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Quick takeaways
- Paradoxical architecture challenges spatial physics and pushes boundaries of perception.
- Neo-anarchism influenced various movements and brought alternative thinking to the revolutionary left.
- Challenges faced by the new anarchist movement necessitate reevaluation and search for new strategies.
- Libertarian socialism can be revitalized through practical solutions and independent institutions.
- Solidarity unionism empowers workers through community building and direct action in the workplace.
- Libraries remain essential for book sales and piracy can benefit the anime industry.
Deep dives
The Assurian Stairwell: A Mind-Boggling Architectural Illusion
In this episode of a web series called 'Can You Imagine', the hosts explore the mind-boggling architecture of the Assurian Stairwell on the Rochester Institute of Technology campus. The stairwell, designed by architect Raphael Nelson Ovagondo, creates an optical illusion that seems to defy the laws of physics. As the host ascends to the top of the stairs and turns a corner, he suddenly appears at the bottom of the lower flight of stairs, creating a disorienting and impossible loop. The episode interviews students and showcases various demonstrations of the stairwell's mind-bending effect. Despite being a visual illusion created through filming and special effects, the episode gained popularity and sparked interest in the real-world architectural possibilities of paradox and illusion.
The Popularity and Questions Surrounding the Assurian Stairwell
After the episode of 'Can You Imagine' featuring the Assurian Stairwell was released, the architecture and illusion gained widespread attention. People from different countries started visiting the campus to experience the disorienting effect themselves and shared their experiences on social media. The popularity sparked debates and discussions about the architecture and the work of architect Raphael Nelson Ovagondo. While the exact techniques used to create the illusion remain debated, the Assurian Stairwell continues to captivate and spark curiosity.
The Significance of Paradoxical Design and Possibilities
The Assurian Stairwell exemplifies the power of clever and paradoxical architectural design. It challenges our assumptions about spatial physics and pushes the boundaries of what we perceive as possible. The success of the Assurian Stairwell shows that ideas once thought impossible or mere optical illusions can be realized through dedicated effort. This paradoxical architecture presents possibilities beyond our usual spatial understanding, inviting us to think outside the box and question what else is possible in the realms of design and perception.
Rise of Anarchism and the New Libertarian Socialism
The 1990s saw a rise of anarchist movements and practices, inspired by events like the Zapatista rebellion. This wave of neo-anarchism led to the adoption of similar methods in various local contexts, fighting against neoliberal trade, sweatshops, and globalization. The anti-globalization movement brought together movements that used direct actions and direct democratic consensus methods. Anarchist methods and attitudes began filtering into other movements, influencing their activism. This rise of anarchism brought a sense of possibility and alternative thinking to the revolutionary left.
Decay and Challenges of New Anarchism
After the peak of the occupy and revolutionary wave in the early 2010s, the new anarchist movement began to decline. The collapse of the party-state left and the disillusionment with social democracy left a void that anarchism filled. However, the lack of concrete strategies, the absence of clear alternatives to capitalist structures, and the disunity within anarchism posed challenges. The movement also faced criticism for its inability to effectively address complex social and political issues and its failure to present viable solutions. These challenges forced anarchists to reevaluate their approach and search for new ways to build independent institutions and implement direct democratic practices.
Future Directions for Libertarian Socialism
Despite the challenges and decay of the new anarchist movement, there is hope for the future of libertarian socialism. It requires a focus on finding practical answers to complex questions and developing viable alternatives to capitalist systems. Exploring dual power and building independent institutions under the direct democratic control of the working class is crucial. Additionally, promoting radical democracy, fostering critical thinking, and establishing spaces for intellectual discourse and exploration, like Strange Matters magazine, can contribute to the revitalization of libertarian socialism.
Building Solidarity and Community in the Workplace
Solidarity unionism focuses on building community and culture in the workplace, fostering unity and respect among workers. This approach aims to empower workers and recognizes that they have the knowledge and ability to run their own workplaces. It emphasizes direct action within the workplace, rather than relying on legal recognition or contracts negotiated by traditional unions. In solidarity unionism, workers come together around issues they care about, organize potluck lunches, hold meetings, and defend each other against mistreatment and disrespect from managers. The goal is to create a united front among workers and fight for fairness and respect in the workplace.
Challenges of High Turnover and Isolation
One of the challenges in solidarity unionism is dealing with high turnover rates and the isolation that many workers face in their job. High turnover makes it more difficult to build relationships and organization among workers. To combat this, solidarity unionism encourages regular communication and interaction among co-workers through activities like weekly potluck lunches and meetings. By addressing issues together, supporting and defending each other, workers can break the cycle of isolation and build a sense of community within the workplace.
Resistance against Psychological Degradation
Solidarity unionism recognizes the psychological degradation that workers often face in the workplace and emphasizes the importance of resistance. Building a culture of resistance involves confronting and addressing disrespectful behavior from managers, refusing to tolerate overwork and unfair treatment, and taking necessary action to demand fairness and respect. By organizing around these cultural aspects, solidarity unionism aims to protect workers' well-being and challenge the tyrannical power dynamics between bosses and workers.
Libraries boost book sales and support the publishing industry
Despite the availability of e-books and online media, libraries continue to be an essential source of information and discoverability for readers. Studies have shown that library users often purchase books by authors they were introduced to through the library system. In fact, library visits and borrowing of physical and digital books have not hindered the overall sales of books. On the contrary, the presence of libraries in communities has helped foster a reading culture and contributed to the growth of the book market, including e-books.
Libraries and piracy: Examples dispel fears of negative impact
The success of the anime industry, which heavily relies on piracy for international exposure and popularity, demonstrates that free access to media can actually benefit its creators. Anime sales revenue primarily comes from areas outside Japan, which shows that piracy has contributed to expanding the audience and increasing sales. Similarly, many library users also purchase books they have discovered through the library system, debunking the misconception that libraries decrease book sales. Instead, libraries serve as valuable gateways to new authors, genres, and titles, which lead to increased book purchases.
The Growth of Audiobooks Despite Decreased Commuting
Despite a decrease in commuting due to the pandemic, audiobook revenue saw a 17% increase in 2020, marking eight consecutive years of double-digit growth in the sector. This growth aligns with other digital library statistics, indicating a continued interest in both physical and digital content. A study by Overdrive found that readers using multiple digital library apps were 61% more likely to increase their book consumption compared to non-users. The accessibility and convenience of audiobooks and digital libraries have contributed to their popularity.
Challenges Faced by Journalism and Paid Media
The decline of newspapers and media outlets is not primarily due to a lack of payment from readers, but rather the detrimental impact of hedge funds, venture capitalists, and tech companies. These entities prioritize profit over the integrity and sustainability of journalism. Attempts to shift towards subscription-based models often overlook the importance of freely accessible information, especially when it serves the public interest. While some argue that paying for news is similar to paying for other commodities, the ability to access important journalism should remain free to ensure an informed society.
68.
I've Seen It O Wer Witter, but I Don't Know How Much It Expands Into Walsatl Space.
2min
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.
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