So after the Holla Forums podcast appearance in the other thread there were a lot of people who'd like to do an AMA with doug. He accepted, but he wasn't too hot on doing it here, realizing there's a big chance he either gets trolled or made to see disturbing stuff from epic "ironic" locals or perhaps even a raid from Holla Forums. Instead it's gonna be a video, and he wants me to collect some questions.
I say starting from now until, say, 3 hours max everyone post some questions in this thread. I'll then make a poll with all of them in it and ya'll can vote on the best ones and I'll send the most voted questions to him. I don't think he'd mind answering weirder AMA-flavored questions either as long as they're not too grotesque so you can add some fun shit too.
1.) Opinion on the USSR and other previous or still existing socialist states like Cuba.
2.) Opinion on Leninism (or Maoism as an expansion on the latter) as a form of organization
Zachary Allen
bump
Carson Nelson
(lemme brainstorm some questions)
Opinion about Zizek's proposed bureaucratic socialism? Will you invite him to do another interview after his Lenin 2017 book is published?
As an [insert adjective-]Marxist who is also in the publishing business how does the free flow of .pdfs make you feel?
When will you have Jodi Dean on your show? What do you think about her work? Same with Adrian Johnston.
Paul Cockshott received a recent hype here on Leftypol. Thoughts on his cybernetics?
You reproduced. Congrats. There's a good chance kids born now will suffer immensely due to global warming in a not so distant future. Is this an example of what Dupuy calls the crisis of our time, that people's knowledge [say, of global warming] don't translate into belief [thus acting accordingly]?
Marx and his foes. Was he fair vs. Bakunin, Proudhon, Stirner?
Christian Sanchez
What does he think about Holla Forums posting book they publish
Nathan Bailey
*sniff* communism is already here!
Julian Phillips
Leftypol has a good number of under 18 comrades. Many of them express the desire to study theory but confess having problems that hinder them: anxiety, medication, lacking reading comprehension skills (mostly due to horrible education systems), lacking the social support (reading isn't cool, and you miss out on social life), being overwhelmed and drained by the sensuous overload of late capitalism, and so on. As a guy who shits out 3 magnificently written tomes and learns two new languages a day, what kind of advice can you give to our young comrades?
Easton Gray
What kind of drugs have you tried?
Zachary Walker
Just tell 'em I appreciate his work and hope he keeps going. 👍
Jacob Adams
Are you a member of a communist party, and if not, how dare you?
Asher Flores
Doug, please sort these books in order of current relevance: Debord's Society of the Spectacle; Adorno's Culture Industry; Baudrillard's Simulacra. What are your reasons?
Anthony Cruz
Please answer this conundrum.
Adrian Diaz
Come the fuck on. It's like he doesn't even want to touch this site. Just tell him to lurk the thread and chose the questions he likes.
Nathaniel Gray
Did the kulaks deserve it? Did Trotsky deserve the ice pick?
Hudson Smith
Did Makhno betray the first alliance or was it Trotsky?
Michael Howard
...
Christopher Lee
Good questions gomrades. Keep em coming.
Dude, I can't make him come here for the AMA. I explained to him how it would go and answered his questions Re: potentially getting trolled and told him that BO would likely make sure there's a vol or two on thot patrol to see and deal with shitposts and disturbing shit if possible, but he said it'd probably still be better to do it in video format.
And this ain't true. He looked around here when I asked him if he was fine with interviewing a poster and talking about the subject and he definitely went around and looked at threads, and said he'd lurk in the future just to see. It's just that he thinks for an AMA it's probably going to be much more productive this way and spare the chance of getting trolled.
Dominic Nelson
-Opinions on anarchism; what does he take issue with? -Opinions on Transhumanism and how it might manifest in different societies? -What kind of visual art, films, music and literature do you enjoy, and what are your favourites? (General overview) -What do you think about the revolutionary potential of the third world? -Opinion on Bread-Pilling/RedScare-Pilling normies/capitalists (i.e. Tips on how to do it)? -Do you subscribe to any form of spirituality? -How do you sleep at night knowing you've brain-washed millions of possible proficient capitalists into Cultural Marxism and away from real-world, common sense *oink* economics? ——————————————- I love everything you guys do at Zero Books, Doug. Thank for giving me meaningful thinks to think about, helping me develop in analysing the world around me and providing quality propaganda to indoctrinate other people with. I'm planning on starting a "leftysoc" society at my school, and you're vids are gonna be featured fairly heavily to reach a larger audience.
Joshua Peterson
Dude, we know.
Landon Jones
I fucking hate this keyboard
Samuel Garcia
What other leftist publishers do you like? Do you ever feel like you're 'competing' with them? What is your favorite book you have published? Is there hope?
Ryan Baker
First of all, I just want to say that Doug is amazing and I've been a big fan of his podcast since it was Diet Soap. Anyway, I was wondering if he'd ever get Jehu on the podcast, maybe even at the same time as C Derrick Varn, maybe spark some debate. Also, try to get Varn to write something for Zero Books! Maybe a brief history of the Left, something on education, or maybe something more prescriptive, criticizing what he sees as the mistakes the Left has made and what he thinks they should be doing instead. I mean that's basically what Pop the Left was, hell, I'd love to see either Doug or Varn write that book. Or just bring back Pop the Left.
Connor Edwards
How come so many books written today are little more than glorified blogposts inflated with fluff that contributes nothing to the ideas expressed?
Elijah Walker
What are Doug's general opinions on Communization Theory, Accelerationism, and Xenofeminism?
Levi Thompson
I'll sing him the praise and all that and ask him directly if he'd wanna have Varn publish on ZB. Same goes for anyone else ITT who just wanted to give him the thumbs up.
In what sense are you asking this question? Are you a Sokal type who disdains all philsophy and handwaves it off as "postmodernism" and "intellectual imposture" or are you referring to something specific, like how you perceive what Zero Books publishes in general or some specific examples? If this becomes one of the questions he'll have a hard time giving an interesting answer as it is just like that.
Owen Rogers
Is it a problem that Marxism seems to have receded into academia and cultural critique? To what degree was this trend already present in the Second and Third Internationals, and the idea of the Proletariat as an "identity" that workers must identify with in order to organize. Or is this organizing of "workers" counter-intuitive, as the goal of Communism is the abolition of this class of "workers" all together. Basically, how do you feel about the Frankfurt School, Althusser, and the legacy of academic Marxism that seems predisposed towards identity based conceptions of class, and how do you feel about the similar political/activist wing of Marxism, and do you feel they too tend to view class too much as an identity?
Anthony Walker
I'm extremely hyped for the upcoming Nick Land ep.
Caleb Perry
...
William Walker
What are Doug's top five favorite sci-fi novels?
Dominic Butler
Had he read towards a new socialism yet?
Brandon Turner
Who will win: communism or global warming?
Joshua Carter
Does Doug consider himself a Leftcom/ultraleft? If not, why? Also, has he read Dauvé's Eclipse and Re-Emergence of the Communist Movement?
Gabriel Morris
What's the weirdest thing you've ever masturbated to? Why has Marxism retreated back into academia and Anarchism become the domain of lifestylists, both of which end up funneling potential radicals towards liberalism? Touching on the above, has this retreat away from class struggle's front lines resulted in a left incapable of talking to the rest of the proletariat?
Lincoln Allen
Cultural Revolution. More bad then good, or more good then bad?
Mason Sanchez
How does he think the economy will change now after neoliberalism is dying? What is his thought on automation on what will it mean for the working class?
Cooper Jackson
What would you say is the main difference between Zero Books and Verso Books?
Lucas Brooks
How does Doug feel about Post-Keynesianism and MMT. Also, is there really any difference between Keynesianism and Marxism-Leninism? Or are they truly both just "the Leftwing of Capital" as many Leftcoms like to say?
Brandon Wright
Is Noam Chomsky just a Liberal? If so, was there a time when he wasn't?
Caleb Cox
Expanding on this. Does Doug have any specific thoughts on Left Accelerationism and Unconditional Accelerationism?
Aaron Edwards
Report submitted!
Adrian Ramirez
Looks tasty
Chase Ward
Thoughts on Maoism Third-Worldism? Also, I know he used a clip of "Posadist Rebel News". but is he familiar with The Roo?
John Collins
Could Marxism and Anarchism ever be synthesized? Or are their ideas of theory and praxis too different? Also, thoughts on Bookchin and the Kurds?
Luke Peterson
He did a whole podcast with the guy with the Posadist Rebel News: youtube.com/watch?v=5CTZFLgUYew. Should I then just add the UnrHUEquestions separately and ask him what he thinks of him?
Christian Evans
Yes. Also, I listened to that pod, loved it, I just didn't know if Doug knew what "Comrade Communicator" was directly parodying.
Lucas Jenkins
Alright, and I'm fairly sure he realizes it's a joke.
Andrew Anderson
Who do you think is the most important living artist?
Kevin Gonzalez
Has the Party form outlived itself as a mode of organizing? If so, what's next? Also, general thoughts on Democratic Centralism and Vanguardism. Also, does Doug like Badiou?
Nathan Sanchez
Of course fam, but you can also think a parody is funny without knowing the source of the parody. Airplane! is my all-time favorite comedy film, but I never have, and never will, watch Airport 1975, the disaster film it's directly spoofing.
Kevin Anderson
whos your celeb crush?
Isaiah Gray
Is identity politics ruining discourse in the Left ?
What does the future of the Left look like?
Cameron Thomas
THIS
Samuel Cook
No, it's not specific to Zero books or "intellectuals," but in general contemporary books tend to have whole sections that seem to serve no purpose other than increasing the page/word count. I'm curious if it's just lousy writing/editing or there's any reason behind this. Like youtube videos that are stretched only to fit in more advertisements, something like that.
Sorry if it's a stupid question.
Jace Reyes
The name then, as a derivate based on Maoist Rebel News? I'm not sure about that.
I'll drop the question in like it was then and if it goes through we'll see what he deduces from it.
Ryan Phillips
Favourite anime?
Alexander Bailey
Would you rather be 100ft tall or as smart as Stephen Hawking?
Cameron Ross
This is a good question. I also want to add, to what degree was Marx or Lenin "authoritarian" in the sense that Bakunin or Emma Goldman accused them as such? i.e. to what degree did Stalin exist already in Marx's theories, or was it an absolute betrayal of his ideas? Also, general thoughts on Stalin and Trotsky. What do you think the material conditions that lead to Stalinism were? Also, what do you think of Michael Parenti, or the defense of the post-Stalinist Russia of the 60's and 70's. Was it Socialism? Was it good?
Chase Phillips
Thoughts on Blanquism. Groups like Weather Underground and Red Army Faction. Or the Italian Insurrectionary Anarchists. How much good or bad do these groups do for the Left?
Noah Carter
Alright, that's now about three hours past with a ton of questions. Gonna make the poll now. Anything that still comes above this post I'll add in but it's final now.
Can't you just show him the questions and let him choose?
Charles King
That's what I'm gonna do. The votes will just tell him what Holla Forums would like the most, but it's up to him to make the choice.
Ryder Scott
I can answer these for you with 99% Doug-accuracy.
Verso! [Insert humble bumble.] Pic related. Yes!
Andrew Johnson
Dude.
Ayden Howard
yeah what the fuck is this shit?
Jason Flores
...
Luke Watson
The fuck guys?
Didn't even think about multivote option but honestly I think it might be better this way. 1 vote per person means people will really have to think what question they value most rather than throwing em around.
If ya'll really want me to redo it with multivote I can do that and also fix some typos/malformed questions.
Jeremiah Rivera
I think multivote would be a like a reddit upvote system and may push the most popular things the top
Jack Thomas
Also, everyone will just vote for the question they asked, I know that's what I did tbh.
Matthew Perry
This.
Instead of faglords picking their own + 2-3 that they find interesting you'll get a vote outcome where most options have 1 votes. You didn't think this through now did ya?
Leo Myers
Alright I'll do that.
Honestly I didn't even look at the poll options and just pressed "create poll" when I had 'em all.
Check back in a bit. I might make a new thread just for the poll. Y/N?
Levi Sanchez
I personally don't think it's necessary? If you can, delete the post with the old poll, then post the new poll with the link along with "remade the poll, vote again" or something.
Which of Doug's books would anons in this thread recommend?
Tyler Price
bump
Thomas Clark
fam when do you think he'll get his video out? Also you should organize more leftypol amas. I like you
Andrew Howard
Maybe we can get the Wolff to do a Q&A in a similar fashion? We donated to his monthly show after all.
Kevin Russell
If the interview/podcast with me was an indicator it'll take a while, like a week and a half. Though this doesn't require too much editing so it could be faster. I'll ask him and report back. And thanks.
Might be doable. If we can Wolff Feeder user again to work his magic this should be possible.
Brody Scott
have you heard back sir?
Cameron Hall
Come on, no book recommendations?
Adrian Powell
He has long discussion episodes about all of these topics, some of them with Varn. I'd rather listen to them than short AMA answers.
Could you specify which episodes correlate to which questions/topics?
Aiden Bennett
Also, if you're referring to the episode where Doug and Varn read When Insurrections Die, they talk a bit about Communization and antifa, and then talk a lot about the history of the Russian Revolution, but that anons question seems to be a more general question as to how Doug feels about Leftcommunism and whether he agrees with the general concepts. Other then that, I don't really remember an ep where he talks indepth about Accelerationism or Democratic Centralism.
You are correct. Varn talks about left communism and party form in From Alpha to Omega with Tom O'Brien. I binge listened all Varn stuff so i mixed up the pods. The same thing applies to the accelerationist stuff.
Brody Jenkins
This poster is Doug Lain!
Grayson Thomas
Thank you for the link! I had no clue this existed!
