Presenting 56 pages of anti-organisational, insurrectional, anti-civilisation anarchy of the 21st Century. A collection of critical texts and letters from anarchist points of view examining the new changes in production and social control brought about by new technologies which are ushering in a totalising prison-world and the advance of smarter-than-human machines. This issue of 325 builds on the considerations and content of the last issue which took as it’s focus the subject of the Technological Singularity. Six years later, the mechanisms, ideologies and impacts of this global dystopian project are nearer and clearer and the texts you will read in this new issue deal with the emerging realities of these technological revolutions.
For the first time, 325 is coming out in 3 languages: First in English, with Spanish and Italian to follow. Printed copies will be available soon, but we also encourage people to print out their own copies and distribute them in their area.
CONTENTS : 325#12
3. Editorial
4. Automation, Robotics & Labour in the 4th & 5th Industrial Revolutions
8. From Riot to Insurrection – Excerpt
9. A Small Criticism of Science and its World
10. Covid-19 World: Epidemics in the era of Capitalism
12. The Fractures of Dominion
13. Coordinated Incendiary Attacks Against Relay Antennas in Grenoble, France
14. The 4th and 5th Industrial Revolutions
17. The Artificial Reproduction of the Human: The Road of Transhumanism
23. Machine Psychology: A Disappearing Act
25. Oblique Look
28. Smartphones, Ringtones, Capital
29. Cashless Societies and Crypto-Currencies: End of the Traditional Era of Banking and Finance
32. Contribution to the 1st International Meeting Against Techno-Sciences by imprisoned anarchist Dino Giagtzoglou
38. Cybernetic Society and its World
48. Against Starlink
50. Space : Part 1
51. To Be Released
53. Direct Action Chronology
Stuart Christie, founder of the Anarchist Black Cross and Cienfuegos Press and co-author of The floodgates of anarchy has died peacefully after a battle with lung cancer.
Born in Glasgow and brought up in Blantyre, Christie credited his grandmother for shaping his political outlook, giving him a clear moral map and ethical code. His determination to follow his conscience led him to anarchism: “Without freedom there would be no equality and without equality no freedom, and without struggle there would be neither.” It also led him from the campaign against nuclear weapons to joining the struggle against the Spanish fascist dictator Francisco Franco (1892-1975).
He moved to London and got in touch with the clandestine Spanish anarchist organisation Defensa Interior (Interior Defence). He was arrested in Madrid in 1964 carrying explosives to be used in an assassination attempt on Franco. To cover the fact that there was an informer inside the group, the police proclaimed they had agents operating in Britain – and (falsely) that Christie had drawn attention to himself by wearing a kilt.
The threat of the garotte and his twenty year sentence drew international attention to the resistance to the Franco regime. In prison Christie formed lasting friendships with anarchist militants of his and earlier generations. He returned from Spain in 1967, older and wiser, but equally determined to continue the struggle and use his notoriety to aid the comrades he left behind. Read the rest of this entry »
Just like today, 10 years ago, the Chilean State carried out an extensive repressive operation against comrades and anarchist operations in response to the dozens of bombings against symbols and institutions of the State and Capital. This operation, which led to the arrest of ten anarchists and became known as the “Bombs Case”, ended in a fiasco, as the five who were eventually prosecuted were completely acquitted, and were described by the press as the biggest defeat of law enforcement authorities in court history. Today, two of our comrades, Monica and Francisco, who were among those arrested at the time, are again imprisoned in a State that a few months ago slaughtered a massive social uprising that shocked us all.
After so many years of persecution and imprisonment, relentless struggles inside and outside prisons, they remain steadfast and convinced of the right of the liberation struggle. It is such examples of combatants that have motivated me too to take subversive initiatives and make choices of resistance to domination and exploitation. In such paths of struggle we want to and must walk constantly with love for life and freedom and without fear for death or prison.
With the undimmed memory of Mauricio Morales,
With passion and determination,
With stubbornness and commitment,
With my heads high,
From the bottom of my heart I send a rebellious signal and a big hug to Monica Caballero and Francisco Solar.
REBELLION FIRST AND ALWAYS
Dinos
Special underground section of Koridallos prison
14/08/2020
TENSIONS WITH REFORMISM AND THE CONSTITUENT PROCESS IN THE MIDST OF FIRE AND RIOTING IN CHILE
The idea and practice of anarchic insurrection in the Chilean region and the world is enough to make us forget who we are and to uncritically join social revolts in which diverse and sometimes contradictory interests are involved.
For us, insurrectionists and antisocial anarchists, it has been a great joy to share moments of generalised rebellion between like-minded people and sometimes with circumstantial accomplices united by the desire to bring out the rage against what oppresses us.
However, when we go deeper into the visions about the struggle and what we want to destroy and build, the differences usually come out and we are not interested in this going unnoticed just to be socially accepted. On the contrary, the fire of our indomitable hearts calls us to propagate the idea and practice of confrontation against all forms of social order. Read the rest of this entry »
Repressions against anarchists in Belarus!
WE NEED SOLIDARITY! PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS INFORMATION!
On August 12, anarchists Alexander Frantskevich and Akihiro Khanada were detained in Belarus. Frantskevich is a former political prisoner, in 2010-2013 he was imprisoned on charges of attacks on government facilities. The police call him “the leader of the most radical group of anarchists, “Revolutionary Action.”” At the moment, Alexander is accused of organizing mass riots (sanctions – from 5 to 15 years in prison). It is currently unknown what the second detainee, Akihiro Hanada, is accused of.
Anarchists have been the most radical and one of the organized forces opposing the regime of Alexander Lukashenko for a long time. They actively participate in all mass protests of Belarusians against the dictatorship, and have long been the object of persecution by the authorities.
Now, with the start of unprecedented protests for Belarus, the authorities are concerned about the popularity of anarchists, and they are beginning another round of repressions. State TV channels directly accuse Russian and Belarusian anarchists of “coordinating the riots,” and Frantskevich and Akihiro, apparently are suitable candidates for the role of “organizers of protests.” Now our comrades are facing long imprisonment for fighting against the dictatorship, and we call on everyone don’t be indifferent. Conduct actions of solidarity, demand the release of Frantskevich, Akihiro and all the detainees, translate and disseminate this appeal in all languages of the world. Belarus is a country very sensitive to global pressure. By drawing as much attention as possible to the case against the anarchists, we can influence its positive outcome.
We also remind you, that anarchist Nikita Yemelyanov is still imprisoned in Belarus, sentenced to four years in prison for symbolic attacks on court buildings and an isolation ward in Minsk.
You can send reports on the conducted actions to our Belarusian comrades from “Revolutionary Action” to revolutionaruaction(AT)riseup(DOT)net
Or you can send us news about the conducted actions
Mail media_ns(AT)riseup(DOT)net
Telegram bot: @Anarchotheory_bot
15.08.2020: Police have announced that they are investigating 6 anarchists or anarchist affiliated protesters – however, 7 people were put on display at the cop press conference. This follows national protests against Jokowi’s neoliberal Omnibus Law (see video) and is occurring in the context of a government crackdown on anarchists. Updates to follow when more information is known.
Amongst the topics were the ongoing social uprising in Slovenia, the dynamics and challenges of such a movement in the Covid-19 context, state repression and neonazi attacks as well as a comparison to the 2012/2013 uprising. Last but not least our comrade offers an analysis of the tactics used in the struggle and how to possibly go forward.
For the first time in the history of Belarus, people across the country rebelled against the dictatorship. Many thousands of demonstrations are held not only in the capital, but also in small towns. People take to the streets and not only peacefully protest against the authorities, but also fight against the state apparatus – they help friends and comrades and clash with punishers.
August 10, barricades appeared in the streets of Minsk for the first time, while protesters began using molotov cocktails. Some enterprises and firms went on strike.
In recent days, standing shoulder to shoulder, we have felt what the energy of the people means. We have realized that together we can overthrow a tyrant!
The blockage of the Internet could not stop the news flow. People all over the world have learned that the Belarusian dictatorship is ready to drown the population in blood just to stay in power. In three days, police and internal troops detained more than 5000 people, hundreds suffered from cop violence. At least one person has been killed.
Now more than ever, international solidarity is important in the fight against Lukashenko. Therefore, we call you all to join the international day of actions in solidarity with Belarusian people! In what format can you express your solidarity? You can hold rallies and demonstrations at Belarusian embassies and other institutions of Belarusian power in your country. Take collective photos. Take part in direct actions. Any, even the smallest solidarity can support the fire of rebellion that will tear down the dictatorship in our country!
Send your reports to belarus_abc@riseup.net or post on social networks with the #Belarus hashtag.
The Bubble (Bublina in Czech) is a squat, located on the planet Earth, somewhere on the road between the cities of Aš and Břeclav. These buildings with a yard have been unused by the owner and inhabited by many different people with many various motivations over the years. Some of them left, others have been expelled by the police. Since August 2019, the squat has been occupied by first member of a newly emerging group of residents and supporters, and has been re-named to “Bublina” (The Bubble).
This first resident has been dealing with housing crisis and lack of space to thrive for quite some time. After a few months, two more people joined who has been on streets since their employer deprived them of financial resources. They moved right before outbreak of Covid- 19 pandemic, which allowed them to self- isolate in quarantine here and survive without health risks. Both of them are elderly, so their health could have been compromised otherwise. These elderly men and middle-aged anarchist soon became accustomed to living together. It is not ideology nor generational struggle which made them cooperate, but their willingness to solve their material conditions and fulfill their other needs by squatting. Read the rest of this entry »
Elephant in the room – Bringing down the dictatorship. Interview on protests in Belarus
Since Sunday streets in Belarus are filled with rage of protesters trying to bring down the dictatorship. People from all parts of the society have been clashing in the night of August 9 in 33 different cities around the country. They are fighting against president Lukashenko who is ruling the country for the last 26 years.
We got together with one of comrades from Belarus who is living in emigration and clarified some things that are happening in Belarus right now.
Music:
Lyapis Trubetskoy
Zdrada Pałki
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How did the Belarusians come to rebellion against the dictatorship
If you had asked people in Belarus how long the dictatorship of Lukashenko was left in early 2020, they would have looked at you like a fool. In a respected dictatorship, such questions are not asked, because you know what can happen. And in general, it so happens that the reign of the great leader is timeless. But the situation has changed so radically over the last 8 months that Belarusians took to the streets and for the first time in the new history of Belarus they fought back the police in at least 33 different cities of the country.
Today Belarusians have woken up in a new country. In it, people openly talk about hatred for the government and prepare for a violent confrontation with the police and state. They discuss online and live effective methods of struggle. Several factories went on strike the day after the elections. Read the rest of this entry »
En un contexto global de pandemia continuamos editando CONFRONTACIÓN, mientras en Chile y el mundo el sistema de dominación se fortalece y extiende a través de la tecnología, la presencia policial y militar, la intoxicación comunicacional, la enfermedad, la muerte y la manipulación a través de la difusión social del miedo por parte del poder.
En Chile, la pandemia trajo consigo también un retrotraimiento de la revuelta y de la conflictividad callejera masificada desde el 18 de octubre de 2019, teniendo algunos rebrotes de rabia en los últimos meses. Por eso en esta edición reflexionamos sobre temas necesarios y contingentes desde perspectivas anárquicas e insurrectas de CONFRONTACIÓN.
Dedicamos este número a la memoria del compañero Mauricio Morales y enviamos nuestro calor insurrecto a lxs compañerxs anárquicxs Mónica Caballero y Francisco Solar, encarceladxs recientemente acusadxs de atentados explosivos contra policías, representantes y símbolos del poder. Con ellxs está la solidaridad anárquica que es palabra y acción.
PERIÓDICO CONFRONTACIÓN
CHILE, AGOSTO 2020
confrontacion@riseup.net
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The right to vote is seen as a necessary prerequisite for freedom across the world. People have fought and died for the right to vote in elections. Women across the world fought bitter battles for the right to vote. So why are the Aotearoa Workers Solidarity Movement (AWSM) questioning this as a right worth having?
The entire electoral show is designed to encourage us to believe that not only does our vote matter, but that it’s the most important decision we could possibly make. Indeed voting is held so sacred by many that the mere mention of not voting is enough to cause outrage. When we have pointed out that our vote makes no difference anyway, we’ve been accused of being apathetic, privileged, immature, and even being part of the alt-right!
But as noted anarchist Vernon Richards wrote, “so long as we have capitalism and government, the job of anarchists is to fight both, and at the same time encourage people to take what steps they can to run their own lives.” [“Anarchists and Voting”, pp. 176-87, The Raven, No. 14, p. 179]
We argue that electoralism ensures that a statist perspective becomes dominant. Everything is seen in terms of state intervention and following the decisions of the leaders, which has always proved deadly to encouraging a spirit of revolt, self-management and self-help – the very keys to creating change in a society. Read the rest of this entry »
