I started a libertarian-communist YouTube channel. Here's my first video! (EDIT: More videos being posted as they come)

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 20, 2019

Edited for Update:

Originally this thread was to share my first video, but rather than start new threads to share future videos, I will stick to this one so I don't take up too much forum space.
You can find all my videos here https://www.youtube.com/c/LuckyBlackCat

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Comrades! I hope you will check out my first ever video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCW7EzlIZk0

Politically it’s appealing to those of us here on libcom, but even putting that aside, it’s something you can watch for entertainment. (My friends told me it made them laugh several times.)

I use Game of Thrones as an analogy, but even if you’ve never watched an episode, that’s fine, it will still make perfect sense to you.

The video is designed to appeal to a mass audience, so I use language with mass appeal, focusing on widely held values like equality. From a politically pure perspective, this sacrifices accuracy and precision, but in future videos I plan to approach the topic of communism with more rigor.

This is the type of video you can share with your liberal or non-political friends, because it’s fun, down to Earth, and won’t make anyone feel preached at.

Enjoy! :D

[youtube]FCW7EzlIZk0[/youtube]

pi

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by pi on June 3, 2019

I've never seen game of thrones but it's a hot topic in the work canteen. I'll definitely pass on your video link.

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 3, 2019

Oh, hellz yeah! That's awesome, Pi. My heart swells with appreciation. :D

R Totale

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by R Totale on June 3, 2019

Good luck with it!

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 3, 2019

Thank you, R Totale! I will certainly need it!

Reddebrek

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on June 3, 2019

I really enjoyed watching it LBC, I've past it on to some friends to see what they think.

An Affirming Flame

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by An Affirming Flame on June 4, 2019

I wish I could watch it, but holy crap with the GoT spoilers! My wife and I haven't been able to watch the latest season yet and I had to close YouTube in a panic. Video seems fun though, so I'll be sure to watch it once I've watched the show.

And maybe throw a spoiler tag on there for unwitting viewers!

Noah Fence

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on June 4, 2019

Over 1000 views and 100 subs in less than 48 hours! Thanks to anyone that has liked/subbed/shared. 10,000 views within 10 days of release is what I’m hoping for. Well, I guess I should try being optimistic for once.

Khawaga

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on June 4, 2019

I wish I could watch it, but holy crap with the GoT spoilers! My wife and I haven't been able to watch the latest season yet and I had to close YouTube in a panic. Video seems fun though, so I'll be sure to watch it once I've watched the show.

And maybe throw a spoiler tag on there for unwitting viewers!

It's the reason I panicked close the video immediately as well...

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 4, 2019

Reddebrek

I really enjoyed watching it LBC, I've past it on to some friends to see what they think.

That's awesome! I really appreciate that so much. :D Let me know what they think, even if it's negative!

An Affirming Flame

I wish I could watch it, but holy crap with the GoT spoilers! My wife and I haven't been able to watch the latest season yet and I had to close YouTube in a panic. Video seems fun though, so I'll be sure to watch it once I've watched the show.

And maybe throw a spoiler tag on there for unwitting viewers!

Khawaga

I wish I could watch it, but holy crap with the GoT spoilers! My wife and I haven't been able to watch the latest season yet and I had to close YouTube in a panic. Video seems fun though, so I'll be sure to watch it once I've watched the show.

And maybe throw a spoiler tag on there for unwitting viewers!

It's the reason I panicked close the video immediately as well...

OMG, I'm TRULY sorry!!! I hope you both managed to close it before getting spoilers??!

Noah Fence

Over 1000 views and 100 subs in less than 48 hours! Thanks to anyone that has liked/subbed/shared. 10,000 views within 10 days of release is what I’m hoping for. Well, I guess I should try being optimistic for once.

Aw shucks! Thanks for your enthusiastic support.

Khawaga

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Khawaga on June 4, 2019

OMG, I'm TRULY sorry!!! I hope you both managed to close it before getting spoilers??!

No worries, something was spoiled for me but minor compared to what else has been spoiled for me on the GoT-spoiler minefield that is the internet for me these days. My fault for still haven't watched anything but the first episode.

bastarx

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by bastarx on June 5, 2019

Nice video LBC.

Here's a non-specific spoiler for those who haven't finished GoT yet, it's fucking awful and once you've watched it you'll wished you'd listened to me when I said don't bother. Pretend the show was cancelled after season 4 and hope GRRM lives long enough to finish the books.

Noah Fence

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on June 5, 2019

I don’t do Twitter but could someone plug the LBC channel on there please?

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 5, 2019

Khawaga

OMG, I'm TRULY sorry!!! I hope you both managed to close it before getting spoilers??!

No worries, something was spoiled for me but minor compared to what else has been spoiled for me on the GoT-spoiler minefield that is the internet for me these days. My fault for still haven't watched anything but the first episode.

Well, glad it wasn't so bad. I had spoilers for most seasons and it really upset me! Lol, it's like you can't even go on the internet without getting a GOT spoiler.

bastarx

Nice video LBC.

Here's a non-specific spoiler for those who haven't finished GoT yet, it's fucking awful and once you've watched it you'll wished you'd listened to me when I said don't bother. Pretend the show was cancelled after season 4 and hope GRRM lives long enough to finish the books.

Thank you, Bastarx! The quality of the show did, IMO, decline in later seasons. It went from being tied for my favorite show to being a show that I still like but not nearly as much. It still had really great moments, but also moments so bad that you really had to wonder what the writers were smoking, or if they were just trolling. And on the whole I started to feel less connected to the characters, though I'm not sure how much of that is due to writing and how much is due to just having SO many characters that there's not enough time to really forge that connection or show their complexity and development. Oh well.

jef costello

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on June 5, 2019

I thought it was good, but the Game of Thrones thing didn't really grab me. The idea was good, maybe be a little more direct, it felt like it took a while to get going, I probably would have switched over if I hadn't wanted to be helpful, but I don't really feel like I'm offering any useful feedback.

Good luck with the channel, let us know when there are more videos.

freemind

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on June 6, 2019

I liked this lol-it was different and humorous and didn’t overload with facts and verbiage.Its facts were telling and the comrade was excellent!

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 21, 2019

Been a while since I've stopped by libcom so I'm only seeing these replies now.

Jef Costello, I know what you mean about taking a little while to get going. I had to explain the GOT stuff so that the "breaking the wheel" analogy would make sense to people not familiar with GOT. Of course the downside of that is that the beginning drags a bit. It's good feedback for me to keep in mind in the future.

Freemind, I'm really glad you liked it! Thanks, comrade.

freemind

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on June 22, 2019

Lucky Black Cat
Videos like yours are a good and effective medium for our ideas so persevere with it.
People who don’t read books tend towards and are more receptive to visual projects IMO.Anarchist/Libertarian Communist propaganda eg Leaflets are vague and tend to alienate ordinary people so introductions are crucial and the main points stressed have to leave the viewer/reader with a thought or inquisitive or even empowered.That came across in your video

Serge Forward

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on June 22, 2019

I just got round to watching this. It's really good. Okay I didn't get all the Game of Thrones stuff as I've never seen it, but lots of people will and it's all pretty self-explanatory. I really liked how each concept builds up step by step. Engagingly presented too. Well done.

Noah Fence

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Noah Fence on June 22, 2019

Serge Forward

I just got round to watching this. It's really good. Okay I didn't get all the Game of Thrones stuff as I've never seen it, but lots of people will and it's all pretty self-explanatory. I really liked how each concept builds up step by step. Engagingly presented too. Well done.

It’s funny you should say this today - I was chatting with LBC earlier discussing the video and we agreed that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea. I’m not sure why but I felt that you probably wouldn’t like it and said as much. LBC said that she thought you would like it as you have a good sense of humour(a point I conceded).
Then a couple of hours later I log on and see your post!
Anyways, I was wrong so bollocks to me and I’m glad that you do like it!

Serge Forward

4 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Serge Forward on June 22, 2019

Well it's not exactly my style of humour but that's no mither as I realise it will appeal to plenty of others new to these ideas. That's what's important I reckon. Anyway, quite a bit I did find funny.

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 27, 2019

Hey, Serge! Glad to get your vote of confidence. I'd say about half the humor was inside jokes for GOT fans, so I'm glad you still managed to find some of it funny, even if not your style overall. As Noah Fence mentioned, I'm an admirer of your sense of humor. In many old threads you've given me a laugh, as have a number of other libcom posters. (Even though the forums are kinda quiet these days, libcom was once a place where one could come to have a good laugh!)

Freemind -- I know what you mean. I've done quite a lot of reading over the years, but I'm not someone who naturally takes to books. I read them because I care about the info they hold, but I find the experience quite distasteful, LOL. When I first started getting into politics, I often felt confused by the jargon, and as you say, alienated. Experiences like that can easily push people away. I think youtube videos are a great medium to get these ideas across in a way that someone who's not a Seasoned Veteran Of The Left will find accessible and engaging.

Motkvin -- Yes, that tends to push people away. I know from experience (being on both sides, the preached at and the preacher).

An Affirming Flame

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by An Affirming Flame on June 27, 2019

So I finished watching the last season of GoT last night and then immediately watched your video afterwards, haha.

I thought it was great! Using Sam's comments as a hook to have the viewer imagine a world we would laugh at in turn was a very clever idea. Nice use of editing to keep the presentation moving. A lot of "person talking to a camera" videos become snore-fests because the creator doesn't edit out all their pauses and rambling. You kept it pretty tight for a somewhat long video.

Keep making more please!

(Also, I thought the final season was fantastic. Really don't see what a lot of people are griping about.)

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 2, 2019

Hello, Affirming Flame. I just realized I like your username, btw. An Affirming Flame! It feels like the spirit of inspiration and inner strength.

I'm happy you like the video. Making videos is a lot of work and a big pain in the ass (I say this as I'm in the middle of the ass-pain of making a second video), so knowing that the results have been positive is comforting.

As for season 8, I have mixed feelings about it. There were parts of it I thought were fantastic, and other parts I thought were badly done. I also feel the same way about the later seasons in general. I wish D&D would have kept it going another couple seasons so that the storytelling and character development could have been given the time needed to do it justice. I'm glad you thought it was fantastic, though, and wish I could have the pleasure of feeling so unambiguously the same.

jef costello

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on July 2, 2019

Glad to hear you're working on the next one, good luck!

An Affirming Flame

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by An Affirming Flame on July 2, 2019

Hi Lucky Black Cat, glad you like the username. I draw the same feelings from it. It's from the last line of a favorite poem of mine, "September 1st, 1939" by WH Auden, composed at the outbreak of World War II. (Can be found here)

May I, composed like them
Of Eros and of dust,
Beleaguered by the same
Negation and despair,
Show an affirming flame.

Anyway, I can tell a lot of work went into it the video. Happy to hear you're still willing to make more content!

And yeah, I can definitely see what you mean about season 8. I went into it already expecting everything to be wrapped up very quickly and concisely and just kind of accepted that. So I was satisfied and entertained given that reality. But yeah, I think it definitely could have been better if they had another season or two...or if they hadn't faffed about so much in earlier seasons and gotten to the main confrontations quicker, haha. Say, first battle with the Night King at end of season 6 and still ending the show with a six episode season 8.

WeirdoQuierdo907

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by WeirdoQuierdo907 on July 3, 2019

Subscribed

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 5, 2019

Jef Costello - Thanks, comrade! I will certainly need the luck, lol.

An Affirming Flame - Wow, that poem! Makes me appreciate your username even more.

WeirdoQuierdo907 - Yay!

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 20, 2019

Hey everyone, after many trials and tribulations, I finally finished the latest video. A response to the debate on socialism between YouTuber Destiny and author/professor Ben Burgis. Topics covered:

1. Are capitalists immoral?
2. Can socialism overcome incentives to destroy the environment?
3. Will widespread ignorance continue in socialism?
4. Can socialism provide a strong, thriving economy?
Also: Marx gets a makeover! (In the literal, not revisionist sense!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyepf912aIg

Have a good day, everyone. I hope you're all well.

[youtube]lyepf912aIg[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 20, 2019

I should mention: I call myself socialist in this video, while in the last one I call myself a libertarian-communist. Let me explain why.

1. Ben, who was defending the socialist position in their debate, said socialism would have a private sector of competing workers co-ops. I don't think this qualifies as socialism, and so I wanted to correct what I view as a mischaracterization of socialism. This is more effective if I do so as a socialist.

2. I’d argue that communism falls under the wider umbrella of socialism (an economic system with socially owned means of production).

3. I try not to get hung up on labels, and am comfortable calling myself a libertarian-communist, libertarian-socialist, anarchist, communist, socialist, and perhaps other terms, too! (I’m thinking of sticking with the term libertarian-socialist since many people have very negative misunderstandings of communism, and I don’t want to scare people off before they hear what I have to say.)

jef costello

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by jef costello on July 20, 2019

tl;dr I liked the video :) I thought it was a clear explanation of quite a few things and you also explained things, then refuted them.

Libcom deleted my longer post, but that was pretty much just me concluding that my opinion didn't matter as I am not the target audience, so it might have been some kind of quality filter :)

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 22, 2019

Thanks, Jef! Well your opinion *does* matter, but you're right, the goal is to get beyond preaching to the choir. Lol @ "quality filter"

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on December 26, 2019

After a long period of hard work and sleep deprivation, may I present my latest video!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnKUVY4sQ0g

Title: Where's the Proof of Racism?
(Answer: In this video!)

Twelve exhibits of evidence making the case that there exists a widespread pattern of racism that amounts to racial oppression.

The video is for:

1. People who think racism is no longer a problem: It makes a convincing case that it is, rooted in research studies and data.

2. People who know racism is a problem and want to fight it: It arms you with a ton of hard evidence to prove this to others, and will help make you a more effective anti-racist advocate.

We need a diversity of tactics to fight racism, and part of that is fighting ignorance by spreading information and understanding. If you think this video will help with that, I hope you will share it with others.

Feel free to drop a comment, too, with your feedback. Constructive criticism is welcome!

I hope everyone has enjoyed / is enjoying their holidays. Best Wishes for 2020!

[youtube]OnKUVY4sQ0g[/youtube]

Reddebrek

4 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on December 27, 2019

That was fun and informative, thank you.

Do you make your own props?

Lucky Black Cat

4 years 2 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on December 28, 2019

Not really. For the "In Case of White Guilt Break Glass" box, I bought an "In Case of Emergency Break Glass Box", then printed the words "WHITE GUILT" in white letters on a red background, cut it out and taped it on. So, I did like 1% of the labor, lol. Still felt proud of it, though! :)

Lucky Black Cat

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on February 20, 2020

Here’s my latest video! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQujPLjtUdU

Title: The Seductive Power of the Right-wing Fantasy: Can We Break the Spell?

Questions I aim to answer include:

What attracts people to the rightwing worldview? What makes them oppose policies that help those in need? Are they all just cold-hearted? Or is something deeper going on? Can leftists use insight into rightwing psychology to draw more people towards the left?

And of course, the burning question on everyone’s mind: IS RIGHTWING PHILOSOPHY LIKE COCAINE?

As usual I try to mix theory and info with entertainment. I hope you enjoy it.
[youtube]CQujPLjtUdU[/youtube]

(Since my channel is still new and small, for now I’m focusing on making videos on various leftist and social justice themes while I build up an audience and develop my video making skills. Once the channel has a larger audience I will begin a series of videos on capitalism, followed by series on libertarian-communism, revolution, etc.)

Reddebrek

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on February 24, 2020

That was interesting, at times it sounded like you were describing Tolstoy's moral philosophy, only he did acknowledge social factors were a major cause of problems and that the only way for individuals to take responsibility and truly change was to dismantle the systems that perpetuate them.

Perhaps his work might be useful as a sort of reverse gateway?

Lucky Black Cat

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on February 27, 2020

Interesting suggestion, Reddebrek! Until now I had never heard about Tolstoy's thoughts on this subject. Is there a particular essay where he discusses this, so I can check it out?
Perhaps it would make a good reverse gateway... an exit gateway... a gateway to libertarian-communism? :)

Reddebrek

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Reddebrek on February 27, 2020

Well he talked about in every book he wrote really, even his famous novels have them as themes somewhere so you can just dive in at random. But his more Anarchistic essays are

The State

I cannot be silent

Patriotism

Patriotism and government

http://libcom.org/tags/leo-tolstoy

But even if we assume that with the absence of governments there would be disturbances and civil strife, even then the position of the people would be better than it is at present. The position now is such that it is difficult to imagine anything worse. The people are ruined, and their ruin is becoming more and more complete. The men are all converted into war-slaves, and have from day to day to expect orders to go to kill and to be killed. What more? Are the ruined peoples to die of hunger? That is already beginning in Russia, in Italy, and in India. Or are the women as well as the men to go to be soldiers? In the Transvaal even that has begun.
So that even if the absence of government really meant Anarchy, in the negative, disorderly sense of that word,—which it is far from meaning,—even in that case, no anarchical disorder could be worse than the position to which governments have already led their peoples, and to which they are leading them.
And therefore emancipation from patriotism, and the destruction of the despotism of government that rests upon it, cannot but be beneficial to mankind.

and the Kingdom of god is within you, is his most famous work where he really gets into his philosophy but I haven't got around to reading it.

Lucky Black Cat

4 years ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on February 27, 2020

Long ago I read one of his essays (forget what it's called) where he talks about the immorality of government and, iirc, of capitalism, too. He writes with beauty and power. I remember finding his words both insightful and moving.

But I don't remember him addressing the topic of responsibility. Oh wait, now I'm remembering he does talk about the responsibility to resist injustice through civil disobedience.

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 4, 2020

New video dropped today! https://youtu.be/6k3DkEY0YHU

Title: Blaming the Poor: Poverty as Punishment

Margaret Thatcher called poverty a “personality defect”. Ben Shapiro says people are poor because “they suck with money.” A research-backed response to all those who blame poverty on the poor. In a world with enough for all, poverty is never justified.

[youtube]6k3DkEY0YHU[/youtube]

This video is 16 minutes and is divided into five parts.

Part 1: Discusses the “culture of poverty” (or the “subculture of poverty” as it was originally called by anthropologist Oscar Lewis), the theory that the poor have various dysfunctional traits which play a significant part in causing intergenerational cycles of poverty. But to what extent is “the culture of poverty” an effect of poverty rather than a cause?

Part 2: Looks at how common (or uncommon) the culture of poverty is among the poor.

Part 3: Tackles the question of whether the non-employed poor are lazy / lacking in work ethic.

Part 4: The media likes to popularize true stories of people who overcome incredible obstacles to escape poverty. But these stories are held up not simply as inspirational examples, but to promote the idea that with enough hard work and determination, anyone can escape poverty, and therefore those who don’t have only themselves to blame. Part 4 challenges this notion.

Part 5: When people make the case for why poor people don’t deserve to be poor, we often focus on trying to show that the poor are every bit as hard working and conventional in their values as the middle class – just as I’ve tried to do in this video. In Part 5, I talk about why this is the wrong focus for the argument.

(Since my channel is still new and small, for now I’m focusing on making videos on various leftist and social justice themes while I build up an audience and develop my video making skills. Once the channel has a larger audience I will begin a series of videos on capitalism, followed by series on libertarian-communism, revolution, etc.)

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 18, 2020

New video! :) https://youtu.be/6k3DkEY0YHU

Lies & Half-Truths on Escaping Poverty

For those who blame poverty on bad choices by the poor, one study is cited perhaps more than any other to “prove” their claim. This video debunks that study.

Run time: about 12 minutes.

[youtube]3GOZIsvLYpQ[/youtube]

The Brookings Institution says there are “three simple rules” poor people can follow to escape poverty and join the middle-class, a claim echoed by political commentators such as Ben Shapiro.

1. Graduate high school
2. Get a fulltime job
3. Don’t have kids unless you’re married (and at least 21)

“Our research shows that of American adults who followed these three simple rules, only about 2 percent are in poverty and nearly 75 percent have joined the middle class.”
~Brookings Institution

This claim of “three rules to escape poverty” has become a big talking point for people who want to sell you the idea that poverty is easy to overcome, so if you’re poor, it must be your own fault.

This is why it’s so important to debunk this research: it empowers an agenda to ignore the most powerful causes of poverty and ignore the most effective solutions.

If we get the diagnosis wrong, we will get the cure wrong, too. As this video shows, poverty cannot be solved by the poor making better choices. There are bigger forces causing poverty than the sum of individual choices, such as socioeconomic conditions and capitalism, itself.

The “three simple rules to escape poverty” claim is factually wrong, and this video will explain why.

Feel free to leave me a comment telling me your thoughts on this video. Constructive criticism is welcome! :)

(Since my channel is still new and small, for now I’m focusing on making videos on various leftist and social justice themes while I build up an audience and develop my video making skills. Once the channel has a larger audience I will begin a series of videos on capitalism, followed by series on libertarian-communism, revolution, etc.)

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 4, 2020

MARX IS TOO SEXY
https://youtube.com/watch?v=Pc-3EbSCm80

(Just a short bit of fun to brighten up your day.)

[youtube]Pc-3EbSCm80[/youtube]

wojtek

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by wojtek on June 4, 2020

Lockdown getting to you? Kk
Cool vid^^

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 6, 2020

Haha :D actually I made this video months ago but for some reason didn't get around to uploading it until now.

Sike

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Sike on June 7, 2020

Love it, LBC...especially liked the bit with Marx's head shopped onto an image of my bare torso.

;)

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 9, 2020

Lol. I'm so very glad you didn't mind me using a photo of your body. Probably should have asked, first.

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 20, 2020

New video: Power to End Capitalism: The Case for Workplace Organizing

(Fun Fact: I enthusiastically recommended the libcom “Organise Guide”, both in the video itself and in a list of resources for learning to organize.) :)

https://youtu.be/tKmIlAMIznQ

Video description

What can we do to win reforms? What can we do to abolish capitalism? To win we must become powerful, to become powerful we must organize.

The only way to end capitalism is for workers to seize the means of production. That takes A LOT of organizing and to reach that level of revolutionary organizing starts with organizing in your workplace. This builds the foundation for revolution.

In the shorter-term, workplace organizing gives us power to improve conditions at work, and if we organize between workplaces, we can have a general strike to make bigger changes by winning reforms from government. But to get there we need to start small.

Personal update

This video was a nightmare to edit. I filmed it mid-April, researched and wrote notes earlier in the month, and thought it would be ready for May Day. But it was my first try with an unscripted video, and I didn't stick to my notes but instead rambled all over the place for eight hours. So getting things pared down and into a coherent sequence was like untangling a plate of spaghetti.

I worked on it every day for over two months, and every week since May 1st I thought "This will be the week I finish." But again and again I was wrong, until it was finally released on June 13th. So glad to have this weight off my back! And I think it turned out well (I wasn't sure it would).

It's also the first video I've made so far that has an explicitly revolutionary and class-struggle focus in its message, so I feel excited to post it here because I think you folks will like it. :D

[youtube]tKmIlAMIznQ[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on August 22, 2020

Here’s my latest video: Comrades Not Competitors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNQOq3EunfQ&has_verified=1&bpctr=1598112865

Video description

We are stronger when we come together. But unfortunately, some of us try to fight oppression in ways that push us further apart.

This video is a response to the backlash against a recent Abolish ICE protest, a backlash that came not from the right but from those broadly considered within the left. A popular criticism was that it’s wrong to have a protest about ICE at a time when so many are focused on Black Lives Matter.

There were leftists and Black Lives Matter supporters who voiced strong disagreement with this critique, but it’s clearly a divided issue.

This is a troubling sign that many on the left lack sufficient understanding of the value of solidarity – not just its ethical value, but its strategic value – and lack knowledge of the historical record of how a powerful mass-movement develops.

Movements for different issues are not in competition. On the contrary, they have the potential to strengthen each other. That’s what I argue in this video and I look at historical case studies of mass-movements in Egypt and France to support my point.

Request

This video has been age restricted which means you have to sign in to view, it's not appearing on people's subscription page, and it may impact how likely the video is to be recommended. . This will hurt the views so I'll need help from others in sharing this video and spreading the word (if you're willing). Many thanks, comrades.

Have a good day and I wish you all the best in whatever you do.

[youtube]xNQOq3EunfQ[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 6 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on September 18, 2020

Latest video: Police: Reform? Defund? Abolish? A DEBATE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ik2xZEgoReE

Synopsis

Should police be reformed, defunded, or abolished? All this and more is discussed in this debate between a reformist and an abolitionist (both characters played by me).

Comment

I wrote this debate to have strong points made on both sides, rather than for one side to be DESTROYED. Instead, I wanted to raise and respond to challenging questions and strong criticisms.

My own opinion is that we should abolish the police, though I think genuine abolition is likely not possible within capitalism, but needs to be part of a revolutionary transition.

I tried hard to be unbiased in this debate so I wanted the reformist character to be a worthy opponent. I believe this strengthens the abolitionist case by showing how it can respond to some of the strongest counter-arguments.

Neither character comes across as right or justified in everything they say but hopefully both say things that are challenging, thought-provoking, and deepen your perspective on this topic.

I like to make my videos enjoyable to watch so I’ve added in some humor and entertainment. I hope you like it!

Have a great day, comrades. <3

[youtube]ik2xZEgoReE[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

3 years 4 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on October 24, 2020

New video: Voting & Electoralism: Steelman Debates Steelman
https://youtu.be/Mv7naNWfZ4A

Should we vote for the lesser evil? Should we engage in electoralism (do things beyond voting to influence who wins an election, e.g. canvassing, social media posts about a candidate)? Should we support politicians who identify as socialists?

These questions and more are explored in a debate between two characters, both played by me. I aim to present the strongest arguments each side has to offer. (It takes a while for the anti-electoralism side to get warmed up, so be patient.)

My personal opinion is that I have no problem with voting, but I believe that electoralism is harmful.

The video emphasizes that, regardless of whether or not you vote, our focus should be on building a working-class mass-movement to win reforms by our own actions and build our capacity for revolution.

The issues in this video apply to any “democratic” country in any year. The 2020 U.S. election of Joe Biden vs. Donald Trump is only used as an example.

[youtube]Mv7naNWfZ4A[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 17, 2021

I've fallen behind on posting here. I had a bit of a crisis that went on for months but which seems to have been resolved. So here's my latest video essay, which is already four months old, and in the next comment I'll post my most recent video, which isn't a video essay but a presentation I gave on something called the Aktion Show, a weekly livestream show about praxis, activism, and organizing.

Here's the summary for and link to the video essay:

It’s common for conservatives and even centrists to believe that black people have a victim complex and that this sabotages their socioeconomic success. They think black people don’t make an effort to succeed because they blame their problems on racism and feel entitled to handouts.

This video draws on various research studies to debunk this dangerous myth.

Debunking the “black victim mentality” theory is important because it’s an ideological obstacle to addressing the systemic and institutional causes of black / white socioeconomic inequality.

https://youtu.be/J0aK679qYeY

[youtube]J0aK679qYeY[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 11 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on April 17, 2021

And here's the livestream video (though it has a non-livestream intro and outro that I added in)

How to Grow a Movement: Tips for Activists & Organizers

Advice that is useful for any organizer or activist, to help your organization or movement grow in both size and active participation.

This advice draws from two sources:

1. Social psychology

2. Real life examples of successful mass movements and organizing campaigns

This video is an episode of the Aktion Show, a weekly livestream about praxis and direct action, but includes a brief intro and outro that was not part of the show. Skip to 4:03 for the main presentation.

https://youtu.be/VsN_IMFa0tE

[youtube]VsN_IMFa0tE[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 15, 2021

Finally releasing a new video after a long hiatus. I was going through a difficult time for a while but I’m ready to get back into it. Here’s the video description:

Meritocracy is a sweet lie we’re told to make capitalism seem fair. But is this lie actually sweet? Is meritocracy something good to strive for, or is it trash?

https://youtu.be/ENsrf27uLJg

This video will:

1. Discuss how belief in meritocracy is used to pacify, control and manipulate us into supporting a system that’s against our interests

2. Present evidence that meritocracy is a myth

3. Argue that capitalists get rich not by merit but by owning assets, and profit gained from this can be considered a legally protected form of theft

4. Make the case that meritocracy is not a desirable goal to aspire to

5. Present a preferable alternative to meritocracy, as described by Peter (Pyotr) Kropotkin in The Conquest of Bread (aka The Bread Book)
[youtube]ENsrf27uLJg[/youtube]

freemind

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on June 16, 2021

Hi Blackcat!
I take it you've done a few of these videos thus far?
Is it possible to do a collage of them all or am I being a technophobe dinosaur

freemind

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on June 16, 2021

Do you plan on releasing a video on what constitutes Anarchism and what doesn't,
I despair when I hear confused interpretations of Anarchism from some Comrades and Lifestylists and Laisses Faire types claiming they are Libertarians

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 17, 2021

Hey Freemind! By collage of all my videos, I assume you mean somewhere you can find them all in one place? If so, yes, and here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/LuckyBlackCat/videos

Regarding a video on the definition of anarchism, you can try Zoe Baker's video "What is Anarchy? | Anarchism 101" https://youtu.be/CDMGfsUjS_I

(It's been a couple years since I watched it but she's very knowledgeable about anarchism so I trust that it's good.)

You can also check this thread for other recommendations of anarchist channels http://libcom.org/forums/general/anarchist-youtube-13012019

I'm currently in the research phase of a video that will be on the history of the definitions of socialism and communism. Anarchism will be discussed insofar as it is a type of socialism/communism, but it won't be the focus.

This won't be the next video I release, though. I had a six month absence from uploading video essays in part because I was going through a rough time and also because I wanted to make several videos and save them up so I can release them within short intervals (about one week apart). The Meritocracy video is the first of nine that I have ready to go. By the time those are released I'll hopefully have the definitions video ready.

In the future I plan to make videos that get into the topic of anarchism quite deeply, but that's a ways off. I don't want my channel to just preach to the choir so I'm trying to build politically diverse subscribers. This is very difficult, in part because of how YouTube's algorithm works. In order to try to achieve this, I'm still in the phase of making videos that aim to appeal to the broad "left" (including left-leaning liberals). Then I plan to make a series of videos about capitalism, after that a series about anarchism, then a series about revolution, and then a series about building revolution.

But I'm not opposed to making a few videos here and there that don't strictly adhere to this order, so maybe a definition of anarchism video will appear on my channel sooner than planned.

freemind

2 years 9 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on June 18, 2021

Hi Lucky Black Cat;
Appreciate the reply and the info requested.
It's an effective form of AgitProp you've started and we'll executed so keep at it.
I believe videos on the origins and fundamentals need to be stressed especially today as its loosely threaded counter culture base can be a barrier to Anarchism in that misunderstandings are fostered and the Anticapitalist Class base of Libertarian Communism can be ignored by liberals who seek to subvert Anarchism to their own ends.
Best wishes Comrade

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 23, 2021

Thanks for the kind words. Yep, there sure are plenty of "anarcho-liberals" out there.

I've been learning some new things researching the definitions video so I'm excited about its eventual release.

Ok, now to post my new video...

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on June 23, 2021

Here’s my latest video: The Abuser Logic of PragerU
https://youtu.be/tfrKOYKyXWw

Responding to “Socialism Makes People Selfish” by PragerU, a video which tries to convince you it’s selfish to want society to guarantee the things we need for basic wellbeing and survival.

To argue this point, PragerU uses “abuser logic” – a warped pattern of reasoning that abusers use to convince their victims they’re unworthy of decent treatment.

This parallel with abusers is unsurprising, since the entire working class is in an abusive relationship with capitalism. PragerU wants us to believe we are unworthy of socialism (a term which I use in my videos as a synonym for communism), or even unworthy of a reformed version of capitalism with stronger social welfare policies.

My video is a response intended to debunk and ridicule this capitalist propaganda. Most people who frequent the libcom forum probably won’t learn anything new from this video but I’ve tried to make it entertaining so if you do watch I think you’ll enjoy it.

[youtube]tfrKOYKyXWw[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 1, 2021

New video: Why Capitalism Doesn’t Work
video length: 16:56
https://youtu.be/CG_lcbTpR3s

Debunking the video “Why Capitalism Works” by PragerU, aka Prager University, and having a few laughs along the way.

The reason capitalism doesn’t work is due to inherent flaws and failings within the system. The problem is not that individual capitalists are greedy. Individual greed can be an aggravating factor, but even capitalists who are well intentioned must make profit the priority.

The result is an economic system which sacrifices people’s lives and wellbeing and which threatens the future survival of human civilization and even the survival of our species, all for the sake of profit.

All this is discussed in more detail throughout the video.
[youtube]CG_lcbTpR3s[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 10, 2021

New video: The Capitalist Propaganda of Multi-Millionaire Andy Puzder: A Response
Video length: 17:28
https://youtu.be/41_6RGrZA5o

A response to two propaganda videos by multimillionaire CEO and author Andy Puzder where he argues that capitalism caters to human needs and empowers the masses as a form of economic democracy.

This response video debunks Puzder’s claims while also presenting a broader critique of capitalism more generally.

[youtube]41_6RGrZA5o[/youtube]

ajjohnstone

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by ajjohnstone on July 10, 2021

This project of yours is admirable and to be commended. Well done i look forward to many more of your videos

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 8 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 12, 2021

Thanks so much! And I've been a long time appreciator of literature that the SPGB has on the socialist/communist mode of production. Helped me make sense of it.

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 25, 2021

Here’s my latest video: “Tax the Rich? Why More Is Not Enough”
Length: 18:00
https://youtu.be/SJaoDBJC8M0

No matter how high we raise taxes on the rich, it cannot resolve the inherent injustice of capitalism.

This video responds to videos by PragerU and The Daily Wire and then goes beyond that to critique the liberal perspective on taxing the rich.

Summary:

1. PragerU and The Daily Wire misrepresent the facts to exaggerate how much tax the rich pay

2. However, a large portion of tax revenue is indeed paid by the rich

3. The argument that liberal progressives make to justify this is: Those who can afford more should pay more.

4. This argument is flawed: it accepts the belief that the rich subsidize and support the rest of us.

5. The opposite is true, at least when it comes to rich capitalists, who are the majority of the rich. It’s the working-class who support and subsidize the rich, because it’s the working-class who produces their wealth.

The next video, the sequel to this one, will address the question: Do rich people who are not capitalists pay too much tax?
[youtube]SJaoDBJC8M0[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on July 31, 2021

(Note that I use the word socialist to refer to a stateless and classless society... I use it because it's less scary to most people than the c-word)

My latest video: “Tax the Rich? New questions: A Socialist Perspective”
Time: 17:58

https://youtu.be/5q6j4Kh8LEA

Quoting from the video description I put on youtube:

Since rich capitalists amass their wealth by exploiting workers, they have no right to complain about taxes. But not all rich people are capitalists. Some are high-income workers. This raises some questions:

• Is it justified that high-salary workers pay a high portion of the tax revenue? If so, what is that justification?

• Does paying a high portion of taxes mean they contribute more to society than other members of the working class?

• Does the high market value of their labor, as reflected by their high salary, mean that their labor contributes more social value to society?

And also:

• Higher tax for the rich is the progressive liberal solution to address inequality and provide better funding for public goods and services. But what is the socialist solution?

This video essay will address these questions.
[youtube]5q6j4Kh8LEA[/youtube]

freemind

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by freemind on August 6, 2021

Excellent analysis and eloquently broken down LBC Even a cabbage like me can understand it lol
Reminds me of my American relatives claiming the Middle Class suffer most in Economic Depressions!
The inversions by the Rich would be laughed and ridiculed by everyone but with the Monopoly of the media the addage If you tell a lie often enough people will believe it comes into play.
Keep up the good work.

ajjohnstone

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by ajjohnstone on August 6, 2021

The classic Marxian explanation of tax is that it is a burden upon the capitalist class due to the operation of the Law of Value determining the price of labour-power - wages.

The process of determining wages is not automatic or inevitable; workers have to struggle for higher wages and salaries. Workers need to be concerned with what we get to take home in our pay packet, irrespective of the notional gross before-tax amounts shown.

This passing on of costs from workers to employers will only happen if workers actively struggle for it and successfully achieve it. It doesn't just happen automatically. And there may be a time lag in the process. The capitalists will resist it, and sometimes workers fail to achieve it

Tax evaders are simply capitalists robbing other capitalists by dodging paying their share of running their State.

In my experience, it is often a difficult concept to convey to fellow workers.

Marx put it this way

"If all taxes which bear on the working class were abolished root and branch, the necessary consequence would be the reduction of wages by the whole amount of taxes which goes into them. Either the employers' profit would rise as a direct consequence by the same quantity, or else no more than an alteration in the form of tax-collecting would have Our argument is that although some taxes are paid by the working class, the burden of taxation rests on the capitalists and has to be paid out of the profit accruing to them in the form of rent, interest and profit, the basis of which is the unpaid labour"

The Marxist economist Paul Mattick Jr. explains

“Tax money appears to be paid by everyone. But despite the appearance that business is undertaxed, only business actually pays taxes. To understand this, remember that the total income produced in a year is the money available for all purposes. Some of this money must go to replace producers’ goods used up in the previous year; some must go in the form of wages to buy consumer goods so that the labour force can reproduce itself; the rest appears as profit, interest, rent – and taxes. The money workers actually get is their ‘after tax’ income; from this perspective, tax increases on employee income are just a way of lowering wages. The money deducted from paycheques, as well as from dividends, capital gains and other forms of business income, could appear as business profits – which, let us remember, is basically the money generated by workers’ activity that they do not receive as wages – if it didn’t flow through paycheques (or other income) into government coffers”

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on August 9, 2021

Freemind - thank you!

Ajjohnstone - Interesting. There are different theories on how the tax burden is distributed between workers and capitalists for different types of taxes. It's probably a bit too complicated for me, but yeah, the shifting balance of power between capitalists and workers is a big part of it.

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on August 9, 2021

New video:

OK Boomer: Class War Not Generation War
https://youtu.be/CY4pNGK7ccI

Boomers get a lot of hate. The boomer generation is blamed for the awful state of the world, ruining the housing market, job market, and environment. Millennials and Gen Z are framed as their victims.

This discourse promotes a confused misunderstanding of power dynamics in capitalism. It stifles class consciousness and diverts attention from the systemic causes of our environmental and economic woes.

This video will discuss the Top 5 Reasons why this discourse is inaccurate and counterproductive.
[youtube]CY4pNGK7ccI[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 7 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on August 17, 2021

Here’s my latest video: Who Pays for Capitalism?

https://youtu.be/oiIanTrgXu0

(As I mentioned in earlier posts I use the term socialism to mean a stateless, classless society.)

People who are against socialism, or even just skeptical, often ask the question: Who pays for socialism?

Many believe that it’s those with higher levels of income or wealth who pay for socialism. Not only is this a false conclusion, it’s based on a false understanding of socialism.

It’s rare for people to interrogate capitalism with this same question. If we did, the answer from bourgeois economists would be that capitalists pay for capitalism, by funding economic production. It’s an answer, however, that leaves out more than it tells.

So who really pays for socialism? And who pays for capitalism? This video essay sets out to answer both these questions.
[youtube]oiIanTrgXu0[/youtube]

Lucky Black Cat

2 years 5 months ago

In reply to by libcom.org

Submitted by Lucky Black Cat on October 12, 2021

Here’s my latest video: Climate Change Policy Pitch Meeting
https://youtu.be/AsKkP6ZK9xE

A satirical look at international climate change policy, inspired by Pitch Meeting. Pitch Meeting is satire of a screenwriter pitching a script to a movie studio. It ridicules the absurd flaws of movies, but this video uses the format to ridicule the absurd flaws of international climate change policy. If you haven’t seen Pitch Meeting then this video might seem pretty weird, but I hope it’s at least informative.

Since the Paris Agreement international treaty is foundational for climate change policy worldwide, I wanted to make a video that exposes its inadequacies.
[youtube]AsKkP6ZK9xE[/youtube]