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murray_Bookchin "external links" at the bottom will help a lot I think it is most important to remember that primitivism did not develop our of anarchist theory, but out of Marxism. They loved the Frankfurt school of Adorno and Marcuse, sided with Debord and the SI in the late 60s, etc. They are directly influenced by Marx's ideas of alienation under capitalism. A critique of primitivism, beyond attacking their genocidal goals, requires the ability to pick out what is relevant to leftists with what is being added with an anti-civilization slant.
I think you might have a point there. http://youtube.com/watch?v=ayc_zMlgKrs
One of the problems primitivism has, is that like socialism it does take a systems-level critique of the current order. Therefore, it is understandable how it attracts many leftists. Some of this has been done. Michael Albert (of Parecon fame) told off Zerzan pretty well: http://www.zmag.org/debateprim.htm Zerzan isn't the only primitivist out there and far from its most eloquent proponent. As a tactical matter, converting the current crop of primmies is a lost cause. I propose two ways to nip this idea in the bud anytime it comes up in discussion in affinity groups, party meetings, etc... The first is to show that current environmental problems can be solved by things like windpower, and give historical examples of how rational policies like reforestation efforts or sewage management have mitigated serious environmental problems. The second is to suggest that anybody serious enough about this should go live off the grid, not use language, etc... but unless they're willing to give up their creature comforts they should STFU.
Actually, it's not pathetic and irrelevant loonies like John Zerzan and Derrick Jensen that we should be worried about. They have no significant influence on anything. We need to focus our energies on attacking mainstream environmentalism, the new ideological orthodoxy of capitalist states worldwide. A general rule: forget about marginal wackoes like Zerzan and Jensen. Concentrate on the real dangers.
