anti capitalist musings

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Fractured by the Feed painting

Hyperreal Hijacking

Behind the convenient façade of connectivity, online life fractures shared meaning and hijacks lived experience into a hyperreal dataspace optimised for extraction, prediction, and control. Fragmented perspectives oscillate desperately between terminals struggling to capture scarce attention now more valuable than ever.

Statue of Karl Marx

Redeeming Marx’s “Jewish Question”?

Karl Marx’s controversial 1844 essay “On the Jewish Question” has sparked heated debate over whether it reflects antisemitism or offers insights into capitalism’s exploitative nature. This essay examines Marx’s inflammatory rhetoric and problematic stereotypes while also considering the enduring relevance of his critique of commodification and alienation.

Tory government continues its attack on civil rights

From silencing dissent to expanding state powers, the Conservative government is pursuing an increasingly authoritarian agenda that should deeply concern all who value human rights and democracy, argues Simon Pearson. Their inflammatory rhetoric and restrictions on protests, speech, and accountability mechanisms reflect a dangerous slide towards illiberalism.

Palestine solidarity march Central London. Image by Steve Eason.

Walking the Tightrope

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked heated debate globally, with some accusing critics of Israel’s actions of being antisemitic. This argues for nuance in understanding the crisis, differentiating between legitimate critiques of state policies and bigotry, and calling for ethical consistency in advocating for human rights on both sides.

Just Stop Oil protestors

The Unanticipated Opera: A Symphony of Dissent at Glyndebourne

On a seemingly ordinary Thursday, at the time-honoured Glyndebourne opera festival, an unexpected interlude of protest emerged. In the sanctuary of the arts, amid the melody of Francis Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites, a dissenting chorus brought the opera to a standstill. Sparked by the cause of Just Stop Oil, the interruption blended a traditional form of high culture with the pressing concerns of our era. This is the narrative of that day, a symphony of dissent resounding from the grand opera house to the streets of London.

A graphic from the Tories twitter campaign on "We Must Stop the Boats"

The Tories’ Creeping Fascism: Manipulating the Media and Demonising Migrants

This post explores the growing threat of creeping fascism in the UK political landscape, particularly within the Conservative Party. It examines recent actions by the government, including the exclusion of critical media outlets from the Home Secretary’s trip to Rwanda and the policy to deport asylum seekers, in light of the “creeping fascism” thesis. The post argues that the Tories’ use of jingoistic and anti-immigrant rhetoric is a deliberate tactic to distract from the real issues facing the UK and consolidate their power.

Blood Sport: The BBC vs the Tories

It’s a classic case of power versus principle, and the stakes have never been higher. In the end, it’s not just about football – it’s about the very soul of our democracy.

The Migrant and Refugee Policy Crisis Series

In these three articles, I explore the UK government’s relentless commitment to harsher measures against migrants and refugees, perpetuating harmful myths about them and reinforcing anti-immigrant sentiment.

Tory crackdown on migrants denounced by human rights groups and charities, amid warnings of creeping fascism and global police state

Charities working with refugees and human rights experts have denounced the UK’s illegal migration bill, as concerns mount about the rise of creeping fascism and a global police state. As warnings from the writings of Neil Faulkner, Phil Hearse, and William I. Robinson become more urgent than ever, it’s clear that doing nothing is not an option. It’s time to take action and stand up for the most vulnerable members of society.