this post was submitted on 03 Mar 2026
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would you also try to cure cancer while ignoring all the research published on it?
Username is kinda on the money.
Yhea, it's easy! If a patient asks you for help: you help them
Counterpoint, you can understand the core points of socialism very quickly. One need not read 50 books before joining the conversation.
Right, but then you need to know how to make a proper analysis grounded in material reality, identify the main contradiction and organize effectively. All of this can't be taught instantaneously. Especially when someone isn't class conscious and has no background in leftist struggle. How do you explain to some sheltered worker that's doing more or less well what imperialism is, what it does, why it should matter to them even if they've been trained to think exploitation abroad is justified, how do you help them become effective in their organizing?
I come from a leftist background, I grew up hearing words like neocolonialism and understanding what they meant, I worked with a leftist (but not communist) org in the past, and even then there's a whole lot I didn't know or understand, and what helped me was to sit down to read and listen to my comrades. We can't build socialism just with vibes and ideals, we need to be grounded in reality.
Firstly, by not intimidating them with a book list
If someone can't bother to read a single Parenti book, or even just listen to their comrades, I believe the main issue is a lack of motivation and commitment, not accessibility. No one expects you to read das Kapital before getting involved.