Accidental Anarchist: Carne Ross (BBC Storyville)

Submitted by jondwhite on August 7, 2017

Craftwork

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Craftwork on August 7, 2017

I didn't watch this, but I saw a Newsnight feature involving him.

The problem I saw was that he has an anarcho-liberal/leftist conception of "anarchism" (e.g. co-ops, gradualism, direct democracy, etc.)

Mark.

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mark. on August 8, 2017

It's also up on youtube, for now, for anyone who can't view it on iplayer:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=1focry81SQ8

Here's the Newsnight clip:

https://mobile.twitter.com/carneross/status/892454085663838208

spaceman spiff

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by spaceman spiff on August 8, 2017

I caught this on iplayer. It’s a pretty nice documentary. It’ll speak to liberals and generally anyone disaffected by modern politics. I think they made a mistake by not explaining to the audience what anarchism actually is. They kept saying that he’s an anarchist but it would’ve been helpful to describe its tenets to ppl who don’t know anything about it. His life story is interesting, and he came off as a sincere guy.

The second half of the documentary talks about Rojava and he actually goes there. I was particularly interested in that bit.

All in all, quite a light documentary. More of a human interest story than an educational or avant garde documentary.

satawal

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by satawal on August 12, 2017

This is I think the best English language documentary I have ever seen about anarchism. I don’t share quite a few of Ross’s key views, but both this doc and his book ‘The Leaderless Revolution’ (http://theleaderlessrevolution.com/) are excellently clear pieces of communication, which is no surprise given he is an ex-diplomat. Much contemporary anarchist writing is either purposefully shoddy (…many zines) or obtuse academic waffle. We and ‘The Beautiful Idea’ deserve better. And this is better.

altemark

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by altemark on August 13, 2017

Can anyone seed it on thepiratebay or similar?

PeterTCA

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by PeterTCA on August 13, 2017

A magnificent programme. So rare to see anything remotely positive on mainstream media.

People don't need detailed abstract definitions of Anarchism. It's always better in practice than theory. People whose interest was aroused can start trying to search a user-friendly information site.

Ross's book has little time for "the movement".

Khawaga

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on August 13, 2017

Altemark, see the YouTube link above

altemark

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by altemark on August 14, 2017

"BBC Storyville 2017 - Accid..." This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Hopscotch Films.

pi

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by pi on August 14, 2017

If you use linux and want to watch bbc try this: https://github.com/get-iplayer/get_iplayer

Cooked

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Cooked on August 14, 2017

I youtube-dl'd it so have it on my harddrive. Ute och ränner so can't share atm will see what I can do later.

Serge Forward

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on August 15, 2017

Just watched it on BBC I-player. Interesting programme and he seemed like a decent chap - though obviously I'd have quite a few differences. Also, he does have a bit of a rose tinted view of Rojava. Still, at least the beeb is showing something a little less mainstream and his nod to Orwell and Spain in 1936 was all right.

Khawaga

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on August 15, 2017

"BBC Storyville 2017 - Accid..." This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Hopscotch Films.

Damn, it worked when I clicked on it.

Spikymike

6 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on September 1, 2017

I noticed that the SPGB gave it a friendly and only lightly critical review here;
www.worldsocialism.org/spgb/socialist-standard/2010s/2017/no-1357-september-2017/proper-gander-un-anarchism
Craftwork and others have rightly nailed this guys liberal anarchism - obviously he's no anarchist-communist.
As and aside - This issue of the Socialist Standard also has a brief 'non-committal' review of Michael Roberts Book titled 'The Long Depression' but there is a more favourable one here:
www.leftcom.org/en/articles/2016-10-31/is-capitalism-past-its-sell-by-date-review-of-michael-roberts-the-long
with the whole subject also extensively discussed on a 'Questions and Answers' thread here on libcom.

Spikymike

6 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Spikymike on September 15, 2017

I see that Carne Ross is talking at this years London Anarchist bookfair following a related film. Whilst his personal transformation is interesting and worthy, his particular political take on anarchism is not mine and not recommended, so given the wide choice on offer I won't be going to that session.
Pity some of the London selection of meetings don't get a wider distribution across the regional bookfairs and other public events.

wojtek

6 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by wojtek on November 7, 2017

What did he say at the bookfair?

MH

6 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by MH on November 21, 2017

I don't know what he said at the Bookfair, but the room was rammed for both film & discussion, and as far as i've heard WW3 did not break out. It sounds like a great success...?

Mike Harman

6 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Mike Harman on November 21, 2017

It's Going Down just did a podcast with him, not listened to it: https://itsgoingdown.org/twilight-statecraft-carne-ross-war-climate-change-crisis/