Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 06:41:29 -0500 (EST)
From: Viraj Fernando <viraj-AT-interlog.com>
Subject: M-I: Some Considerations - Mental and Physical Labour



My apologies for posting the last msg over and over. I thought there was a
problem in the computer system. Coincidentally, I was having trouble with
Robert Malecki too on the computers.

It is very interesting to note that Mark Jones has identified the importance of
this topic for understanding of the marxist analysis of class struggle
Marxism. He rightly points out that this is the key issue.

Since this is of ultimate importance, I suggest to Mark to quote from all
authors mentioned. And for starters Marx from German Ideology including his
comment on what will happen if sociliasm were to be attempted in a backward
country. This will perhaps throw some light on "What happened in the Soviet
Union".

We must remember, it was Antonio Mota who set this all off. There will be so
many like him who thirst for clarifications and understanding of marxist
thought. All of us in the list have a responsibility towards the pedagogical
role the list has to play. We must remember that, although there are not
many contributions from comrades in the third world and also from
non-English speaking countries, thousands upon thousands of youngsters (for
it is the youngsters who are most likely to be familiar with computers) who
thirst for marxism must be ardently reading M-I. Correctly handled we have
the potential, and the possibility of weaving a world-wide web of marxists.
In the North American culture it may be fashionable to be abusive to one
another, as a reflection of imperialist arrogance. But such mannerisms will
be abhorrent to many cultures. It is suggested that we try to build up a
culture suited for the international audience. A culture of polite address.
By being abusive one does not become any more revolutionary.

Since this medium of communication is entirely new and it offers a vast
potential, it will be interesting for us to collectively discuss, what the
role M-I can play (informative, analytical, polemical, pedagogical), and how
we must fashion it to achieve the optimum results for our common cause.

Best regards/ Viraj
 





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