Black Lodges $10 / month

Black Lodges explores leftist perspectives on an array of subjects including social and economic injustice, human rights, political ideologies, and cultural criticism. Through discussions on capitalism, democracy, individuality, and morality, it challenges existing power structures and advocates for societal change and intellectual engagement.

Social and Economic Injustice Human Rights Political Ideologies Cultural Criticism Capitalism and Democracy Individuality and Morality Societal Change

The hottest Substack posts of Black Lodges

And their main takeaways

On the Question of Why?

58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Morality Anger Progress Liberation
  1. Questioning the reasons behind rebellion and the need for change in society.
  2. Exploring the connection between morality, anger, and the desire for a better life.
  3. Highlighting how anger can be channeled into a force for progress and liberation.

History, Pedagogy & Revolution

39 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
💾 History Revolution Ideologies Political strategy Social movements Philosophy
  1. Understand historical figures like Lenin and Gramsci not for hero worship but for their ideas and methodology.
  2. The disenfranchisement growth in the past decade is related to the decay of the capitalistic system, leading to challenges and disingenuous influences.
  3. The debate continues on whether to follow a Gramsci approach of cultural hegemony or a Lenin approach of violent overthrow for societal change.
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Naji al-Ali, Handala & Palestine

78 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Palestine Revolution Journalism Symbolism
  1. Cartoons and related arts play a significant role in public protests by conveying messages quickly and clearly.
  2. Naji Al-Ali's cartoons were powerful political messages addressing the suffering of Palestinian people and criticizing Arab regimes.
  3. Al-Ali's life experiences, from being a refugee to facing censorship, greatly influenced his work and commitment to the Palestinian cause.

Violence

19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Violence Capitalism Hegemony Genocide
  1. Reject barbarism by focusing on mutual aid networks and refusal of labor.
  2. Violence may be necessary to establish democratic control over labor and profits.
  3. Consider the use of violence in response to capitalist resistance to genuine organization efforts.

A History of Violence

58 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Oppression
  1. The ruling classes use manufactured consent to justify violence for profit.
  2. People are demanding action against oppressive systems, despite government opposition.
  3. Governments and media are quickly suppressing dissent and support for causes they oppose.

On The Outlaw Archetype

58 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Archetypes Literature Identity
  1. Revisit ideas and books often as things change over time.
  2. Distinguish between being an outlaw and a criminal, as highlighted by Hunter S. Thompson.
  3. There is a call for a new invention of outlaw behavior and ideas in a time where refusal and resistance are important.

Freedom

19 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Freedom Human nature Liberation Reality
  1. Freedom is important and requires a deeper understanding beyond what we are taught in the West.
  2. Question the indoctrination about capitalism and the free market that we have grown up with.
  3. Explore the historical context of freedom from the bourgeois revolutions to Marx's work on the subject.

2024

19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Revolution Capitalism Palestine
  1. The writer expresses urgency for action towards total revolution.
  2. There is a strong rejection of soft cultural approaches and a call to oppose capitalist powers.
  3. The writer emphasizes the importance of sharing and supporting the publication.

Us vs. Them

58 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economic Labor Social Government Philosophy
  1. An Australian property developer made controversial statements about the working class and employers.
  2. Capitalism is based on exploitation and is inherent in economic relationships.
  3. The need for change to the core of capitalism to alleviate exploitation and unethical practices.

Morals and Morality

39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Palestine Media influence
  1. Morality and morals evolve and are applicable to those in power.
  2. Information is biased and media shapes mass opinions through various mechanisms.
  3. Resources are available to navigate personal morality and beliefs.

Money, Power, and Status

39 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Democracy
  1. Politics often revolves around money, power, and status, rather than truth and justice
  2. Government lies can undermine democratic functions by deceiving the people
  3. Democracy may be manipulated by leaders to maintain control and oppress others

The Violent Rules Based Order

39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Theory Capitalism Violence Power Propaganda
  1. The concept of bourgeois legality as a facade for ruling class violence is crucial to understanding power dynamics in the 21st century West.
  2. In the face of government crackdowns, it is essential to move beyond illusions of freedom and work towards a strategic response.
  3. Recognizing the true power structures and oppressive nature of the capitalist class is key to offering a meaningful future by acting accordingly.

Optimism of Will

39 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
📖 Philosophy Marxism Optimism Hegemony Intellectuals
  1. Life continues despite weariness and struggles.
  2. Antonio Gramsci's concept of 'optimism of the will' advocates for resilience and belief in change.
  3. Cultural and ideological struggle, collective action, and intellectual engagement are key for societal transformation.

Food, Politics and Social Media

78 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🍲 Food & Drink Food Politics Social media Tourism Ethics
  1. Access to food can be affected by political decisions like resource distribution and infrastructure availability.
  2. Government agricultural policies can impact food production and distribution.
  3. Political decisions on labor laws and working conditions in the food industry can impact food quality and availability.

No Need For Profit

58 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Innovation
  1. The internet was originally intended for decentralized communication and information exchange, not profit.
  2. Questioning the belief that a profit-driven economic model guarantees progress and innovation.
  3. Greed is not a definitive trait of human nature, and alternative motivators for innovation exist beyond profit, such as public good and intrinsic motivation.

The Transgender Question

58 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture LGBTQ+ Philosophy Social Issues
  1. There is no genuine discussion needed about the transgender question.
  2. Trans rights are human rights and individuals deserve respect and dignity.
  3. Debates around transgender issues often serve as distractions from deeper societal issues.

Fall in Love, Not in Line

39 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Love Marxism Materialism Revolution
  1. Love is a powerful emotion that keeps people bonded and committed to each other.
  2. Marxist theory can be applied to analyze how love drives humans to impact their environment and themselves.
  3. Love, as viewed through a Marxist lens, validates real individuality and is inherent to human relations.

Horseshoe This!

39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Ideology Theory Centrism Extremism Authoritarianism
  1. The Horseshoe Theory compares far-left and far-right political extremes, suggesting they are closer together than to the moderate center.
  2. The Radical Center rejects traditional left-right divides, focusing on pragmatic policymaking influenced by corporate interests and market-based solutions.
  3. The Horseshoe Theory oversimplifies complex political ideologies, fails to consider fundamental differences between left and right, and misrepresents political reality.

Marx & Money

39 implied HN points • 29 Mar 23
🚌 Education Philosophy History Finance
  1. Money buys you freedom in the world we live in.
  2. Collective lifetimes can be spent debating Marxist concepts around money.
  3. The newsletter has changed to one free post a week and two for paid subscribers.

Dialectical Materialism

0 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy History Capitalism Liberation
  1. History and our place in the world do not follow a linear, binary direction.
  2. Understanding dialectical materialism can help make sense of the world and history.
  3. Dialectical materialism is important for determining actions towards liberation.

The Capitalist Response

0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Conflict International Organizations Humanitarian Aid Genocide Capitalism
  1. Living conditions deteriorate gradually, and we adapt instead of escaping, akin to the boiling frog syndrome.
  2. The ICJ ruling and UNRWA funding cuts reflect the capitalist ruling class's response to challenges.
  3. Ending capitalism and achieving a total revolution is necessary to stop the violence and oppression perpetuated by the capitalist hegemony.

Philosophy of Praxis

0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ideology Hegemony Intellectuals
  1. The post discusses Gramsci's concepts of Ideology, Hegemony, and Organic Intellectuals.
  2. Gramsci's work is considered foundational for understanding power and challenging existing power structures.
  3. The content emphasizes the practical application of intellectual theories to create change.

Violence. Part 2

0 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Colonialism Decolonization
  1. The colonial history of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde unfolds against European imperial ambitions and the impact of colonialism on the inhabitants.
  2. Amílcar Cabral played a central role in the liberation of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde from colonial rule in the 1970s.
  3. Cabral emphasized the importance of tangible material improvements for the people in the fight against colonialism and for independence.

Philosophy of Praxis

0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Pedagogy History Marxism Education
  1. History can be a powerful tool of transformation when taught differently.
  2. The linear approach to history often serves the interests of those in power.
  3. Exploring works like Paulo Freire's 'Pedagogy of the Oppressed' and Gramsci's concepts can provide insights for liberation.