- metadata: - source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lc0684V2ej8&t=660s - people: [[James Lindsay]] --- # 2023-04-11 James Lindsay at European Parliament - Woke Conference <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lc0684V2ej8?start=661" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> What does woke attack? De-colonisation of culture ## GPT notes ### SUMMARY: In a compelling presentation, the speaker argues that the phenomenon of "woke" culture is essentially Marxism adapted with American characteristics, drawing parallels to Maoism and other forms of identity-based Marxism. The discussion delves into the origins and evolution of Marxist thought, emphasizing its focus not merely on economics but on controlling the means by which society and individuals construct their identities. The presentation highlights how woke ideology redistributes not only economic but also social and cultural capital, aiming to dismantle perceived hierarchies and achieve equity—a concept likened to socialism. ### IDEAS: 1. Woke ideology is described as an adaptation of Marxism, focusing on redistributing social and cultural capital in addition to economic resources. 2. The speaker draws parallels between woke culture and Maoism, suggesting that woke employs identity politics similarly to how Mao Zedong categorized Chinese citizens during the Cultural Revolution. 3. Critical race theory, queer theory, and post-colonial theory are identified as species within the genus of Marxist thought, each targeting different aspects of societal structure for transformation. 4. The concept of equity is critically examined, revealing its roots in socialist thought and its goal of achieving equality through administrative means. 5. The presentation warns against the potential consequences of embracing woke ideology without understanding its Marxist underpinnings, suggesting it could lead to a loss of freedom and autonomy. 6. Intersectionality is identified as the unifying framework that binds different strains of Marxist thought under the umbrella of wokeism. 7. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding wokeism's Marxist foundations to effectively counter its influence on Western society. 8. The concept of global citizenship is critiqued as a veiled attempt at imposing a form of global governance devoid of individual freedoms. ### QUOTES: 1. "'Woke' is Maoism with American characteristics." 2. "The only difference between equity and socialism is the type of property that they redistribute." 3. "Marx was interested in controlling how man produces himself... Economic production doesn't just produce goods and services; it produces society itself." 4. "Woke as Marxism evolved to take on the west." 5. "Critical race theory calls everything you want to control racist until you control it." ### HABITS: - Engaging in critical analysis of contemporary social movements to understand their philosophical foundations. - Advocating for awareness and education on the historical contexts and ideological roots of current political and cultural debates. ### FACTS: - George Fredrickson's definition of equity highlights its focus on creating equality through administrative action. - Karl Marx's work emphasized the importance of seizing the means of production, which extends beyond economics to include social and cultural aspects. ### REFERENCES: 1. "Capital" by Karl Marx - A foundational text for understanding Marxist economic theory. 2. "Whiteness as Property" by Cheryl Harris - An article that explores the concept of racial privilege as a form of private property. ### RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Foster a deeper understanding of ideological movements by examining their historical and philosophical origins. 2. Encourage open dialogue and debate about the implications of adopting ideologies like woke within society.