Posted July 18, 2008
Yep. That's right. One of those crazy Lawrence anarchists has finally joined the ranks of the Lawrence.com blog-o-sphere. It's a big turnaround on Lawrence.com, a big leap forward from the days of blogger Jason Barr sarcastically critiquing us on this very website every day for weeks following the outbreak of the war in Iraq and our protests and responses to the invasion.
I've always had a fascination with media and the way it impacts people, and in this case, I've been an avid blog reader since I discovered the medium. Blogs are everything I love about writing.
The written word has had the most profound impact on the development of my political and social ideals. In the late 90's, while Jello Biafra spat out the lyrics of "Police Truck" in the background, I found a book called Living My Life by an amazingly well spoken woman, Emma Goldman.
Her book read like blogs read now, offering social commentary on personal stories from her lifetime. I was obsessed and read both volumes in four days. And then read them again. And again. Emma was a Russian Jew who became an anarchist in the 1880's, strongly influenced by the execution of the Haymarket Martyrs in 1887. (These are topics that will all be explored in future blogs, I'm sure.)
So... what was my point again? Oh yes... I like to read, and write, and find writing to be so important in a time of pending social control at the hands of a state with growing power. So, hopefully this blog can be my contribution to the growing discourse in blogland. And maybe I can make future blogs more interesting and witty... and maybe I can one day be the Emma Goldman to another person looking for some inspiration. Or more likely, I can at least start a lot of bickering and even more name calling within the forums and comment sections.
All power to the imagination... and other cheesy anarchist catchphrases...
Comments
Anonymous Shelby says...
Perhaps he was turned off, as a lot of thoughtful people were, by the immature antics masquerading as social responsibility exercised by the "anarchists".
Just wanted to start this blog off RIGHT!!
Posted 18 July 2008, 2:42 p.m. Suggest removal
April Fleming dolores2175 says...
I went to a protest about 8 years ago in Kansas City to protest... something. Taking back the streets? I don't remember. But nobody around us really knew what we were doing and for the most part from what I do remember, neither did we. But it was fun.
I really do like the idea of the Solidarity center though, with a library full of information and friendly people inside.
I think what seems to turn a lot of people off is that there's a bit of confusion because of the mix of the social activism and the music scene, not to mention the hangers-on and the 'oogle' contingent that beg for change on Mass st. to go drinking. This certainly doesn't apply to everyone, it's just hard to tell sometimes where the line is.
Posted 18 July 2008, 2:51 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous Shelby says...
Seriously, your blog sounds interesting.
I just don't understand the insinuation that "now that *I'M* here, Lawrence.com is important and legit."
Posted 18 July 2008, 2:52 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous smerdyakov says...
Welcome! This should be an interesting space to watch... I actually liked Barr's stuff, but I suspect for wholly different reasons. His Question Time videos were classic. (Too bad--seems they've since disappeared from the site) Granted, his comments tended towards forum troll.
Posted 18 July 2008, 3:04 p.m. Suggest removal
Dave Strano daveyjoe says...
It definitely wasn't my intention to say "hey, now that I'm here, Lawrence.com is finally worth reading". I'm glad to be here. Lawrence.com is an awesome resource and project, and it makes me happy to hopefully add something to this publication/website.
Maybe I should have just left it simple for clarity. The whole blog should have just said:
"I'm blogging here now. I like blogs. Do you like blogs? Thanks for reading".
On another note, you don't have to worry, Shelby, because there will be plenty more immature antics throughout my time here. : )
Posted 18 July 2008, 3:04 p.m. Suggest removal
Bill Hoyt El_Borak says...
Welcome aboard, Dave.
Posted 18 July 2008, 3:22 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous measles says...
Interesting. While I'm open to the idea of a new perspective being brought to the table at lawrence.com, I wonder if we could get a working definition of "anarchist". I mean, libertarian communism (which Goldman's ideas are linked to) is one thing, anarchism in its true sense is another. Just curious...
Posted 18 July 2008, 3:23 p.m. Suggest removal
Dave Strano daveyjoe says...
I guess we've decided what the topic of the next blog will be. Thanks measles...
And thanks Bill!
smerdyakov, I'm glad you enjoyed Jason's writings. I did too. We had our disagreements. Frankly, despite coming out of the punk rock community, I'm not a huge fan of biting sarcasm. I definitely use it at times, but I appreciate writing from a candid and genuine perspective.
I recently made amends with Mr. Barr as we both trudged through the mud while stangehanding at Wakarusa together. So don't think I was trying to rip on him too much.
Posted 18 July 2008, 3:37 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous DOTDOT says...
"Or more likely, I can at least start a lot of bickering and even more name calling within the forums and comment sections."
Using this measure will guarantee success!
Glad you are blogging, Dave. Exchanging opinions with people you wouldn't normally hang out with is why I keep coming back here.
For instance, just this initial post causes me to ponder my impressions of anarchism and anarchists:
1) Anarchism = Domestic Terrorism (Seattle)
2) Anarchism = Sloganeering
3) Anarchism = Sitting on couch smoking shitweed and bitching about "the man"
4) Anarchism = naivety regarding the nature of our species
Maybe you can help me out and fix some of these if they are, indeed, mistaken. The naked calendar was cool, though, if not a bit confusing in it's capitalist harmonics.
Posted 18 July 2008, 4:50 p.m. Suggest removal
Bill Hoyt El_Borak says...
You remember the naked calendar, huh? It was that post here* that ultimately resulted in me starting the Fire Swamp. So I have a soft spot in my cold, dark heart for Anarchist calendars.
* it was posted under Misty's old "Napalm in the Morning" blog.
Posted 18 July 2008, 6:59 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous alm77 says...
I thought the definition of anarchism is that it's can't be defined, cause then, well..... wait, did I define it? Then.... that means.....er, um, ......oh, my brain hurts! So, just hurry up with next blog already..... and yeah, I'll be looking forward to reading.
Posted 18 July 2008, 8:05 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous DOTDOT says...
Yeah, I remember the naked calendar.
I was going to add:
5) Anarchist = naked calendar
but the adolescence of my mindset is readily apparent on this board without being so explicit.
Posted 19 July 2008, 4:43 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous TheEleventhStephanie says...
I like the Eastside People's Market.
Posted 19 July 2008, 5:39 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous mtoplikar says...
Glad to see you up here Dave. I know you have plenty to write about and won't be hurting for material anytime soon. I'll be reading...
Posted 19 July 2008, 10:48 p.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous blahblahblah says...
Didn't they have a "birthday party" recently?
I guess they smashed the cake...
Posted 20 July 2008, 4:30 a.m. Suggest removal
Misty Nuckolls mitzibel says...
Yay! New bloggers keep popping up this summer!
Welcome aboard.
Posted 20 July 2008, 7:28 p.m. Suggest removal
Kelly Powell rednekbuddha says...
Anarchism is defined in this conotation as basically socialism without a central figurehead....which we all know is bullsh1t.....whenever ther is a vacuum in society that is dictated by evolution to look to a leader some jackass will fill that spot...whether it is running a country or talking socially rebellious sons and daughters of the middle class to get arrested for their political beliefs.....And in my trollish opinion, most "anarchist" are thrill seekers using a political ideal to justify their actions as civil disobedience....but hey, more power to you.....this is what the first amendmant is for......just do not get your panties in a wad when someone says in lawrence it is more cult of personality then actual politiks.
And the anarchist calendar was a visual aid in hypocrisacy.
Posted 22 July 2008, 1:10 a.m. Suggest removal
Anonymous JBARRRR says...
Look at this. All you have to do is mention my name once, and BAM 18 comments. I have to say, I was surprised when Tom King mentioned to me that he read my name in a Lawrence.com blog a couple days ago. Welcome to the fraternal order of lawrence.com. I also have to mention that I heart the cult of personality, I wouldn't be able to be a comment troll without it!!!!!! lololololol
Posted 24 July 2008, 5:07 p.m. Suggest removal
Kelly Powell rednekbuddha says...
Wow! 18....Get the sun god robes out...thats like 2 a day....worship lawrences new big brother!
I'll gladly be called a troll for you strano...As long as you are turning upper middle class kids into creepy crawlies, and taking the money they earn or give you so you can fly to "politikal meetings" on the dimes of your lackeys....well. you get my drift....troll powers activate!!!
Posted 29 July 2008, 1:12 a.m. Suggest removal
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