Pessimism or Hope

[Young Master Smeet]

SocialistPunk wrote:

Another non answer YMS. I hope this is not going to be a become a habit.

It was  full answer, we organise anti-capitalist demos and meetings all the time, no-one shows up, we don't have the size or resources to organise an impresive demonstration (all we can demonstrate is our weakness).

[Young Master Smeet]

SocialistPunk wrote:

Alan, you've mentioned a few times now party members reluctance to appear on this forum. Indeed I have seen one or two statements being put forward by members of this forum on behalf of party members who either can't or won't post themselves.Have you, or any party forum members, any idea as to why some refuse to contribute to an open party discussion forum?

Some of them don't like using computers.

[Anonymous]

Young Master Smeet wrote:

SocialistPunk wrote:

Alan, you've mentioned a few times now party members reluctance to appear on this forum. Indeed I have seen one or two statements being put forward by members of this forum on behalf of party members who either can't or won't post themselves.Have you, or any party forum members, any idea as to why some refuse to contribute to an open party discussion forum?

Some of them don't like using computers.

And, believe me, many more don't like the way some users conduct themselves…  comrades have far better things to do than to witness attention-seeking tantrums which have plagued this forum for far too long.

[SocialistPunk]

Young Master Smeet wrote:

SocialistPunk wrote:

Another non answer YMS. I hope this is not going to be a become a habit.

It was  full answer, we organise anti-capitalist demos and meetings all the time, no-one shows up, we don't have the size or resources to organise an impresive demonstration (all we can demonstrate is our weakness).

My apologies YMS.I did say the low membership issue is a hindrance when it comes to orgainising such publicity drives.

[Anonymous]

gnome wrote:

 attention-seeking tantrums which have plagued this forum for far too long.

'attention seekers, lolI'd forgotten about that one. It can be added to 'troublemakers', and Alb's 'moaners'If that is the most contructive reply to genuine arguments for change, then they best stay away anyway.  '

[alanjjohnstone]

Gnome, i know what you are getting at and i know some members have adopted the attitude to leave them to it and stay away, so to speak, but if we care to look at the archives of Spopen and WSMforum, these exact same tendencies existed on those as well, yet we still have a few members who have not migrated to this list and persist posting on the old ones even if it is to practically an empty hall …YMS is right, some members don't like computers but those members who have modern mobiles and Facebook and for ever texting and sending pictures, it seems the Party itself aren't getting the thumbs ups and we don't make friends….We are part of the unsocial media, it seems.However, it is the internet and web where i see our greatest potential for activity and if we can't get it right for fellow members, we do have a big challenge on our hands to use it to communicate with fellow workers. Lets get it skype…oopps i meant right    

[SocialistPunk]

gnome wrote:

Young Master Smeet wrote:

SocialistPunk wrote:

Alan, you've mentioned a few times now party members reluctance to appear on this forum. Indeed I have seen one or two statements being put forward by members of this forum on behalf of party members who either can't or won't post themselves.Have you, or any party forum members, any idea as to why some refuse to contribute to an open party discussion forum?

Some of them don't like using computers.

And, believe me, many more don't like the way some users conduct themselves…  comrades have far better things to do than to witness attention-seeking tantrums which have plagued this forum for far too long.

Don't be ridiculous Gnome. I hardly think furious disagreement is a recent development in the SPGB. As far as I can make out there have always been heated clashes.I think I recall reading on SPintcom a few years ago, Paddy Shannon saying something about some members being too thin skinned and need to toughen up, when it comes to the rigours of heated debate.I think there are members who are scared of the online discussion world. Actual physical debates are a lot safer than online, as the person with the bottle to stand up and speak often has the advantage. A confident, reasonably knowledgeable party speaker can probably come across quite well at a traditional physical meeting/debate. Online is a whole different ball game. It's often more like being circled by a pack of hyenas.  This forum is a relatively safe place.Digital communication is here to stay, party members better to get used to it ASAP.

[LBird]

Socialist Punk wrote:

A confident, reasonably knowledgeable party speaker can probably come across quite well at a traditional physical meeting/debate. Online is a whole different ball game. It's often more like being circled by a pack of hyenas.

Speaking as an 'attention seeking, troublesome, moaning, hyena' [thanks for the list, Vin], I can reassure any passing onlookers that the corpse of the 'traditional' SPGB has been well and truly gutted.'Physically' and intellectually.[Ooops… they only recognise the 'physical', but don't mention Marx, and they're happy, passing onlooker]

[SocialistPunk]

Thought you'd left us for good LBird.Welcome back, though I doubt many others will share that sentiment. Try not to get suspended again.

[moderator1]

Reminder: 1. The general topic of each forum is given by the posted forum description. Do not start a thread in a forum unless it matches the given topic, and do not derail existing threads with off-topic posts.

[Brian]

Interesting article: http://socialismoryourmoneyback.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/socialism-is-state-of-mind-neither.html which provides some additional material for this conversation.

[alanjjohnstone]

Those like myself, the prophets of doom and gloom, may well be mistaking the much necessary re-charging of the batteries of the Party for their actual depletion and exhaustion. Hopefully, we are taking a much needed breather before emerging for the next round of class war. 

[alanjjohnstone]

Should these 10 reasons offer us hope for socialism?http://libcom.org/blog/10-reasons-communism-will-win-15072013

[Young Master Smeet]

SocialistPunk wrote:

My apologies YMS.I did say the low membership issue is a hindrance when it comes to orgainising such publicity drives.

Exctly, and we are organising them, at level approproate to our means and membership.

[Anonymous]

Young Master Smeet wrote:

SocialistPunk wrote:

My apologies YMS.I did say the low membership issue is a hindrance when it comes to orgainising such publicity drives.

Exctly, and we are organising them, at level approproate to our means and membership.

 Me thinks we are dancing around the subject, shirly?Do we turn up at  demonstartions as an indication of support for  the working class, or are we there to set up stall in opposition to inform them that they are wasting their time?   

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