How do we get more people educated on socialism without reading?

[u/Minitrewdat]

I read theory a lot. People close to me do not, despite them sharing my (socialist) ideals and agreeing with me on most topics.

I promote others reading socialist theory whenever possible, but it seems generally infeasible that many would read socialist theory due to either preconceived notions on socialism (propaganda/USSR) or a lack of willingness to read generally.

For example, my girlfriend and I get into large political discussions. I tell her the basics of Marxist theory, history of socialism and the efforts against it, and hopefully help inform her. She's grateful and despite me checking, seems to genuinely want to learn more. However, the few times I have suggested she read some beginner socialist theory (Stuff like Einstein's "Why Socialism?"), she says that she prefers my retellings of what I've learnt/read.

Personally, I'd prefer she make her own interpretations but she seems unwilling to read. I must say that she has a form of mild dyslexia so this example is a bit weak. How do I, or we, better promote socialist education if many do not want to read?

I was thinking something along the lines of a retelling, or modernised version, of popular socialist theory pieces. E.g. Engel's "Socialism: Utopian and Scientific" but done with more reference to modern events and usage of more modern terminology. I'd still prefer if everybody read the original works, but it seems harder and harder to get people to read.

TLDR: Many people do not want to read. How do we efficiently educate these people? Update theory?

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[u/melefofon]

Use the Socratic technique. Ask questions that lead to discussions about the theories you want her to learn.

[u/11SomeGuy17]

There is only so much you can do to educate someone who doesn't wish to read themselves. There are podcasts, audiobooks, YouTube videos, etc on a lot so those are valuable but really only audio books are a comparable replacement. If they aren't willing to do that then they really don't actually care to learn about it and that's fine. What's more important than everyone being theoretically perfect is to be class conscious and supportive of the global movement. If they can achieve that then that's a win in my book. This situation is partially why Vanguardism is a thing in ML circles. Not everyone cares to learn Marxism deeply and that's ok, as long as they're on board with the project then that's what really counts. It can help to read with them. Make it a cooperative activity. Read a chapter a day together and discuss it. If they truly want to learn but struggle to do so independently having a person alongside helps a ton.

[u/Aktor → u/11SomeGuy17]

A lot of people only know a capitalist world and have only ever heard leftist rhetoric as something to be scorned.

I think we need to do a better job of showing up in our communities and engaging in praxis and organizing. Then people will see what the theory means.

Imagine if we emulated The Black Panthers in their food programs, education, and child care. It would be life changing for many families and better communicate the need for revolution in our society.

[u/Deathtrip]

I think it’s in your best interest to try and graft a communist analysis to something that they are concerned about and make the logical connections that follow from that starting point. Ultimately if you feel like you’re banging your head against a wall, recognize that you have limited energy everyday to try and convince people of this, so choose your audience well. Is it worth it to try and spend all your time convincing your (potentially) white settler conservative Christian jingoistic family members that their whole life has been propaganda? There are lots of people out there willing to actually put energy to building a better world, and I think your time and energy is best spent trying to educate people who haven’t been fully indoctrinated into capitalist ideology.

[u/Aktor]

We have to meet people where they are, and you’re right a lot of folks are not reading.

I’d say work with the folks that you know to do good community building work in your town/neighborhood and as folks get curious about why you’re engaging in praxis (not the words they’ll use) be ready with answers.

[u/RezFoo]

We have found the Second Thought videos to be good for this. Each one is short enough to keep attention, and the style of presentation is a lot like Rachel Maddow's way of starting with historical events. He doesn't hit you over the head with the math behind the Labor Theory of Value, for example.

The first time I showed my wife several videos of people singing The Internationale all over the world, in different languages, she was strongly moved.

[u/Precisodeumnicknovo → u/RezFoo]

Can you show it to me?

[u/RezFoo → u/Precisodeumnicknovo]

Second Thought is here.

The Internationale in multiple languages is here. It was put together by the languages department at Tsinghua University. If you are not familiar with the lyrics, this video shows the "Billy Bragg" version in English. Here is a very large crowd in Havana singing it in Spanish. Here is a version in both French, like a lullaby, and Mandarin, pop style, in front of a huge crowd. And possibly my favorite, a nine year old girl singing it in Mandarin while accompanying herself on the guitar.

[u/Quaysan]

Show by example.

The biggest criticism of socialism is that "it never works" "it always fails"

If there were serious infrastructure/capital dedicated to socialism showing some form of success, people would be on board. We need more socialist businesses and institutions, run in line with socialist values, in the same way people look at trump owning millions of dollars and deciding he's good enough to run for president.

A lot of people are willing to join already successful ventures rather than believe in ideas.

[u/4th_dimensi0n]

Idk about you guys but I've had plenty of success explaining it to people. But I think its incredibly important to explain the basics of the Marxist perspective of what capitalism is before going into explaining socialism. Because most don't understand what capitalism is either. And having the ability to better contrast the 2 systems helps put it all into perspective

[u/[deleted]]

I don't believe that in any society, at least one in the near future, most people will ever be "educated socialists." There will never be a world where, on their own time, large swathes of the population go out of their way to read socialist theory regularly. You have to be able to communicate these ideas to the masses yourself. No other political movement in human history has required its supporters to be scholars of political theory. There is no reason that socialism has to be different.

I would suggest online content. This is how the vast majority of people are introduced to socialist ideas these days.

[u/Routine-Benny]

Theory is a "turn-off" for most people. We need to point to the national problems that bother them and show how they result from the capitalist profit motive.

[u/atoolred]

Not every comrade will be a master at theory; not everyone in a society is fully conscious of the way their society operates (perhaps it’d be better if they all did, but that is idealistic)

Rather than attempting to get the average person to read theory, suggesting YouTube vids or watching them together is a great way to get them to understand the concepts enough to support the cause. As another person mentioned, Second Thought is great for beginners. Perhaps find some documentaries or shows on MeansTV. If they enjoy podcasts hook em up with Rev Left Radio (they also have episodes on understanding theory)

To take it a step further, if you’re organizing or doing direction action of some kind, invite them to join and show them what solidarity looks like

[u/newgoliath]

As a very busy dad, I rely on Red Menace podcast, and a host of audiobooks.

[u/Sin_nombre__]

Try and get them involved in trade unions or tennants/community unions. Coming into direct conflict with another class is great education. 

[u/AndroidOn20FPS]

Alright guys, mind giving me a few recommendations for YouTube videos and podcasts for educating the "newbies"?