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So far I’d say this book isn’t actually well written, it’s quite dry, but it’s so well researched!

I intuitively agree with the idea that humans don’t need to be inherently competitive, like it’s some “reflection of nature.” This is an oversimplification of our nature… and I like the idea that it is better to accept leftist ideology as necessarily multifaceted rather than fighting against it, because it actually strengthens through flexibility of application. What are our overarching theoretical claims?

I’ve had a couple mind blown moments so far! Particularly how they talk about how neoliberalism became the hegemonic ideology and how it has infiltrated our personal and interpersonal lives so insidiously (increased anxiety and feelings of isolation etc). Lots of interesting background on how neoliberal think tanks cultivated ideology over decades and sprung on a crisis moment to disseminate their ideas further…

Really interesting assessment/diagnosis so far of “folk politics” which emphasizes the local, spontaneous, and reactive approaches to organizing. Main point for me was the lack of demands and I find it interesting how leftist groups in the 70s had much clearer demands than we do today.

This basically reads like scripture… but it’s simultaneously sacrilegious and spiritual

This is the kind of book that tears the fibers of your life apart so they can come back stronger, like a good workout.

This is a book I could read again much later in life and experience it in a completely new way- perhaps I haven’t lived enough to fully appreciate it? It’s really beautiful and poetic, really moving. I think it’s best read in shorter doses rather than straight through because it doesn’t have a plot… it explores the philosophical richness of one moment. It’s a lot to take, maybe even life shattering 😳