I used to consider my self an anarchist. Because if the choice was between dignity, welfare and on the other hand society, I would always chose the former. As I saw it I recognised pascal's mugging.
Increasingly it seems obvious to me that those that call them self anarchist, imagine a society where those that are dependent on the state simply does not exist.
As someone that lives with a debilitating disability that means I am unable to provide for myself, I can now see they are the leopards.
@ekg *Blinks confusedly in mutual aid.* I think you might be confusing social programs with state sponsorship.
@turtlewrites no, I am describing my lived experience.
Mutual aid has never factored into my life, unless you count my parents or state employees.
@ekg Why wouldn't I count that? Those state workers and your parents provide such aid. I think an anarchist would hope such things are provided to anyone, whether or not they are a citizen of the entity between borders.
@turtlewrites even then, my parents financial support has been only part of the total needed, and would also disregard my need for dignity.
State employees support has never been financial. They have made sure I have clean clothes, and edible food. They where of course paid as state employees when they helped me.
The state is why my rent has been paid on time.
@ekg That's an amazing final sentence. I can conclude that you were hanging out with libertarians or ancaps. Because you have to understand how absurd 'The state is why my rent has been paid on time.' sounds to an actual Anarchist, on multiple levels.
But simply base layer, without the state's threat of the violence of eviction, there would be no need to pay rent.
The state built the house I grew up in. "the state pay my rent" is an obvious gross over simplification, but I do like it when I get the chance to write obvious contradictions with deeper meaning.
@ekg I mean, people built your home. The state was just a motivation.
I know it's hard to understand, but if the state need to motivate people to give a shit about me. I am glad the state exist. No force ia perfect, but a well organised police force is preferable to the alternatives that we know.
https://www.londonmuseum.org.uk/collections/london-stories/metropolitan-police-from-1829-to-today
@turtlewrites there exists nothing to "unpack". It's my lived experience.
I wouldn't be allowed to live in the home I am currently living if it wasn't for state support. That might no longer be true, but my relationship with capital is complicated.
My life is currently financed by roughly equal part capital and state support.
@ekg ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ok. Enjoy your false dichotomies.
@turtlewrites I don't understand what you mean with "dichotomies".
I am describing my lived experience that have lead me to the conclusion that some that call them self anarchist; fails to understand that people like me are dependent on the state.
I am not saying that is right, or that is how it should be.
@ekg Why would you think it would be hard to understand?
Let's unpack the idea that you think people need to be forced to care about you.