David Graeber - Syria, Anarchism and Visiting Rojava

In the last part of our interview, a special 20 minute discussion with anthropologist David Graeber about anarchism, Syria, building a new kind of democracy, the bureaucracy of activism and his visit to Rojava where the building of a new kind of society is underfoot.

[deantunkara]

A funny man with a beautiful mind. So glad you lived among us. Rest in Power.

[amalija]

What a pleasant surprise, to hear about anarcho-feminism at work. This made my day. I started laughing out loud with joy. Thank you! May you all be peaceful, happy and well.

[gking]

Human consciousness has been asleep for a long time as society evolves. Glad to see more and more people thinking about a better future like Professor Graeber!

[eemoogee]

Rest In Power, thank you for your courageous scholarship!

[ilfark]

found this video from albert's znet... best elevator speech i've heard explaining anarchism... should make a t-shirt that reads "anarchists love organization more than anyone"

[larllarfleton]

ocalans works are largely inspired by Murray Bookchin, so if you want even more of a background on Rojavas ideology read some of his works!

[colonelmustang]

My Kurdish friends marching on the capital of ISIS is amazing news no matter how many times i hear it

[antony]

This was fascinating, David speaks with so much wisdom. I am especially intrigued by how feminist theory is central to Rojava

[Grumpygrump]

Rest In Power and all solidarity with our comrades in Rojava/DANNES

[hakikatyolureyahaqiqati]

David Graeber.... ❤‍🩹❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎👋🙏💐🌸🏵🌹🥀🌺🌻🌼🌷☀🌝🌞🌈💯

[BrandonGates]

I always loved it when we were assigned Graeber to read for my university classes.

[AMairs-qleo]

You will be missed Rest In Power ✊🏽❤️🌹

[jolima]

Very cool (surprising and then not surprising) to hear what’s happening in that region! Not sure if this is a factor, but was wondering if there’s any research/ thoughts on how group dynamics and group psychology play into anarchist societies? Also is there a basic set of rules to prevent things going off the rails, e.g methods of discussions - or is the beauty that it’s actually not necessary (which would contradict my experience with small scale group decision processes)?

[milascave]

"I'm not for absolute consensus, I'm for modified consensus. There's always going to be one or two guys who are crazy." I wish the rest of Occupy had thought that way. ABosolute one hundred percent consensus dosn't work.

[factanonverba]

We found the closest thing to a fremen we could find.

[RonnyDoplo]

I had seen him years ago but never learned more about him. Turn's out I agree with him on most things :/ RIP

[Grymgar]

Rojava is the model for the future. Some of the things they have in place are what the soviets could have been, other things are more like direct democracy, and yet everyone is armed and doesn't fuck with each other, which anarchists and libertarians can agree on.

[billyoldman]

Of course people like to be dominated when they grew up being dominated, and the only way they ever get any pleasure out of life is through obedience and conforming to authority!

[nmbusmusic]

Whats the status with this place now in 2020? we MUST continue to demonstrate that human beings can be grown ups and behave properly. also alternative currencies and means of exchange is essential. their money, their rules.

[gabrielsilbert]

I think a system helpful for what he was talking about at the end with not requiring participation in direct democracy is called liquid democracy, I can’t explain it all in a comment but that’s the search term if anyone wants to look it up.