I’ve read the Communist Manifesto and found myself agreeing with the ideas presented. However, I’m left wondering: what’s the real point of studying Marxism-Leninism more deeply? It feels like the principles are clear, and it’s unlikely that a deeper understanding of them will lead to significant change.
It seems to me that content creators, like those from podcasts like Deprogram, have a more direct influence on people’s perspectives today. So, I’m curious, why should we invest time in studying these ideologies when there are more immediate ways to engage with and affect the world? What benefits can understanding Marxism-Leninism actually provide in today’s context?
Pop science is also full of bullshit though. If you don’t have at least some solid grounding in the scientific method and science basics, you won’t be able to tell if the pop science you read is bullshit or real.
Similarly, and even worse because of the sheer quantity of intentional misdirection in the political realm, if you don’t have some baseline grounding in theory, a working understanding of historical materialism perhaps, then you will not have the mental tools to evaluate the pop politics and decide if they are right or full of shit. It isn’t something that’s common sense or easily reasoned from first principles
As communists, we should aspire to go beyond just trusting prominent figures, whether they’re influencers, politicians, publications, whatever, and improve our faculties and awareness and understanding of the world