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Mantra: “We should focus our actions, time, and resources on Direct Action, Mutual Aid, and Community Outreach… No War but Class War!”

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Song: https://youtu.be/fabi8nyjsYc

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Joined 2 years ago
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Cake day: August 5th, 2023

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  • Bernie Sanders, the Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, and Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) are a failed experiment.

    We need an independent grassroots movement by and for the working class.

    Check out Workers Strike Back.

    For those interested:

    We need to build an organized, unified movement of working people to systematically take on the rich who run society, and to undermine their ability to rule. Our goal must be to both fight for radical change in the present and to bring down the billionaires and their system. There is no other path to avoid total disaster for human civilization and the planet.

    Working people need to be clear about who our enemies are. Our enemies are not other working-class or middle-class people, immigrants, the poor, Muslims, trans people, ordinary Republican or Democratic voters, nor independent voters or nonvoters. Our enemies are those who make millions or billions of dollars a year, own the politicians, own the land and resources, and who call the shots in this system. Our enemies are also those who justify and protect the interests of the rich.

    The billionaires themselves are fully responsible for the disasters engulfing us — Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, the healthcare CEOs, the major shareholders on Wall Street. It is not some collective “we” or “human nature” which is responsible; it’s the rich who put their profits ahead of everything and everyone. We need to end the billionaire class and their system once and for all.[1]


    1. [1] https://www.workersstrikeback.org/whatwestandfor ↩︎















  • “I was playing heroines, but in real life I wasn’t earning a living,” said Shibata, now 60. These days, she also works as a home organizer, helping people de-clutter. “Voice acting as a profession just doesn’t pay,” she said.

    Even in a country where a culture of overwork permeates a wide range of businesses, the anime industry is notorious for the grueling hours that workers put in. Animators in their early 20s earn less than 2 million yen ($12,948) a year, according to industry data, compared with over 3 million yen for a person of a similar age living in Tokyo. That’s less than half of what US entry-level animators earn, websites like Glassdoor show. Creative workers also complain of late and uncertain payments.

    Some, though, sense change is afoot. A working group for the United Nations Human Rights Council last year called out Japan’s anime industry for its poor treatment of workers, along with cases of sexual violence and harassment in the country’s entertainment business. In a May report, the group referred to “excessively long working hours” and low pay, as well as a disregard for creative workers’ intellectual property rights.

    Acknowledging such worries, lawmakers passed a new law that took effect in November to boost protections for freelance workers. Late last month, regulatory officials at Japan’s Fair Trade Commission launched a study on labor practices within the anime industry and invited workers to submit complaints.

    Once considered a geeky, so-called otaku obsession, anime is now considered mainstream. In 2020, when the pandemic brought Hollywood production to a halt, Demon Slayer: Mugen Train topped global box office sales at over $470 million. In Japan, around 400 anime titles are now produced for TV and theaters every year, attracting dedicated fans who go on to buy related merchandise. The genre’s popularity among global streaming audiences has also prompted a flurry of acquisitions. Sony, which bought anime streaming service Crunchyroll in 2021, became the largest shareholder of anime publisher Kadokawa Corp. in an alliance announced late last year. Movie producing and distributing company Toho Co. bought US-based anime distributor Gkids Inc. for an undisclosed amount to strengthen the Japanese firm’s US reach.

    That later evolved into the current system in which studios work within budgets set by powerful committees of publishers, toymakers and businesses which finance the series and share royalties. Production companies outsource work to small anime studios and voice actors’ agencies, which in turn hire even smaller companies and freelancers. This helps companies work on multiple series at once and mitigate any potential losses. As a result, revenue is spread thinly, and it can take months for compensation to filter through to illustrators and voice actors.

    Actors often wait six months or longer to get paid, according to Nobunari Neyoshi, who until last year ran a voice actor agency alongside his sound-production business for a decade. “Violations of subcontracting laws are rampant,” said 47-year-old Neyoshi, adding that sometimes actors don’t get paid at all. He closed his voice-acting business due to poor sales.

    Workers are also often employed over the phone or via messaging apps without formal contracts, leaving it unclear how much, or even whether, they’ll get paid. “It’s common across the industry to be asked to start working on something even before any paperwork is done,” said Aina Sugisawa, a 24-year-old trainee at Tokyo-based studio TMS Entertainment Co., part of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc. and known for hit series like Detective Conan.

    Unlike in Hollywood where a strike by screenwriters and performers brought movie and TV production to a halt in 2023, the majority of Japanese voice actors and illustrators don’t belong to labor unions. Numako, the former union official, says he’s always struggled to convince colleagues to join him.

    The new law on freelancers forces companies to provide written contracts, including details on pay, to all workers. Businesses are now prohibited from demanding extra work without promising additional pay and are also required to pay workers within 60 days. The government is stepping up surveillance, and regulators are also inviting workers to blow the whistle on law-breaking activity.

    One underlying problem, industry insiders say, has been the sheer number of people willing to endure poor conditions just to be involved in an art form they’ve loved since childhood. Breaking into the industry is still highly competitive; manga and anime illustrators regularly rank among the top dream professions of school children. Some blame themselves for their lack of financial success: there’s always a more senior job to aspire to. Key frame animators are responsible for drawing crucial images at the start and end of major scenes and earn more than those drawing sequences in between. With skills and experience, they can also move on to better-paid jobs including directors. But such senior roles are few. The field of voice acting can be even more competitive.

    Shrinking demographics and technological innovation including AI are also seen bringing change — as well as an existential challenge. Japan Research Institute expects a labor shortage among anime illustrators, estimating their number to decline to roughly 5,600 by 2030 from around 6,200 in 2019. Production studios have already been turning to overseas labor, with Toei Animation sending 70% of its animation work to a branch in the Philippines, even though crucial processes remain in Japan. Many fear that AI will replace jobs, particularly at the entry level, turning away younger artists.

    Real change, though, will require workers to act rather than expecting laws to protect them automatically, said Yasunari Yamada, a lawyer with expertise in freelance work. “Freelancers need to recognize that they’re business operators, and take action if they think something’s wrong,” he said.

    Some are starting to speak up. Shibata, the voice actor, recently learned that a video game using her voice was reissued a few years ago without paying her royalties. After decades of work under her belt, including key roles in popular series like Saint Seiya, a story about mystical warriors, she complained, prompting the publisher to agree to a payment.

    “People have just been clinging to whatever job they get, because if you say something negative you’re put out to pasture,” she said. “Everyone’s been putting up with it.”



  • Generated Summary Below:

    Elon Musk and Nazi Sympathies

    • Discussion begins with the provocative claim that Elon Musk is a Nazi sympathizer, indicating a need to clarify the definition of a Nazi sympathizer and the implications of such a label.
    • The context of Musk’s statements and actions on social media platforms, particularly X, is examined, highlighting the controversial nature of his communications and the audience they attract.
    • Musk’s rhetoric is scrutinized, suggesting that his comments may align with far-right ideologies, particularly in the context of societal issues like immigration and race.
    • The conversation transitions to the broader implications of labeling individuals as Nazi sympathizers, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of historical and contemporary political ideologies.

    The Collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge

    • A tragic incident involving the complete collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore is reported, attributed to a ship collision.
    • The aftermath of the collapse sees various political factions, particularly conservative groups, making unfounded claims regarding the incident being a consequence of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.
    • Criticism is directed at the narratives emerging from these groups, suggesting that they exploit tragedies to push their agendas, particularly against hiring practices that include marginalized communities.

    Understanding Nazi Ideology

    • The discussion delves into the ideological underpinnings of Nazism, questioning whether it is categorized as right-wing or left-wing, and referencing historical perspectives on this dichotomy.
    • Elon Musk’s interpretation of Nazism as both far-right in nationalism and far-left in socialism is critiqued, with the argument that such categorizations are overly simplistic and misleading.
    • The narrative includes insights from political theorists and historians, emphasizing that the complexities of Nazi ideology cannot be reduced to mere political labels.
    • The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding the historical context and the evolution of political ideologies to avoid mischaracterizations.

    Jordan Peterson’s Claims on Nazism

    • Jordan Peterson’s assertion that the classification of Nazi policies as right or left-wing remains ambiguous is discussed, with critiques of his lack of substantial evidence to support this claim.
    • The importance of academic research in understanding historical political movements is emphasized, highlighting that many scholars have already established clear distinctions regarding Nazi ideology.
    • The conversation also critiques Peterson’s suggestion of using modern analytical tools to reassess historical ideologies, arguing that this approach lacks historical rigor.

    Misinterpretations of Socialism

    • The video discusses the misuse of the term socialism in the context of Nazism, arguing that the Nazi regime’s policies do not align with socialist principles as understood in contemporary political discourse.
    • Historical references are made to the Nazi Party’s actions against socialists and labor movements, illustrating their hostility towards leftist ideologies.
    • The narrative critiques the arguments made by right-wing commentators who inaccurately label Nazism as a form of socialism, calling attention to the historical realities of Nazi governance and its effects on workers’ rights.

    Elon Musk’s Controversies and Responses

    • Musk’s controversial statements on social media, particularly regarding race and immigration, are highlighted, showcasing how they resonate with extremist narratives.
    • His responses to criticisms, including apologizing for specific posts while simultaneously amplifying problematic content, are examined as indicative of a broader pattern of behavior.
    • The discussion also includes Musk’s attempts to distance himself from accusations of anti-Semitism while failing to adequately address the implications of his rhetoric.

    Racism and Workplace Issues at Tesla

    • The video addresses allegations of rampant racism within Tesla’s workforce, detailing multiple lawsuits and claims made by employees regarding a hostile work environment.
    • Specific cases are highlighted, including instances of racial slurs and the company’s inadequate responses to complaints, suggesting a systemic issue within the corporate culture.
    • The narrative critiques Musk’s leadership style, positing that his approach to management reflects a broader disregard for workers’ rights and safety.

    The Impact of Social Media and Free Speech

    • The discussion emphasizes the role of social media in shaping public discourse, particularly how platforms like X facilitate the spread of extremist ideologies.
    • Musk’s self-proclaimed stance as a free speech advocate is contrasted with the reality of how content moderation and platform policies are applied inconsistently.
    • The implications of Musk’s ownership of X are debated, particularly regarding the responsibility that comes with such influence over public narratives and discourse.

    Concluding Thoughts on Elon Musk’s Ideologies

    • The video concludes with reflections on the broader societal implications of Musk’s rhetoric and behavior, particularly in relation to rising fascist sentiments and the normalization of extremist views.
    • It calls for a critical examination of the narratives being promoted by influential figures like Musk, urging viewers to consider the potential consequences of unchecked ideologies in contemporary society.
    • The overarching message encourages vigilance against the normalization of hate speech and the importance of understanding historical contexts to combat misinformation.











  • Nicely done, AI-generated response!

    Which did you use?

    I also think it is a tool being used to help push out whatever content the person using it wants.

    It may be seen in the history books as akin to the Industrial Revolution.

    The Industrial Revolution, sometimes divided into the First Industrial Revolution and Second Industrial Revolution, was a period of global transition of the human economy towards more widespread, efficient and stable manufacturing processes that succeeded the Agricultural Revolution. Beginning in Great Britain, the Industrial Revolution spread to continental Europe and the United States, from around 1760 to about 1820–1840. This transition included going from hand production methods to machines; new chemical manufacturing and iron production processes; the increasing use of water power and steam power; the development of machine tools; and the rise of the mechanised factory system. Output greatly increased, and the result was an unprecedented rise in population and the rate of population growth. The textile industry was the first to use modern production methods, and textiles became the dominant industry in terms of employment, value of output, and capital invested.












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