Nihilism Today Conference @ The Anarchist Bookfair 22/10/2005

[Herbert Read]

Does Herbert Read know that Nilhilism in the Russian way was more of an ethos rather than any solid political movement? And what evolved and came out of the Nihilism soup if you will was of political use, one example being the emergence of Populism/Narodism and roughly it's two stages of action. First the failed goal of trying to bring radical education and agitation to the poor population, the second following along the lines of terrorism and violence. Either Herbert Read is taking the piss, very badly, or is naive as to his/her poilitcal beliefs. Or a mixture of both. It is difficult to tell.

taking the piss you cunt

 

[Herbert Read]

Wasn't being sensitive.

Just that with the Thora asking me about my comment to about herbet's professional experience in self-harm treatment, I replied.

You made a comment about self harming with me and i made a humouress comment back, once again you over reacted and mede your self look like a pompous dick.

 

[Herbert Read]

Because as a survivor of self-harming I think he is a fraud.

why am i a fraud im sure the many different people i have worked with would probably see it differently.

 

[charlie mowbray]

Were you aware that the original Russian nihilists favoured blue-tinted John Lennon-style specs. Next time I see Herb, I expect him to be sporting'em!

 

[Pickman's model]

Were you aware that the original Russian nihilists favoured blue-tinted John Lennon-style specs. Next time I see Herb, I expect him to be sporting'em!

bit of a give-away in nineteenth century russia, surely?

i can see it now -

okhrana agent one: how do we spot these devilishly clever nihilists?

okhrana agent two: there is one fatal flaw in their disguises - their decadent specs.

 

[charlie mowbray]

If you actually read anything about the Nihilists you'll know that was true and that as the moderately open period ended, so did their garb. One nihilist spotted another on a train "Every inch the nihilist" and realised that they had to change their appearance as repression started coming in

 

[charlie mowbray]

"Many of our young women have thought fit to cut their hair short, put on blue spectacles, and call themselves Nihilists"
Dostoyevsky, The Idiot.

 

[charlie mowbray]

"In the 19th century Russia, the Nihilists, who believed in nothing but revolutionary Socialism, were the radical students of the day. The men wore their hair very long, and the women cut their hair very short. Blue spectacles were often worn as a kind of badge. Everything about their appearance and conduct was calculated to be offensive and to show their contempt for and indifference to Christian faith and morality. The intellectuals of the day were very much in sympathy with these students."
some crap neocon internet site.

 

[Ryazan]

There were the posers and the revolutionaries. There is a difference. The nihilist ethos gave way to serious poltical action. Without blue spectacles.

 

[charlie mowbray]

No, there is no difference. Many, if not most of the people who affected such dress went on to Narodnikism. It was not a pose, but a political-cultural statement of opposition.

 

[Ryazan]

Of course, but what I was meaning, that many undoubtedly used the Nihilist dress and communal living in a superficial sense. others developed their beliefs into real poltical action. I am sure you get the hangers on in any poltical movement.

 

[audiotech]

Of course, but what I was meaning, that many undoubtedly used the Nihilist dress and communal living in a superficial sense. others developed their beliefs into real poltical action. I am sure you get the hangers on in any poltical movement.

Been in any political movement yourself?

 

[Ryazan]

No, but my mother was/is a communist.

Are you still learning about General Ludd?

 

[audiotech]

No, but my mother was/is a communist.

Are you still learning about General Ludd?

...and his Army of Redressers? Yes, continuing to research the subject matter. Moved onto Chartism. In between music technology.

*The above links are standard fare for the subjects. Dorothy Thompson's book on The Chartists is worth a read.

 

[Ryazan]

Cheers, will do.

 

[Random]

Apparently herbert Read lived up to the promises in the OP by throwing a whitey and being carried out before the evening had barely begun.

We say: Well done Herb!!11!

 

[rednblack]

Apparently herbert Read lived up to the promises in the OP by throwing a whitey and being carried out before the evening had barely begun.

We say: Well done Herb!!11!

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Apparently herbert Read lived up to the promises in the OP by throwing a whitey and being carried out before the evening had barely begun.

We say: Well done Herb!!11!

no way really?


thats brilliant

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Somebody wrote

''so excited about nihilism'' on the toilet wall, thats for sure.

This year however, enough other silliness happened to not ket this piece of graffiti become the main talking point.

 

[Thora_v1]

''so excited about nihilism'' on the toilet wall, thats for sure.

This year however, enough other silliness happened to not ket this piece of graffiti become the main talking point.

In the pub or at the venue?

 

[Taxamo Welf]

pub

 

[Taxamo Welf]

Thorazine

did u meet herb then - and did he pass out drunk like said?

 

[Thora_v1]

did u meet herb then - and did he pass out drunk like said?

Herb's a good friend of mine young Tax. As for passing out - methinks this is an urban myth, he was very much conscious when I last saw him.

 

[Herbert Read]

Apparently herbert Read lived up to the promises in the OP by throwing a whitey and being carried out before the evening had barely begun.

We say: Well done Herb!!11!

This is a lie as on saturday night i was tucked up in bed with a hangover reading my copies of insurrection magazine after binging on booze on the friday and going on a shop lifting spree, Thora can testify to this.

 

[Herbert Read]

''so excited about nihilism'' on the toilet wall, thats for sure.

This year however, enough other silliness happened to not ket this piece of graffiti become the main talking point.

it was either me or one of the other northern nihilists, this can also be found on walls from leeds to marrakech

 

[Thora_v1]

This is a lie as on saturday night i was tucked up in bed with a hangover reading my copies of insurrection magazine after binging on booze on the friday and going on a shop lifting spree, Thora can testify to this.

Indeed - you and dirtycrustie tucked up in bed like a nihilist Morecambe and Wise

 

[rednblack]

pub

yeah that was blacksambellamy

 

[Thora_v1]

yeah that was blacksambellamy

Grass!

 

[Taxamo Welf]

This is a lie as on saturday night i was tucked up in bed with a hangover reading my copies of insurrection magazine after binging on booze on the friday and going on a shop lifting spree, Thora can testify to this.

in court?

 

[Thora_v1]

in court?

If necessary.