From: singram@eng.auburn.edu (Scott Ingram)
Subject: Re: Explaining anarchy to your friends?
Reply-To: singram@eng.auburn.edu
Organization: Auburn University Engineering
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 05:24:13 GMT

In article 721670968@yorku.ca, cburke@nexus.yorku.ca (Carolyn Burke) writes:
>
>If i understand your position, you hold a desire for freedom and the
>view that reacting to the might-makes-righters via their philosophy is
>not the way to go.  A middle of the roader is that person who holds to
>the former, but not the latter.  (Hope I've represented your position
>somewhat :) )

Close. My view is that reacting with the might makes right philosophy, against
anyone, makes you a `might makes righter' not an anarchist at all.

>My concern is that though an anarchist, I still want to live in society.
>As there will probably not be any quick conversions of most everyone
>else to a freer way of thinking, I am left coping with a world I never
>would have created.

Yeah, but until everyone starts moving towards the only sane way of thinking,
you might as well go for it yourself. Yes, you didn't make the world, but you
can change it. Just start treating everyone with the respect and freedom you 
think you deserve. Once you realize that you are NOT any better than anyone 
else, this becomes easier. And if you become a `practicing' anarchist, we
will be that one-5.2 Billionth step closer to the perfect society!

>Without some positive or active resistence to the governments and pushy
>neighbours of the world (with the hope of affecting a change for the
>better), I don't believe I could survive.  Well I know I couldn't be
>very happy with what I see as a passive solution.

Well. That is the problem. Everyone seems to think that they have to look after
themselves. Once you think that you can change the MMR mentality by defending
yourself and your views with any amount of coercion, you have fallen for
their trap, and become part of their system. `And we become shining examples/
of the system we set out to destroy.' - The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy

>I guess I'm asking whether there is a way for me to stop being a middle
>of the roader, without losing any chance of happiness in this life?

Depends. I would lose my happiness in this life if I retained my middle
of the road status. I am constantly striving for a life free of fear. Fear
is what causes people to accept the yoke of government. Value placed on 
one's life and possessions cause you to fear the loss of those possesions.
Once you can move beyond possesiveness, and hence fear, you wil find
mine and Neuromancer's form of anarchy not only fulfilling, but the
only sane choice in a sea of chaos. 

I'm not trying to sound like my views have made me a `shiny happy person'
though. I have been filled with a sense of what I know to be right. I treat
my fellow man with the utmost respect (theoretically. Some individuals still
get on my nerves. :) I do what I do, and I know my reasons why. My life has
a little more direction than it did a year ago. But, my social interaction
has gone the way of the dinosaur. Finding that you no longer relate to 
anyone around you is a tad disconcerting. But it all depends on what it
important to YOU. My philosophy and ideals and beliefs are the single
most important thing in my world. This is not the case for most people.
I can't give up my ideals for personal satisfaction elsewhere in life,
this is it, this is me, take it or leave it. Most leave it. This need I have
to keep my ideals true has caused me lots of grief with my friends and
family, who just don't understand what I do, don't even understand that I NEED
to do it.

Orion.




Newsgroups: alt.society.anarchy