Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 09:04:41 -0500
From: "Jon George" <Jgeorge-AT-gw.hamline.edu>
Subject: Re: Anarcho domain purity


>>> John Anderson <panic-AT-semiosix.com> 08/24/00 02:47AM >>>
"Maybe I'm misinterpreting what's being said here. Here's my summary (which 
may well be wrong):

In order to be a 'properly' anarchist, a site MUST

- explain its own economic organisation
- have an economic organisation that isn't for-profit
- not use banner ads
- not look like a commercial site

and if it doesn't meet any of these criteria, then it isn't properly 
anarchist, which is BAAAAD (as in four legs good, two legs bad). And ought 
to do things differently. That word "ought" never fails to get my hackles 
up. Maybe oneday I'll learn to let it go past.

I'm puzzled as to why so many folks insist on promulgating the idea that 
there is "one true way"."

I think it's impossible to be a "pure" anarchist because we live in an unanarchist society where we are daily confronted with choices (many forced) about where to "draw the line"; nor do I think there is only "one true way" to anarchism.

On the other hand, not *every* way can be considered *a* true way.  There must be some criteria that distinguishes anarchism from, for instance, thuggery, state communism, or libertarian capitalism.

If you have a .com that: 
1) looks like a commercial site
2) accepts banner ads from corporations
3) is for-profit
4) has a traditional hierarchical and capitalist economic organization

then these things suggest to me that the site is libertarian capitalist or perhaps hip capitalist with an interest in radical material rather than libertarian socialist (i.e., anarchist)

I personally don't know if the site fits the bill, or if it falls into a grey area, or if it's fine and just grates on the -AT--nerves because of its appearance.  My point isn't really about this particular site but merely to say that while the "holier than thou" attitude is harmful to anarchism, so, I think, is a "big tent" approach that lumps us in with hip capitalists, national liberation movements, state communists, and apolitical street fighters.

Imp '00