A Revolution In Our Consciousness

[@Kathrin_yt]

How many of our revolutionary ideas are simply reproducing the systems we claim to oppose? What deeper shifts in consciousness are required for real, transformative change?

[@TomMS]

In my union work I've seen men's voices overpowering women's and men not often taking assistive roles like note-taking or communications work. Men would instead jockey for power in conversations by trying to win arguments and have their ideas put into practice, slowing down progress while putting down women. Thus, in trying to do the everyday work of revolutionary practice, we recreated patriarchal systems of work and dominance. We had to do conscious group work to help undo these patterns, and even then a subset of those men essentially revolted and tried to undermine our entire union movement in the end. Sometimes it's hard to prevent these sorts of things from happening, but I think regular group work early on could have prevented the eventual disaster and revolt that happened in this case. We need a self-reflective side to any movement that helps ground it and straighten out internal dynamics. There is often healing and support that needs to happen in any group of activists, as it's really emotionally taxing work. On a personal note I'll say that I've found great solace in Quaker meetings recently. I've found a very progressive meeting that does lots of activism, and that outside work is always grounded in the spiritual community of our weekly meetings. I don't exactly ascribe to the Christian God as many other Quakers might, but it's a very welcoming place and I do ascribe to many of the other Quaker beliefs and practices.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Great point! This is a dynamic I've seen time and time again too! And I love what you said about needing a self-reflective side to movements! I'm happy to hear the Quakers have been so helpful for you!

[@One_Sun_One_People]

I challenge you to ask The Aten's Crown GPT that question

[@jose.montojah]

We oughta keep in mind that "thou may act as you pleas for pirates art free, and thou art a pirate!"

[@oW0LFP4CKo]

History isn't just full of useless, failed attempts and structures unable to work at creating a healthy society. Unfortunately, many structures humans had thought up before could possibly be the answer to a healthy society, they were just outcompeted by the powers of the time, snuffing out the chance for these structures to grow and subsume the roll of society itself. As an example, the Anarchist coalitions in 1930s Spain - squashed by the power of Fascist military forces before it could become Spain's underlying sociopolitical structure.

[@diddles3383]

A quote I adore about embracing trickery from Watership Down: "All the world will be your enemy, Prince with a Thousand Enemies, and whenever they catch you, they will kill you. But first they must catch you, digger, listener, runner, prince with the swift warning. Be cunning and full of tricks and your people shall never be destroyed."

[@Kathrin_yt]

I LOVE this, I've added it to my quotes list, thank you for sharing!!

[@diddles3383]

​@Kathrin_yt of course! May I also recommend the book as well? I feel like it would be right up your alley :>

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@diddles3383 thanks!

[@partytime8092]

As someone who has burnt out of social justice spaces because of the very idea you're referencing here -- those spaces just recreating systems we oppose -- this video finally gave me an answer to the question I keep asking myself. When will i be ready to help others again? When will the work I do mean something again, when will I have comrades who I can trust again? I am in graduate school working for free and just barely getting by. I think, with regards to the flow state, i will be ready again once I leave these crushing conditions that any human being should not push themselves through.

[@Kathrin_yt]

very happy to hear this, yes no person should have to push through those conditions!

[@mord68c]

Peace from a social worker feeling a little less despair after watching this.

[@Kathrin_yt]

💕

[@anticarnism]

I am poor and going through a narcissistic no contact shit show situation right now and cannot contribute financially but I am passionately watching your content when I can access it and sharing it with whomever will watch. You make me feel so heard in a world that I am incessantly feeling like I do not belong in.

[@Kathrin_yt]

So sorry to hear your situation, and thank you so much for your beautiful comment!

[@xikano8573]

@@anticarnism 🙏🏽 One day at a time. Hang in there.

[@fluffycloud3529]

I have so so much I want to say- but I've decided I will just rewatch this video another time and then comment with more detail. Know that you said many, many things that I needed to hear and that you stirred up hope and motivation in me. Thank you so much for your work Kathrin, the effect of your words will ripple through me - and carry on further

[@falsificationism]

I'm often dismissive of inspiring quotes--all the good ones oversimplify _something_ if you think hard enough about it. But these were all so well chosen, and, as a whole, they inspire in exactly the right way! Well done.

[@Kathrin_yt]

haha I LOVE quotes as you can probably tell :D I'm happy to hear that it makes sense to people who aren't so into them! thank you!

[@alicia10387]

It’s funny, I met someone who thought like this and I thought there perspective was absolutely crazy and unrealistic and then after we continued to talk I thought there mind was amazing. 😂 I’m glad this video is here.

[@Anark]

This was a wonderful video! So glad you made it and so glad I got off my ass and contributed the quote reads. Prefiguration is the way forward. Keep up the good work

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@Anark thank you so much!! And you read the quotes with such passion, it added so much to the video! 💕

[@xikano8573]

First-time viewer/listener here. What you bring up here is something I've been grappling with myself. There have been a handful of revolutionaries in history that have managed to dance the dance without turning to the dark side themselves. What a tricky thing this is!!!

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you!!

[@darkestlight660]

As someone who is mostly materialist and finding most spirituality doubtful, the first part of this video was helpful. Puts things into perspective, not to necessarily change myself, but to not dismiss spirituality unless it perpetuates harm- just like anything else.

[@Kathrin_yt]

thanks so much for being open to having your perspective challenged in some way!

[@keirapendragon5486]

I have been most definitely science driven for most of my life. I have stepped into spirituality this year, Entirely By Accident, from the pursuit of bigger and greater understanding of everything in general, and driven by the necessity to recalibrate in the wake of severe burnout. By having taken time to stop, slow down, and giving my body and mind some peace to recalibrate, I've been stunned by the deluge of understanding and Peace that it has brought me. I used to be (and still am regarding commercialized nonsense) extremely skeptical of anything 'spiritual' beyond the love of and feelings nature invokes, but learning about eastern philosophies like The Dao, Hinduism, Jainism, and even the philosophical ideas of Carl Jung, and combining them with scientific ideas like quantum physics, string theory and more has made me see more of everything as the kind of nature that can evoke those feelings of wonder, awe, love and connection.... has made me see Myself, and others, in that same light. I've come to genuinely believe that there is something potentially very powerful and liberating in the possibility of understanding the world through the lens of Both Science And the Spiritual.

[@joeyrufo]

Have you studied dialectical materialism, comrade? Material itself is always in motion! It's not "cold and dead"! That doesn't mean it's "alive," rather that it's DYNAMIC! That's why WE'RE dynamic! We're made out of dynamic material!

[@darkestlight660]

@joeyrufo I haven't and I don't know if I'd agree with the premise except in a "everything in the universe is technically in motion" way which sure. But dynamic usually refers to something more specific than that

[@darkestlight660]

@@joeyrufo having done some research, do you mean in a hegalian sense or a Marxist sense? Because I have done the latter and I'm still not sure how that relates to your question 😭 Like, the focus on material circumstances as being the determinants of later outcomes throughout history? And how contradiction brings growth, like how capitalism and feudalism contradicted each other until capitalism grew and feudalism was deposed? Based on the context I don't think it's dialectical materialism in the Marxist sense 😔

[@Jinx-YouOweMeASoda]

We fight not just for bread, but for roses too

[@Jinx-YouOweMeASoda]

And with joy in the struggle

[@Kathrin_yt]

Yesss

[@merarifreethought]

This really resonates with me. I’ve realized recently that all I need to do is take small and consistent steps and connect with fellow humans. Overcoming the programing to do these things is a daily walk. This video is a great inspiration. The isolation and mental paralysis from overwhelm, fear and shame I feel sucks me in deep sometimes, but I keep getting back up, I keep trying, I keep moving forward 🙌

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you for your beautiful comment! I love to hear you want to keep trying, keep moving forward!

[@excrubulent]

18:57 "But the truth is progress is neither linear nor predictable. Sometimes revolutions spring up in a season, take over a patch of land, flourish and then are gone when winter comes." I had accepted the idea that progress is often mycelial, underground, like the next part says, but I never considered the idea that a "failed" revolution might be worth taking part in regardless. It just occurred to me that, rather than waiting and wondering if a significant break with the dominant system will happen in my lifetime, even if I only was able to see a glimpse of a better world for a single season, it would be better than never having seen an alternative. That thought weirdly gives me more hope than I had before.

[@hammersaw3135]

Your videos are always so insightful and well presented. You have the best voice and cadence for this type of content, it is like your voice is throwing flowers into my mind.

[@Prometheusforliberty]

This was an excellent time to release this video. I needed a dose of revolutionary optimism

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you!

[@xikano8573]

@@Prometheusforliberty 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@Andrewism]

Fantastic work! Took me a minute to get to it, but this is a much needed video in times like these 👏🏽 glad I could contribute

[@Kathrin_yt]

thanks so much for taking the time to watch, for your kind words and contribution to the video, grateful for you and your work! ♥

[@fluffycloud3529]

Absolutely amazing experience seeing my two favorite KZbinrs, the ones who inspire my anarchist fiction book collaberate together! I'm so happy to see this

[@Nernel]

Brings to mind the song "This Joy that I Have", which I learned to sing together with fellow queer folks and has bolstered and buoyed me though these dark days. It is a gospel song, but the beginning verses are spiritual but not particularly religious: "This Joy that I have the world didn't give to me This Joy that I have the world didn't give to me This Joy that I have the world didn't give to me The world didn't give it to me and the world can't take it away"

[@Kathrin_yt]

beautiful thank you for sharing!

[@LilayM]

I'm forever impressed with your gentle strength, and I'm grateful you share it with us ❤

[@corysmith9975]

Im just a queer person in dustass Idaho who's seen, contributed, and been beat down and spit out by the very cycle described in this video. Ever since I started to understand what hurt me I've been trying to get others, especially those on the frontline to see it to and to change their perspective to building a new perspective, a new objective of not defending our right to exist but by existing so authentically that the value of it will inherently deserve preservation, and will naturally do so if we lean into connection to one another and exploring the vastness within ourselves. I resonate with so much of what this video talks about, said so much more beautifully than I can, and because of this I have something I can at least point to and say THIS! Even though i am, its nice to not feel so alone. Thank you for making this video, as well as all your others which have been so instrumental for me. And thank you to the fellow viewers and commenters, if you read all of this, my hope in writing it is to show that even in the least likely, most infertile places, the seeds of revolution are here too. Im here, too.

[@Kathrin_yt]

this is so beautiful, brought a tear to my eye, thank you 💞

[@levinpantenburg6866]

I really enjoyed your perspective on meaningfully playing the trickster. If one is to serious about these matters one or at least I don’t have the capacity for openness which you related so skillfully to flow and alignment. The pain of the world and the overwhelming complexity caused me and still does to shut down my emotional capacity to engage. However even though i agree with the notion of a shift towards inter being in our consciousness is necessary for meaningful change to happen, one has to be careful not to fall into an individualistic trap. The Adam smith idea of individual improvement leading automatically to an improvement of society. Higher states of consciousness don’t necessarily guarantee psychological well being . In takes connection to people and purpose . Something I struggle with. Mostly because of my illusion of heroic grandiosity. Therefore i found this message very inspiring and uplifting. Thank you

[@Kathrin_yt]

Beautifully said thank you!! And I so agree about the individualistic trap. I'm constantly grappling with my individualism vs my collective ideals too! Thank you for your comment!

[@Wild-Rhino]

Thanks!

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thanks so much ☺️

[@River_Rune]

Another wonderful essay. Your list of references is very helpful, I hope this video reaches far and wide. Can't wait to share. Thank you! 💚🖤

[@Kathrin_yt]

thanks so much!

[@shineinouzen7412]

What ideas around how to create revolution are a product of my indoctrination into this culture and not ‘my’ truth? -The belief that something else must be torn down first, that the ones trying to oppress us must have their voices taken away first before the change can take place. Where am I reproducing the values and paradigms systems of oppression assigned to us? -By taking part in the idea of a hierarchal humanity, at times places myself below others in value/worth, and at times above others. How do I continue to bring that way of being into focus and choose everyday to operate from a different lens? -By choosing to reflect in meditation at least once every day, on who I was and who I want to be, before I let this world tell me who I am.

[@Kathrin_yt]

I love this thanks for sharing, those are great answers!

This was surprisingly positive and uplifting for a video about revolution, thanks. I think we definitely have lessons to learn from the mythologies of the various trickster gods about how non-linear solutions to problems can also be joyful or outright hilarious.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you 💕

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you 💕

[@lyoshawatchin]

A true revolutionary is led by love and patience. Good video.

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you!

[@seanfortes7156]

Its such a multifaceted idea or issue, or problem or solution. I sometimes like to emphasis opportunity, for people, individuals. A bit similar, to some of the ideas talked about in the video about radical rest. Often when people aren't given opportunity to decompress, on introspect, or be a bit "selfish", or get to enjoy small natural things, I think it can be easier to sort of conform to certain ways of thinking and acting that are being exerted upon us, from larger destructive forces. I mean, destructive to us, but not necessarily some, who benefit from such acts and attitudes, even attitudes which may seem against, but can be in service too. I think its why I like when people just get opportunities, like whether its free and easy educational access and, community projects, health care, UBI. At one point in my life, I had 2 jobs, was studying, and looking after family, and barely getting 4 hours sleep a night. I felt like it was the moral thing to do, given my circumstance, but it really didn't feel good, or health, and now I don't like when I hear people who are so overworked, for any reason. Also and this may seem a bit random, but the trickster in me, doesn't like AI writing assistants. Well, maybe more how some are advertised. I read a lot of text and opinions, from different people, some personal, many strangers, and I kind of like the little idiosyncrasies, occasional errors, odd habits, like writing too much, or not writing enough, or just... not sounding the same. Let alone having their points needed to sound more persuasive or neutral for career reasons. Maybe not the best example though. (I know they can also be good for some types of people for different reasons away from needless conformity, into competitive situations). Recently in my country, there has been a bit of tension, with a lot of protest over a bill that seeks to challenge a long held and established Treaty. It touches on tension between Indigenous people of my country. One of our MP's quotes also touched on the idea of being made a stranger in your own home, to feel unwelcome in a place you should belong, and but it was both powerful and amusing to see a cultural act of defiance towards a very silly and flawed attempt to challenge the bill, as well as various opposing MP's or voices trying to talk about "proper etiquette", "norms, conventions", "discipline", and you know, the things that benefit them, and serve them. One MP even made reference to how things were done in England as tradition, as far as dealing with such "behaviour" even though my country has been independent for over half a century. I generally think many people could benefit a lot, if we were all a bit slower in pace, as far as each other and selves. Oh, excellent video as always too. Its great too because many of the comments are of interest and unique value as well.

[@hawaiianbabyrose]

i always said that instead of doing business I'd rather be doing chillness, which is a pretty hippie dippie thing to say but i don't careee ^^

[@Kathrin_yt]

I like it 😅

[@PublicUniversalFriend69]

All I have to say is I absolutely love this video! I’ve been embarking on a similar journey myself recently, taking particular interest in the “The Fool” tarot card and all that the archetype represents - new beginnings, free spiritedness, curiosity etc. The Fool is definitely within the same vein as The Trickster and I feel we can indeed learn a lot by surrendering to possibilities and finding freedom in the absurdity.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thanks so much ☺️

[@mexicanhalloween]

I thoroughly disagree with Iddo Landau that there have only been "a few dozen such people", there have been tens of thousands of people just as capable, they were just never lucky enough to receive the material conditions necessary to realize their potential. The vast majority of these talented individuals died toiling in some lord's field, or in some petty skirmish, or of any number of the consequences of the poverty they enforce, only "a few dozen such people" happened to receive the whims of aristocratic patronage or nepotism. There are definitely subversive qualities to the ways of knowing that were discarded by capitalism, a lot of them are not compatible with their superstructure, but there are also dead ends, like Lysenko, and practices that are just as empty, but merely not as effective a vessel to reify The First Estate.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Oh that’s a very good point!!

[@Kathrin_yt]

Reminds me of the quote by Stephen Jay Gould wrote in The Panda's Thumb: "I am, somehow, less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops".

[@xikano8573]

@@Kathrin_yt Whoa!

[@Katie-rq7bv]

Encountering your work has been a catalyst for me. Something is shifting, and i dont know what it is or what it will look like but today it looks like mending a stuffed animal ive had since I was a kid and remembering that feeling worthless and useless because I'm not doing "enough" is exactly what the powers that be want for me.

[@Kathrin_yt]

This makes me so happy! I love that you are mending the childhood animal, somehow I have a feeling that is just so perfectly what we need in the world right now ❤️

[@addammadd]

I educate my daughter in the home. A common question I ask her to remind her of the distinction between her ideology of self and her ethical sense is: is it better to be a baker, or to bake?

[@Kathrin_yt]

I love this!

[@komugemon8010]

People want to make contributions to their community. They want to be valued for their efforts. It just so happens jobs are the absolute worst way to do that. Especially modern jobs

[@Kathrin_yt]

Absolutely

[@joeyrufo]

16:38 WE NEED TO SYNTHESIZE THE MARTYR WITH THE TRICKSTER! WE NEED TO BE JOYFUL IN OUR SELF-SACRIFICE!

[@Samuel_L.B]

I love the empathy, passion, creativity, authenticity and intentionality you bring into your videos. ❤ Personally, in relation to this video, I have been learning to slowly let go of the pursuit of "normalcy" in my personal life and in how I want to bring change in the world, instead I'm learning to redefine my own human experience. I've realized that so much of my identity, aspirations, self-worth and understanding of purpose has been shaped by systems in our society that set the standard of "What is normal" (Capitalism, patriarchy, traditional values, societial norms, Neo-Feudalism). These social systems do have elements of oppression, they distorte and disconnect our relationship with our own humanity. looking at revolution both personally and socially, I'm coming to terms with how I've spent year's desperately pursuing narratives that aren't true, standards that are unrealistic and values that don't serve me or anyone, but instead uphold systems of oppression in the misguided purist of "normalcy" which at it's core is unrecognised "Conditioning". I am now working on bringing awareness towards undoing my conditioning towards revolution in society and personal liberation. True revolution, to me, stems from "Coming Home " to our humanity, our natural desire for purpose, meaning and community. Through deep listening to our internal wisdom, we can guide ourselves towards a life of purpose. Sorry if I ranted here. I'm 23 and I'm just trying to figure out life. Much love from South Africa. 😅❤

[@Kathrin_yt]

This is so beautifully said, thank you for taking the time to right this, it actually mirrors so much of what I'd just been journaling about - thank you for giving me more food for thought!

[@Samuel_L.B]

@Kathrin_yt Thank you, your content challenges me and makes me think deeply about a lot of personal and universal issues. I really appreciate your work. ❤️

[@Kathrin_yt]

@ thanks so much 💕

[@komugemon8010]

The martyr archetype is defintely idolized and over-promoted, but I feel like elevating the trickster to its position comes with its own problems. Bc I think the equivalent idolization of the trickster has produced the Troll. The one who's allergic to all sincerity, jokes on everything and slides into reactionary movement. Kinda like the idolized Martyr, who became The Dour. It's not really a problem on 'The Left' rn, Trolls are definitely concentrated on The Right rn, but definitely something to watch out for.

[@Kathrin_yt]

oh interesting, that's a good point, thanks for adding a perspective I hadn't considered!

[@stephenmccagg]

The oppressed, instead of striving for liberation, tend themselves to become the oppressors... Paulo Frierre

[@cedricburkhart3738]

If you do not understand reality your ability to effect it is often condemned to trial and error.

[@adoreandu-bread-k3q]

Thank you!

[@RichardDann-i5p]

you're awesome... thank you 🙏

[@Kathrin_yt]

💓

[@3peopleinaroom50]

Instant like for the production quality.

[@3peopleinaroom50]

And absolutely love the message. very humanist

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you ☺️

[@bencontention1219]

this video is such a fabulous symphony of rejuvenating concepts. thank you

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you!

[@Traverser17]

Great video full of inspiring ideas. Thank you!

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you!

[@benjaminmiller3075]

Fantastic. Working to give my own spiritual interests a place in this highly political time

[@Kathrin_yt]

💕

[@TLamparter]

Several times here you described me in a way I hadn't dared to look at myself.

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you for your comment, being open to looking and receiving what I had to share!

[@Littlebeth5657]

Thank you for giving me some hope on a grey morning

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you for your comment!

[@shadeaquaticbreeder2914]

1:08 I am liking what I'm hearing so far. To me it generally comes down to framing/perspective. I always say that the premise of the question is always wrong. For example: The gun debate. I never hear anyone say, even as a caveat, that they would like to live in a community/world where they don't have to fear their neighbors. And for the wage debate, people are talking about $15/hr min and I hear people say that's not a good idea bc it will raise prices and small businesses won't be able to pay that much (ignorant at best I know but these are real Americans lol), but I never hear anyone say that by the time we get 15/he we will need 25 (I was saying that in 2016) or that it would be fundamentally and structurally better to do something like cap the profitability of a company so they had to either pay their employees more or lower the price of their goods, in theory. But that's still better in every way than what we have now and what is talked about. Housing, why don't we just give people houses and have communal/govt apartments where you pay for cost of operations and upkeep and not just giving someone money that won't even fix anything or be held to any standards. What is even with credit? That's just dumb.

[@sonder2874]

Your videos calm me down and remind me to be kinder to myself. Thank you ❤️

[@Kathrin_yt]

This makes me happy to hear thank you!

[@coolshah1662]

Great video, though I only half agree. It's fine to find joy in things, but without suffering, you'd never understand the margins. You'd always be at the center and would only cling to joys. Suffering, to me, is essential in looking from the outside in as you can't end up at the margins without being pushed out in some way. It doesn't happen simple because you will it.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you! And I agree I think we can't have joy without sadness, compassion without suffering, light without dark etc. As I said in the video, I do think we need to be able to hold both in some way.

[@Justin.D.DC4L]

✌🏽

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thanks so much ❤️

[@Justin.D.DC4L]

​@@Kathrin_yt Maybe your best video.

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@Justin.D.DC4L happy to hear that!!

[@nobodynowhere21]

I enjoy the way your mind flows.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you ☺️

[@tumblrfrankenstiened]

it's nice to have some fairly positive content rn :)

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@tumblrfrankenstiened yeah world events right now are some of the hardest I’ve had to process in my lifetime, I’m glad this offered some small positivity in the wake of it all

[@johnwalsh9839]

Great video!

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you!

[@00PlPu00]

Mark Fisher wrote about capitalist realism. Talking to other leftists who are not anarchists or libertarian socialists I have the clear impression "nation-state realism" is also a thing. It is insane how otherwise progressive and even revolutionary people cannot see past a construct that is around for a few centuries and was imposed onto the world not many decades ago...

[@Kathrin_yt]

fascinating thanks for sharing!

[@00PlPu00]

@@Kathrin_yt Thank you for the great video :)

[@Kathrin_yt]

@ 🥰

[@pindebraende]

Thank you

[@Kiki-Delivering]

Amazing video ❤

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@Kiki-Delivering thank you

[@cosmoscache]

You are a blessing 💜

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you ☺️

[@ryanlacroix6425]

fantastic video. you have done a great job.

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@ryanlacroix6425 thank you 😊

[@Maageab]

I just finished reading 'Attachements, investigation on our ties beyond humans' by Charles Stepanoff. I don't think the book has been translated into English. The author definitely values animist cultures immensely, yet he also mentions that some animist cultures had slaves. Certain animist societies have gone back and forth between hierarchy and non-hierarchy, between everyone having shamanic power, to one person being recognized as having a special connection to the spirits of the forest (until they start abusing that power). He even proposes that animist beliefs were a necessary component in the rise of early states. Gifts that were originally given to the spirits as an expression of gratitude end up being given to a human shaman who seems (an claims) to have a special connection with the spirits. This may have become the basis for tax collection. The suggestion is that power was initially granted consensually to someone who seemed to be better able to influence spirits and manage the uncertainty of the harvest and the hunt. He brings up compelling similarities between shamanic cultures in Alaska, South-East Asia and elements found in medieval europe. He argues that slaves in an animist society such as the Tlingits were severed from their spiritual connection to animal spirits. They were forced to lead a purely material existence. Now I suspect the author and other proponents of animism will see this as a confirmation that animism was stolen from us and that materialism needs to be rejected as it was forced on us to reduce the wealth of connections we had to the world. I personnaly don't think that this is an obvious conclusion. I won't claim that materialism protects us from the consensual rise of a shaman chief. We have our own secular priests who claim to have a special abilitiy to influence the invisible hand of the market in our favor. What I believe though is that animism and materialism are not as far apart as contemporary conversations about animism make it out to be: theres is no contradiction between materialism and the notion that drugs, dreams and meditation can teach us important things about ourselves and our connection to the world. There is no contradiction between materialism and an understanding of the world as a complex web of relations that we depend on to survive. Materialism doesn't imply a separation of the spirit from the body, in fact materialism sees the mind and the brain as two sides of the same coin. Many terms we use to talk about relations between humans are also used to talk about relations between atoms (phobic, philic, attract, repell, take, give...) wether we decide to describe this as 'humans being as dead as atoms' or 'atoms being as alive as humans' is arbitrary and only reveals the side we have picked in a false debate. In the end I believe the only thing that matters is our awareness of the dangers posed by the rise of hierarchies and privileges, and the approaches we can use to oppose their manifestation.

[@WiseandVegan]

Yes, very very off 👉 The Connections (2021) [short documentary] ❤

[@kylezo]

This was definitely pretty dense but I'm still gonna be a new subscriber. Sometimes I like a think piece.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Awesome, thank you!

[@kylezo]

I want to be a Lenin, but you're right, we're mostly invisible in service to revolutionary day to day work. The individualism inherent in capitalism encourages this idealized individual changemaker aspiration and alienates us from the every day community building and humility that it requires

[@Kathrin_yt]

Yessss exactly!!

[@DOMinatorxXx42]

These are good questions at the beginning. People are in such a state of cognitive dissonance and the dunning kruger effect and they don't know right from wrong and when someone says we need to do away with dominant systems and implement a more natural way of living, they equate it to hippie think because that's where their frames of references are. So a revolution happening in this day and age is likely impossible, at least one aligned with natural law that will implement true change. Natural law and aligning our perceptions and actions with it is the only way to generate true freedom, not based in dominance and coercion. Cicero said "It is graceful in a man to think and to speak with propriety, to act with deliberation, and in every occurrence of life to find out and persevere in the truth. On the other hand, to be imposed upon, to mistake, to falter, and to be deceived, is as ungraceful as to rave or to be insane. " What this means is when people's false contradictory worldviews are confronted with truth, their mind just split and they go literally insane because their cognitive dissonance is too strong. People have been conditioned to hate natural law and fear their fellow man and woman. They've been infantalized by perceived authority figures, school, and likely their own parents' shortcomings. Because of this. Most possible aren't ready for natural and true anarchy because that requires them to take responsibility for themselves as individuals, and not rely on the state for provisions and protection. I think the best thing to do, at least in the US, would be to at least go back to the way the constitution is supposed to be and go from there. I would prefer the articles of confederation, however I don't think people are responsible enough even for that. Mainly because they become the militia instead of relying on police and military for everything. It would take generations before natural law came to be widely understood. Even then, the damage of the last 4000 years (or more) of dominant empire civilization demanding tribute from it's people and waging wat at their expense is a trauma that runs deep and may never go away for our species.

[@Kathrin_yt]

thank you for sharing your thoughts and that quote, and for your kind words!

[@DOMinatorxXx42]

@Kathrin_yt Well I wouldn't necessarily call my words kind, I just tried to explain the biggest hurdle to initiating a revolution of consciousness which are cognitive dissonance and the dunning kruger effect. That's the state of the average person.

[@alansegura5953]

I have come to the conclusion that we all generations born from the 90s until at least the 2020s are transition generations. We won't see a successful revolution in our lifetime (probably), but that doesn't mean the work we do now won't have an impact in the revolutions of the future. Our historical role is to digest all the lessons from the revolutions of the XX century (the good, the bad, successes and failures, limitations) to create a theoretical and practical body that is up to date with current material conditions and capable of eventually surpassing the socialism of the past. In other words, we are the generation that is moving "towards a new socialism", like the title of that genius Paul Cockshott and Allin Cottrell book. We will not be the ones to storm the Winter Palace or the Capitol (in a revolutionary way, not like the Trump supporters); but hopefully we will be the generation that provides the tools and constructs the appropriate social, inter-personal and ideological context so that future generations are able to do it. At least that is the revolutionary hope that I have arrived to and that keeps me awake in this long night of late capitalism 😊

[@Kathrin_yt]

I love this interpretation of us as a transition generation, thanks for sharing your optimism!

[@LadyRavenhaire]

Lenin in Finland stated, we'll never see revolution in our lifetime but may our children will. As he was making this speech, he was interrupted and told Lenin, the revolution has taken place. We never know when revolution may happen..

[@whowereweagain]

My thoughts on revolution follow this quote from Charles s Peirce "in order to learn you must desire to learn, and in so desiring not be satisfied with what you already incline to think, there follows one corollary which itself deserves to be inscribed upon every wall of the city of philosophy: Do not block the way of inquiry." And what deleuze and Guattari wrote about the immanence of desire, to directly invest the social field. They say that the oppressive social and economic machinery couldn't stand even the simplist living desire. Anyways I don't have time to write about this here. The just of it is that the main obstacle is people not wanting revolution and instead desiring their own oppression. And when it comes to people who are revolutionaries, the problem is they are too confined to trying to fix the world as it is instead of looking for ways to make the world as they would like it to be. So I'm calling for a revolutionary pragmatics that actively pushes past the limits that ideology, conventional thinking, ignorance, and oppression place on it. Desire is agape, a force to change that can bring about the world to come simply by wanting what it wants. The most revolutionary thing I do is put my hands on my heart and think about how much i want change. We're all connected like that you know, d and g machinic unconscious works very well with the worldview that is typified by woo woo quantum mysticism(scientifically im talking electrophysiology x field theory, e.g. heartmath institute) so does peirce on the continuity of general ideas. Too complicated and heady for a useful KZbin comment for sure.

[@Kathrin_yt]

well said, I love the part about how the most revolutionary act, according to them, is deeply desiring change from the heart.

[@aerynnsteele]

I will be honest: my initial reaction to this thesis was pretty negative and defensive. I am a former conservative Christian turned agnostic scientist. So, the idea of embracing spirituality over rationality or recognizing chaos over attempting to define the world rings as dangerous or foolish to me. I am someone who thrives in rules and structure; someone who seeks to understand and categorize the world. And I don’t think that I have really changed my mind on that. However, I still found value in your video. First, I think the importance of small-scale impacts over needing to have everything you do be the “most” or the “best” is a very useful idea. That is what drives me to pursue teaching rather than a research in my field (climate science). Second, there is certainly a danger in relying on rationality and rigidity over emotions and flexibility. I could point to the New Atheist movement or to incel culture or to the tendency of scientists to overlook knowledge from outside their tradition. While I may disagree on the *extent* to which you propose shifting away from strict rationality and embracing the trickster, I still think the *direction* of that shift is useful for people like me to internalize. Thanks, as always, for a thought provoking video.

[@Kathrin_yt]

thanks so much for being open to receiving the video even if it doesn't fully mesh with your views. I think a lot of people tend to stick to echo chambers, so it's great that you're open minded and curious to other views!

[@moderngoblin]

Best video ever made.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thank you 😊

[@zayansayed1060]

💛

[@DansDiary123]

no urgency in the eternity only in untruth do we find such a thing as time

[@EayuProuxm]

I was fully expecting to see some pics of Kleiner Schlingel just being a little piggy, but then the plot twist happened. Condolences

[@Kathrin_yt]

@@EayuProuxm hahah

[@zeideerskine3462]

I highly recommend the Dis series by Robert Kroese.

[@Kathrin_yt]

oh hadn't heard of it, thanks for the recommendation!

[@stoopidoof]

The part about martyrdom is quite prescient.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thanks!

[@GodLandon]

Preach

[@serioussilliness2064]

You talk like Salad Fingers I love it.

[@Kathrin_yt]

😂😂

[@Kathrin_yt]

😂😂

[@Seagreengoat]

💚

[@eiwhaz-tina6528]

Hey, do I need to be a Patreon to join the server?

[@Kathrin_yt]

Yes, I found it's a way of avoiding trolls and created a tighter, smaller community and also is something I wanted to do as a gift/reward for being a patron :)

[@eiwhaz-tina6528]

@Kathrin_yt I see I see

[@X_TheHuntsman_X]

Here's my thing, and I'm a chemical engineer degree holder who has had engineering jobs in medical device manufacturing, to R&D for NASA's ECLSS group, to helping put SLS around the moon in the Atemis I mission, etc.... Anyway, I'd be really cautious about giving into magical thinking purely as a means to subvert a "dominant culture." This is what hippies did, and the path was pretty clearly laid for them to become reactionaries. I can appreciate how some of these things might create a community around them, but they are copes, not materially beneficial, revolutionary bases for change. Additionally, consider that the medical advancements all, mostly, work where they aren't depression or anxiety medications meant to ease our alienation symptoms. Rich people are living longer and healthier because of them. Don't let a lack of access to them be the reason we turn to magic.

[@starproxy_exe]

As a neuroscience and behavior major with experience working in research labs and with medical professionals, I want to clarify what I believe was the intended point. It’s not about advocating for "magic" in a literal sense. Instead, it’s about turning an entire system on its head to shift perspectives and drive change. Historically, revolutions have never relied on just one plan or one method. They’ve often required diverse approaches, some of which operated outside the confines of existing systems. This isn’t about abandoning material advancements but recognizing that systemic transformation often involves creative and unconventional thinking to challenge and disrupt dominant cultures.

[@myca9322]

as a preface, just to point out that i'm not anti-science, i'll state that i'm currently employed in a phd program focusing on quantum info theory. i think your criticism is somewhat misplaced. i actually agree with you on almost all points, except for what appears to be an implicit assumption that such thinking replaces other modes of thought. it's possible that the term "magic" can get in the way. so i'll use "imaginative thinking" instead. the point is NOT that this mode of thought should replace the technical. one point is that the imaginative ("magical") can possibly illuminate contingent assumptions that a technical perspective might take for granted. it might see possibilities or opportunities that the technical does not. i dont think a "revolutionary basis for change" could possibly be grounded solely in any particular mode of thought, but nor could it develop out of the suppression of ways of thinking. i'd guess such a basis can find its ground only out of a recognition that there is no clean separation between thought and action, between postures and exercises. hence the question shouldn't be "how can magical thinking get us out of this?" but rather "how can we get out of this?", allowing ourselves to use any tools consistent with our ground.

[@starproxy_exe]

@@myca9322 ^I completely agree with this sentiment. I’d even go so far as to assume that this algorithm resonated with people who value intellectualism and truth. How can we ever expect meaningful change if we keep repeating the same actions over and over? According to the scientific method, repeating the same factors will yield the same or similar results. So, what’s the solution? Shake things up!

[@X_TheHuntsman_X]

Fair critiques of my analysis all, and appreciated. Just wanted to drive the distinction. I do think creative thinking is absolutely necessary to get us out of the position we are in. I think I just got my hackles up at the term "magic." I appreciate the additional perspectives. ♥️

[@starproxy_exe]

@@X_TheHuntsman_X I see where you're coming from and it is important to promote intellectualism and respecting science. At the same time, as a scientist at heart, I do think of certain instances in tech/science as "magic". The internet is pretty 'magical' if you were to ask me :D

[@LongDefiant]

I think communal farming is revolutionary. It denies profits to capitalism and connects us to the land and each other.

[@Kathrin_yt]

Yesss!

[@bernardheathaway9146]

✌🏾✌🏾

[@Kathrin_yt]

💞

[@poppysunsettlingstories]

Touching grass.

[@Rainbowhippow]

I hear yippie I say yay! XD

[@LadyRavenhaire]

We can only live life the best we can. We also are not an island within ourselves. To contrast the West with oppressed nations is the height of disservice and Western arrogance. Its toxic positively to argue people who are living under bombs don't have the right to feel desponded, but must somehow feel joy as some forced emotion. Being a good person and/or revolutionary in any age requires self-sacrifice. Its not always fun to be a good person, but to argue that good people don't enjoy life or enjoy sacrifice for a better world is just nonsense. Do you think the Early Christians martyrs, Che Guevera, or Lenin didn't feel joy in their hearts and only felt unhappiness and despondency? This idea of the oh, so serious revolutionary is just left virtue signaling. It is people who love mankind, who have joy in their hearts that are revolutionaries. When i sacrifice to perform a good deed? I take joy in the happiness my sacrifice made. In the 1930's, the Communist Party USA used to hold dance and movie nights, sing alongs, and reading groups. Why? Because revolution requires the buiding of community. It also requires for people to take back culture to overcome the cultural hegemony of the elite. For revolution to happen, people have to organize. Organization requires play and socialization. Western Marxists don't understand this today because they've never experienced being in such parties.

[@viinisaari]

Tough sell, my ex-partner fell into hare krishna due to "questioning western philosophy" and became a pretty unreasonable reactionary. And claimed they see the truth now. You know, the truth in all its homophobic, misogynistic, violent and authoritarian colors..

[@Kathrin_yt]

I'm sorry this was your experience with your ex-partner! The way I see it, I think there are ways in which spirituality can be used to promote oppression and ways in which is can be used as a liberatory force. If we don't engage with it, we could potentially seed ground to be co-opted by f*cked up people. That's not to say everyone needs to be spiritual, but it's a potential source we can learn, grow and heal from.

[@00TheD]

Answer= all of them. Explaination candle makers and users would have never imagined a world full of light bulbs. And to the indigenous ways of being...if your were possesed by greed and control they called it watiko, and someone who is possesed by watiko wouldnt know. Your use of buzzwords shows that although your heart might be in the right place...the road to hell is paved with good intentions...your ways will lead there. Empty understanding focused on wrong with other...whcih is excatly how we got here. Problem isnt over there or with the past. It can be hard to see on the big scale that everything is as it needs to be to get where were going. I say this knowing that my own views will be entirely misunderstood. And im okay with that.

[@arthurmauricio9449]

As pessoas não são só pão, são pão e poesia .Trotsky

[@kinglewisjtl24]

The spirit guided you here, listen closely.

[@Kathrin_yt]

I love this!

[@Marigold11]

western thougth and philosophy falls utterly short at life questions.

[@Kathrin_yt]

💯

[@NomDayPloom]

Including Marx, Engles and so many others who shine light on the nature of the West? Should we not include the dissenters as a part of a Western tradition and Western philosophy? In de-Othering the Others, do we make a new Other?

[@endeavourszay7604]

Hey, great video! May I ask is the thesis of the video that one is not compelled to always do the utilitarian thing - as this mindset is a capitalist one of "more and more"? Have a great day!

[@Kathrin_yt]

Thanks for the question, I wouldn't say that's the thesis, but yes I do agree that the idea of always doing the utilitarian thing is a capitalist idea. The thesis is perhaps an investigate to how many of our revolutionary ideas are simply reproducing the systems we claim to oppose? What deeper shifts in consciousness are required for real, transformative change?

[@endeavourszay7604]

@@Kathrin_yt Hey, thank you for the answer! Okay yeah, I understand. It is that we often think only suffering in a "hard working" sense brings us to liberation, but that might be misleading, that more joyful ways are also there. But may I still ask, do you think that always doing always the utilitarian thing which you think stems a capitalist idea is also just unhuman? That we are not and should not be that kind of martyr machines?

[@ModestMa0ist]

dum dum

[@gmw3083]

Quit the city and the system. Abandon Babylon. Head for the hinterland. Let nature be your guide..

[@SolarpunkSeed]

rewild the cities

[@Broken_robot1986]

Don't blame cities.

[@gmw3083]

@@SolarpunkSeed That can be done. After the fall.

[@gmw3083]

@@Broken_robot1986 Look into mouse utopia. Look into history.

[@SolarpunkSeed]

@@gmw3083 can be done now.