Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber …
Every Thursday, 15:00, members of our house are meeting to discuss their reading Debt – The first 5000 years. Why? Because if we want to be activists of any kind, it’s important to understand why our world is the way it is. Our financial system defines the framework for our crapitalistic society – but we know very little of it. How are we to overcome the very thing we don’t have a clue about? The event is open to the public – even online: It is possible to join the meeting via videocall. The project was initiated by our in-house philosopher, Andreas.
Chomsky Day
With regard to freedom of speech there are basically two positions: you defend it vigorously for views you hate, or you reject it and prefer Stalinist/fascist standards. It is unfortunate that it remains necessary to stress these simple truths.
Noam Chomsky
Compared to what Prof. Noam Chomsky has provided the world, the non-existant Santa Claus has given us a negative amount: Nothing but perpetuating consumerism, based on false stories. The glorification of hyper consumism is taught to our kids at a time when their brains are most plastic and eager to learn about our society. It is very hard for parents to quit this, even if they understand all the downsides: What will their kids think of them? Will they be offended and maybe even bullied by their friends? Will they feel unloved, because their parents don’t celebrate christmas or give them tons of plastic gifts? One of our residents decided she would do the experiment. But raising a child, you learn sooner or later: you can’t take away without replacing.
Inspired by “Captain Fantastic“, a movie about a dad who raises his six kids in the forest as a single dad – whose kids become surprisingly educated, well-read and clever, we started celebrating “Chomsky Day”. With gifts and all. Close to the christmas season, Noam Chomsky‘s birthday, December 7th, is a great replacement, if you need one.
We started hosting dinners. Coincidental, one of us actually studied at MIT and had classes with Prof. Noam Chomsky, so that on the first such event – a public candle light dinner – he could tell us what he was like and some anecdotes. The second year, Marenka expanded her gifting of mostly books (the restriction for gifts on this day is “educational gifts”) that she had started with her kids, to the house. Chomsky day is one of the most important festivities of the house. We celebrate rational thinking, research, education and studying, direct action, freedom of speech – and experience this day as a direct contribution to the culture we want to live in.
The core of the anarchist tradition, as I understand it, is that power is always illegitimate, unless it proves itself to be legitimate. So the burden of proof is always on those who claim that some authoritarian hierarchic relation is legitimate. If they can’t prove it, then it should be dismantled.
Noam Chomsky
During these events, we traditionally watch some videos of his speeches or watched the documentary “Manufacturing Consent” about his early work on the power of Media. We also prepare an exquisite dinner, which we serve in candle lights and with the finest decoration.
The best of all is once it’s over, you’re free – while everybody else is fretting about what consumirist crap they might gift to their families, those of us who have given up christmas have the most relaxed december ever. Try it! Just say to your family:
I’m don’t subscribe to consumerism, nor to christianity, so christmas is really not my holliday…
The first year was hard. The following years, it was simply accepted. But remember: replace what you take away. Invite your family to Chomsky day! Traditions, celebrations and family gatherings are important. It doesn’t have to be Chomsky day – you can do it your way!