All this sounds very nice and no doubt some of these goods
do make life easier, but most are produced merely for production’s sake and the
price is high. Much crime is created by society’s standards demanding that
people need money, goods and beauty to be anything important. Inequality and
poverty contribute to crime, but so do greed and the desire for more and better
things. The competitiveness in society leads to mistrust and alienation of
humans from each other, which in turn leads to loneliness, stress, despair,
violence, hatred, suicide and a general lack of care for other people. Society
cannot stop producing goods as production is what keeps capitalist
‘democracies’ going; we are all hooked and would get withdrawal symptoms if we
could not consume – hence, consumption increases the destruction of the world’s
resources, all covered up by the smiling face of the ad agencies, acting as
capitalism’s government, regardless of who happens to be in Number 10 Downing
Street.
Of course, millions are frustrated, but all they are offered
is the safety valve of piss pot alternative politics, from the Labour party,
CND and the environmental lobbyists to the downright obnoxious ‘extremities’ of
Communism and fascism. The ultra left and right groups spout reform or impracticalities
as a solution to bring better conditions to this society; their harmlessness is
shown by the fact they are not crushed by the state or even taken seriously.
The fact remains that there can be no real happiness in an unhappy world.
Our aim is total pleasure: a society where trust, love and
friendship are predominant values and materialist consumer ideologies are
relegated to history books, along with religion, politics, sacrifice and nation
states. However, in the apathetic days we live in, we can be under no illusion
that some glorious revolution will come along and solve all problems, as much
as the far Left would like and want to lead it. Yes, of course, we should be
revolutionary and militant, but our revolution has got to be now. We haven’t got
all the answers, nor do we have the arrogance to patronise the working class
(whatever that is) by urging them to join us.
It is surely better to develop ourselves in relation to
other people and the environment around us. At the same time, class struggle or
mutual solidarity are an integral part of this. Solidarity with others will
bring a true resistance. During the war, the government declared that careless
talk was dangerous – we say, go for it; talk to others! But, to quote a
well-worn phrase, “People who talk about revolution and class struggle without
referring explicating to everyday life, without understanding what is
subversive about love and what is positive in the refusal of constraints, such
people have a corpse in their mouth”.
Look around you, at the city you live in – the architecture,
the people, the open spaces etc. Look at the lives we lead – work, leisure,
relationships, food etc. Look at the political sphere – the spurious
opposition, industrial disputes, the environment, the health service etc. A developed critique of society is important; a critique of
how to overthrow it is as, if not more, vital.
The critique is what this zine aims to develop and it
invites you to contribute. There is no party to join, no demonstrations to go
on, no papers to flog on street corners, no lain down answers to all the
world’s problems. The circulation of this rag is miniscule, but if it what it
is saying is of some use, or has validity to those fighting back, then
hopefully the ideas may be disseminated in whatever ways that are available.
Sometimes, everything seems hopeless, the odds
insurmountable, but knowing there are others is inspiring. Solidarity is indeed
strength, as long as individuality is not swamped by populist cloning and
stereotyping. Alienation is one of power’s greatest weapons – if we are all
divided over religion, politics, dress, food, soap opera or washing powder
preference then we cannot be hassling those in power. Tolerate each other; be
intolerant of patriarchal authority and exploitation.
The tactics are up to you. I believe there is a place for
pacifism and a place for direct action against the property of capitalists. You
may say this is vague, but the specifics are up t those willing to fight back.
Ideally, a developed counter culture (a horrid and dated phrase, but it will do
here) has to be created, with ordinary militant people prepared to take on
those who bring toxic waste into their communities, to take on the police who
kill and hassle their friends, to give support to those being exploited and
oppressed, and most of all to be imaginative, original and devastating in doing
it – to have a laugh and enjoy opposition.
Ridicule is our greatest weapon because we live in a
ridiculous world.
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