I’ll try to make this short.

I have been studying Marxism for about a year. Since that time I have been more… reserved? That’s not the right word as I agitate and educate while at work and in public, but refrain from using any “scare words” such as Marxism/Communism, because I am in America and these words tend to turn most people off, though they most often agree with everything I’ve said.

Anyways, I am active in a Socialist organization, or at least I try to be. I work second shift and it is very difficult to change days off as my job is constantly understaffed (though we keep making record profits, go figure). This means I can very rarely attend meetings and regularly organize as 90% of the time I have to work.

This leaves me feeling a little down, as I rarely have anyone to “connect” with. I can’t let off steam about work, critique a commercial or capitalism in general, or get into a deep political discussion about a new topic. Basically I have no friends, lol. I am a friendly person, but I am not interested in going out after work with coworkers to the bar as I don’t drink or smoke.

I like to live a “quiet life”. When I come home from work, I like to play music, read, draw, try and fail to write stories, you know… real artsy fartsy stuff! Why am I complaining here, you ask?

Well after discovering just how bad gamer’s reactionary tendencies truly are (I knew they were bad, but my gosh, I didn’t realize they were as bad as I have discovered). After getting into a… “debate” if you want to call it that on why racism isn’t such a good idea and responding to the sheer amount of gamers arguing that it’s “free speech” or “just a joke”, while I provided information, articles, links all in a friendly, helpful manner. I made 1 “friend” out of it… and then lost them the next day. I guess Lenin scares some people, lol!

I am not quite sure what to do next. I have looked on Steam, the gaming platform I use, for Marxist groups, but most are just mocking Marxism and the few that seem to understand theory appear to be quite dead. It would be nice to have the opportunity to talk to like-minded Marxists about life, music, art, THE IMMORTAL SCIENCE OF MARXISM-LENINISM, etc…, but safely.

TL;DR : Where can Marxists meet/chat safely? Obviously we must be careful about the information we give out, but as isolated as some or most of us are, I feel as though some might benefit from an outlet like this.

  • Muad'DibberA
    5·
    5 years ago

    You’re right, the vast mass of gamers, and especially gaming as a subculture is pretty toxic.

    I know you work second shift, and there are so many that do, that it’s worth asking your org to do every other meeting on the weekend during the day. My org did this to accommodate everyone, and overall the weekend day meetings felt less rushed and more fun.

    And if they don’t, or refuse to, you should find another org. I don’t game that much but a lot of ppl in the org did pick out ones and game and that’s going to be infinitely more fun and give you more a sense of friendship and community than even an online only left community would.

    As far as personal info, I wouldn’t worry about secureness, if these are just ppl you’re gaming online with, just don’t give out personal info. They’ll pry use discord, which is pretty unavoidable nowadays.

    Also i suggest copying and making this whole post over at Reddit /r/socialistgaming. They are probably much more knowledgeable about which specific games have not toxic leftist communities.

    I’ve worked second shift too and I know it can be tough and turn your social life to shit. luck comrade.