30 Comments
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Brian Burns's avatar

this would just lead to more destruction and death.

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Justin McAffee's avatar

What resistance movement didn't? What if the United States response to Hitler was... well... fighting Germany will just lead to more death and destruction... Or the Vietnamese?

Of course if we don't stop the global destruction of ecosystems, nothing guerrilla fighters do could possibly match the death and destruction of the neoliberal global economy.

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Brian Burns's avatar

idk, people have been rebelling against tyrants since ancient egypt, and we're still in the same place. we understand psychology better now - we should use it to transform systems, not violence.

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Justin McAffee's avatar

We don’t understand psychology that well…. But we know enough to know people with power don’t give up power because you ask nicely. They don’t want a better system. The idea we are going to think our way out of this is unfounded as far as I can tell.

I would also strongly push back against the idea that organized resistance has been futile. It’s only recently been directed at ecological struggles… but indigenous people have survived because of it. The Zapatistas have protected large areas of Mexico because of it. It needs to be directed towards the right kind of bottom-up democracy and ecological priority. Now it’s entirely possible that it won’t be enough. But we literally have NOTHING to lose… and there is no other way.

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Brian Burns's avatar

you mentioned guerilla warfare, but that means hiding amongst the general population, and the powers that be won't care if they have to kill innocent people to get to fighters.

the world needs more harmony, but trying to get there through violence is just gonna make things worse...

and what happens if you manage to defeat those in power? how do we prevent the same thing from happening again?

we'd need a system based in our better understanding of psychology and systems anyway. so might as well try to use that to transform the world more gradually.

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Gifts from Goddess's avatar

Finally something REAL!

Upped my $ubscription.

Looking forward to future episodes … and getting some real answers to “what can I do?”

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Justin McAffee's avatar

Much appreciated.

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Big E's avatar

Looking forward to reading through these. I’m currently reading Che’s Guerrilla Warfare book and it was making me think we need an update to these guides to cover the total surveillance society we live in now. I’m using a VPN, signal etc, but how to resist when we are being “watched” all the time? Our very thoughts are being weaponized against us.

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Jill's avatar

Thanks for sharing the link and I immediately though of Che while reading this

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Justin McAffee's avatar

That’s what I’d like to do. I’m going to cover the fundamentals but then get into weeds of how to deal with drones for example. Many of the same principles apply, but require modern adaptations. I also am looking at Vietnamese literature like Vo Nguyen Giáp’s writings.

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Big E's avatar

Cool! Look forward to it.

Yeah looking at how autonomous drone technology is being used in Ukraine causes one to think about how that could be used against civilians here in the US. Drump might not have to order the military to fire shots.

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Dean Walker's avatar

I’m appreciating you and this action.

Would it be useful in any way to speak together on my YouTube channel

Podcast, The Poetry of Predicament?

I’d love to have you on to share whatever is shareable in that platform.

I’m Dean Walker safecircle@gmail.com

Thank you for your work and your love of life.

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Sandra Schoelles ECH's avatar

Have him on it would be cool

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Justin McAffee's avatar

Would love to. I’ll email you.

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Dean Walker's avatar

Fantastic.

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Andre Shumpert's avatar

So much to do and unfortunately so necessary. Thank you!

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MLS's avatar

Will stop fighting to save American democracy when to quote Winston Churchill, "I'm lying in the streets chocking on my own blood" #Resistance #Resist #WeAreTheFlood

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Angus Laird's avatar

Right on!

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Tara Perrot's avatar

This is exactly what we need. Thanks. I can feel the life returning to my withered soul already. Would love to be part of a working group. 🙏🙏

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Erin Q.'s avatar

Feeling a lot of momentum around this personally, and hoping to connect with like-minded, clear-thinking, grounded folks in my area. No one I’m close to is collapse aware, tbh. I will have to get creative. Community boards, maybe local Reddit post. Thank you, Justin.

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Arda Tarwa's avatar

Nice to fight. But not when there's nothing fighting FOR. Sure, my fight can fight THEIR fight, but so what? Then there's just more fighting.

There is no "Fight" unless there is an "After". A vision.

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peta's avatar

It’s my understanding the struggle is to help as many plants, animals, and humans make it through collapse. But maybe I didn’t understand. However, if I did that is enough of a vision for me during this unpredictable time. Better than sitting around.

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peta's avatar

I’m in my late sixties. Thus won’t be much help physically. I have arthritis. (keeping it real). However I’ve been collapse accepting/expecting for years now and want to learn as much as I can to help you younger folks, especially millennials and gen z, the birds and the bees, and the flowers and the trees. I’m in this for nature, not humans (sorry people). I’m fearless and have a big mouth which could possibly come in handy.

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Lee Williams's avatar

Ditto. I’m thankful for the courage here and a possible way forward.

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Lisa Yourell's avatar

I'm in my 60's, too. Arthritis and neurological issues. Spent my 20's - 40's pretty prepared for this with little homemade cottage, hand pump, and Woodstock. Gardened, foraged...

I feel less prepared now with a modern house but I have some knowledge and skills.

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Mousewizard gm-pres.tiiny.site's avatar

Subscribed based on this. It takes balls to go so public on this topic. Thanks.

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Justin McAffee's avatar

I've already had flack from it... but we'll keep on posting 'til the end. :-) Thanks for the support. It really helps.

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Ariane Beaudin's avatar

Got goosebumps reading this. It looks awesome and relevant.

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