Wizard McMagic’s Reviews > How to Blow Up a Pipeline > Status Update

The last chapter delves into some discussion on climate fatalism and, as I saw it, how narcissistic it is. I wasn't surprised to read about those who are strictly against any form of resistance or collective action, but I was very interested to see a thorough critique of adventurism and unorganized militancy as equally fatalistic and self-serving.

The conclusion of the chapter, after much discussion of neglected tactics, muses on the when and how these tactics might be employed, to what extent, and the consequences if employed incorrectly. Namely, I think, it does emphasize a diversity of tactics with a core movement and multiple, more radical flanks working in tandem (Intentionally, or otherwise).

Some entertaining of the theoretical outcomes of well organized sabotage or property destruction, as well as musing on what exactly constitutes 'violence'. The idea being that equating property destruction with violence against people is ridiculous and taking that stance makes you hard pressed to find ANY resistance non-violent.

"The fall of the Berlin wall? People didn't caress the cement."

Discussion on types of 'sabotage' that don't involve running around and blowing stuff up, as well as the necessity to scrutinize and target consumerist emissions from the affluent and rich as a priority over the emissions of the impoverished. The distinction is made between "Luxury" and "Subsistence" emissions.

"Even in an emergency one pawns the jewelry before selling the blankets"

Analyzing a history of sabotage directed at fossil fuel equipment, from Palestine to South Africa to Europe, the question is raised why this sabotage is employed for the sake of many good causes, but *not* for the climate crisis, which these machines directly fuel.

As a contemporary reader, there's a cited example of Iran having incredible sabotage potential, yet refusing to perform any. This is very funny in 2026.

All cited examples of progress through strictly non-violent, pacifist means are gradually debunked. including more from another mentioned text: "Why Civil Resistance Works".

"The remaining question is whether it is possible to locate even one minimally relevant analogue to the climate struggle that has not contained some violence."

An overview of the Climate Movement's ideology regarding strictly non-violent tactics, as laid out by the XR handbook and climate activist Bill McKibben. The many historical examples of non-violent resistance being cited by each, laid out as evidence for the proposed plan of strategic non-violence.

Been meaning to pick this book back up again after nearly finishing it and dropping it. Eager to get back into it!

So far it's just laying out a history of tactics used by contemporary environmental movements, and then setting the stage to analyze the nature of their tactics.