fortmis

fortmis wrote (edited )

Music theory can be suffocating but I've heard too much "soul" touching music made by musicians that engage in a complex relationship with music theory to say that music theory as a whole desensitizes people.

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fortmis wrote

Idk, i really like this piece and generally find it to be insightful and way more sensitive and intelligent than the crimethinc piece BUT i also think its author chose to willfully misunderstand stuff from the original article. The AB media piece would be much stronger if they cut out the low blows (referencing articles from your own website is not inherently problematic) and the weird Ukraine stuff.

I think this is their strongest point:

While it would be easy to dismiss this as the Outlet cautiously mitigating any potential liability if self-immolation generalizes, the rejection of the framework of martyrdom demands attention. The question is not whether Aaron qualifies as a shahid within the Palestinian context, although demonstrators in Yemen have proclaimed Aaron a “martyr of humanity” and an argument can be made for him having become an anarchist martyr in the lineage of Louis Lingg, Avalon, and Mikhail Vasilievich Zhlobitsky. The bigger issue: the Outlet’s assertion that an individual’s death, particularly in the context of the US, is the “worst of all possible certainties” reveals a deep disconnect with the context of this entire decolonial struggle. In the days following October 7th, anti-colonial anarchist thinkers such as Zoé Samudzi argued that the figure of the martyr marked a fundamental contradiction for the secular left’s ability to fully comprehend and act in solidarity with the Palestinian resistance. The martyrs constitute a force in the present for all who live and continue to struggle. Aaron framed his self-immolation as “not that extreme” compared to the ascension to martyrdom of tens of thousands in Gaza. By implying that Aaron’s choice was too extreme, the Outlet dishonors the reality of the struggle within Palestine and undercuts the potential of Aaron’s sacrifice.

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fortmis OP wrote

went looking for the anti-trans stuff and found this:

“At its worst, the woke cult of transgenders is a cross between voyeurism and morbidity, a fascination with the sexually bizarre, a politically correct version of snuff pornography. It’s at the “intersectionality” of the lassitudinous culture of the Hamptons and the depraved sexual ennui of Hollywood.” ― Norman G. Finkelstein, I'll Burn That Bridge When I Get To It!: Heretical Thoughts on Identity Politics, Cancel Culture, and Academic Freedom

... which is a disturbing quote for sure.

As for right of return, he talks about it in such a way in the interview that implies he might have shifted his perspective even further. here he is talking specifically about right of return. sure it's a little sketchy to talk about "shifting demographics" -- it smells like conservative paranoia, but i think accusing him of that would be too selective. it would be unreasonable to assume the mass return of palestinians to their land would happen without serious ripple effects.

Before all of that, he first gained prominence for his book The Holocaust Industry, which a Jewish anti-Zionist reviewed & extended here.

that review is interesting but i don't find that it degrades finkelstein's reputation or anything.

many people's introduction to sharp, consistent criticism of U.S. foreign policy & its particularities, like unyielding support for Israel. Once you're familiar with the topic though, you could do much better.

I super agree honestly. I think he does a great job as being someone who debates zionists and provides some solid groundwork for people new to the topic. like i said i didn't find him to be groundbreaking but i still think he serves an important role, and sometimes, even when you're entrenched in a topic, it's nice to hear people talk "big picture."

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