On May 5th, 1818, Karl Marx, hero of the international proletatiat, was born. His revolution of Socialist theory reverberates throughout the world carries on to this day, in increasing magnitude. Every passing day, he is vindicated. His analysis of Capitalism, development of the theory of Scientific Socialism, and advancements on dialectics to become Dialectical Materialism, have all played a key role in the past century, and have remained ever-more relevant throughout.
He didn't always rock his famous beard, when he was younger he was clean shaven!
Some significant works:
Economic & Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844
The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte
Critique of the Gotha Programme
Manifesto of the Communist Party (along with Engels)
And, of course, Capital Vol I-III
Interested in Marxism-Leninism, but don't know where to start? Check out my "Read Theory, Darn it!" introductory reading list!
They should be corrected but you should correct them and not just tell them that it is only 500years old as it ignores the misunderstanding and avoids having a proper conversation.
Saying "technically capitalism is only 500 years old and human societies are much much older, what exactly do you mean when you say capitalism?" Is encouraging communication, understanding and knowledge seeking.
Saying "it is only 500 years old" sounds like you tell them that it is 500 years old as a theory and not necessarily as a practice. Which is obviously not the point that the person is interested in, as they would be interested in the age of the practice and not theory. So they perceive you as dodging the claim with a distraction. (Important: I am not saying it is older as a practice but that someone could easily understand it as that)
I don't see anyone here discouraging communication, and we've provided links that should help ppl get past the misdefinitions.
The response in the meme is. That is my point. If I would think you guys didn't want to teach, I would argue that given your desire to teach, you should be care to approach something like "capitalism is human nature" more carefully and generously than in the meme as you could change some minds with it.
I'd argue the teaching is in the comments for those who disagree but wish to learn. All good agitprop sparks discussion, not quiet acceptance or dismissal.
There are 2 issues.
There's a lot of discussion going on here, from what I see.
Interesting response to a point that invalidates the response.
Also you understand that the nature of the discussion in this situation is vastly different to a normal conversation, or a non-ml forum. This forum is a very political, primary ml, environment. You are primarily talking to people who generally agree with you. My critic is about how people who currently don't agree with you, maybe due to ignorance, will experience this meme, or the actions promoted in it. Making it bad agitprop. Unless your aim is to alienate the in-group from the out-group and not to recruit the out-group into the in-group.
I'm actually primarily talking to people that disagree with me, here. If you look at the other comments, most of my time is spent explaining the difference between Capitalism and Commerce.
People like yourself that take issue with it have largely taken to the comments, I've achieved my goal.
So we're not doing that up to your standards?
That is my critic. Yes, obviously you can feel differently about it. That is how criticism usually works, people having different concerns and expectations.
But as usual with opinions on things based in reality, either I am right about my concerns that it promotes a way of conversation harmful to the cause that It want to promote, or I am wrong. If I am right, then framing it as "up to my standards" is obviously dishonest as yes, it wouldn't be but because it is factually bad. "So capitalism isn't up to your standards.", you would probably say "yes, look at the fucking harm that it does".
Obviously I could be wrong, but that doesn't make the framing any better. Because either you know that I am wrong and you could respond with a proper argument, or you don't know that I am wrong and then you should consider the possibility that I am right and argue the point, instead of dismissing it by framing it as "my standards".
Please look at this conversation and ask yourself if you are engaging in the conversation with the intention to explore what kind of communication is best to promote your ideals, or just to dismiss my point. if it is dismissal, would I be justified to return the dismissal? Is that good for your cause? I think the answer is obvious.