tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25892266.post3466951121052178174..comments2024-01-28T01:53:28.605-08:00Comments on hyperborea: The Political Function of the Uprisingutopia or busthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09330052275507966278noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25892266.post-79009719188347591712008-02-18T17:52:00.000-08:002008-02-18T17:52:00.000-08:00Perhaps we could say that the political function o...Perhaps we could say that the political function of the uprising is to question the preclusion of democratic process -- albeit in a violent (thus dubiously democratic) way. In a time where laws are not passed democratically and a national or corporate ideology holds sway, an uprising is a chance to balk at the hypocrisy of it all. Even if there is no official statement associated with a particular uprising, the message is that the rioting constituents can and do recognize that there is something wrong. As such, it should be welcomed with open arms; It is a fine alternative to the political complaisance that we saw so often.<BR/>On the other hand, it is only a temporary victory.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25892266.post-54587927495847888692008-02-18T04:02:00.000-08:002008-02-18T04:02:00.000-08:00Nice post. As much as we can speak of an uprising ...Nice post. As much as we can speak of an uprising having a "function" -- that is, looking for a possible "intent" or at least rationale or internal logic of an uprising -- I would suggest that it is an assertion of subjectivity. Looking back upon recent events like the squadcar-flip of the Dead Prez show, I'm reminded of the concept of the "Temporary Autonomous Zone". This links to Hakim Bey's short chapter on uprisings: http://www.hermetic.com/bey/taz3.html#labelWaiting<BR/>Briefly, uprisings can be positive in nature; They are the "forbidden moment", writing graffiti onto the pages of history. Conversely (or additionally), as a negate-ive phenomenon, the uprising to me represents what John Zerzan pointed out as "Elements of Refusal". In this formulation, the function of an uprising is to destroy/cast-aside social detritus. The positive and negative functions are not necessarily antithetical. As Bakunin's motto went, "Destruction is also a creative act."<BR/>Have you read the Situationist writings on the Watts Riots of the late 60s?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com