Anarchism as a political philosophy values voluntary action. A person should be able to organize their life without being coerced or forced by anybody, especially the government. I've pointed to a number of examples where in our everyday lives we organize ourselves without being forced. One example we talked about in class is the Pan Tram bus -- people generally gather at the bus stops and orderly board the bus without being coerced. There are many other possible examples.
Think about your own life. Describe an example of anarchism in everyday life. When do you organize yourself without being coerced or forced?
Although we did discuss the above situation and described it as being an act of Anarchism, we also discussed how it would be an act of Natural Society, which conflicts with Anarchism. I only mention that because it too will interfere with my example. So Shepherdstown is awesome and won't allow a stoplight at the four-way in town. (we all know which one I am talking about.) Instead of just pulling out whenever, I wait until the people who stopped before me get a chance to go, before I go. This is a voluntary action being produced by me. I arrived at a stop, after 3 other cars. Therefore, I will let those 3 cars go before I try to.
ReplyDeleteKevin, although I do agree with there needing to be a traffic light, I am not sure if I agree with stopping at a stop sign as being a voluntary action. I look at it as more of a "required act". Stopping at a stop sign is obeying traffic laws which are put in place to protect us. If we don't stop, there could possibly be catastrophic consequences.
DeleteI believe Kevin is not referring to the actual act of stopping at a stop sign but rather the dynamic of what happens when you arrive at a 4 way stop and have to deal with multiple cars. You can either be the person who just wants to rush right through regardless of other vehicles or you can be like Kevin is describing and be someone who waits there turn and that in itself is a voluntary act. Sarah Kirk 100.02
DeleteIs waiting "your turn" a volunteer act? The law behind a four-way stop is "first come, first go." The first car to stop at the stop sign gets to go first, then, from there, the person to the right of the first person gets to go, and so on until everyone in the square is gone.
DeleteSarah, yea I was describing the dynamic of the actions and how they take place. i.e. I voluntarily wait, however, I too can see where Lori is coming from with her comment, so I went ahead and added a more 'black and white' response in any event.
DeleteHagerty 100.02
DeleteI agree with Kevin to an extent, because while that is the law and the "rules of the road" you can easily choose to not follow them like most people. Have you ever been passed by someone on a solid yellow line? Or seen someone fly up the turn lane to jump in front of others at the stop lights? Or people who speed, run red lights, and basically violate any traffic laws possible? I have road rage sometimes, and I know I can be that guy that everyone hates but its my choice to drive like an idiot if I want to just as it is anyone else's choice to do the same.
DeleteFrederick Filberg 100.02
DeleteI think Kevins example is interesting, but I don't believe that it is an example of anarchy. Kevin "voluntarily" waits at a 4- way stop before the first three cars proceed, and then he moves ahead. That isn't necessarily voluntary because at a stop sign intersection, it's first come, first go. Kevin is adhering to street laws, which means that it's not a voluntary action. If Kevin didn't wait, there could be ramifications.
I made a mistake. my signature should actually be:
DeleteFrederick Filberg 100.03
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ReplyDeleteA big example in my personal life would be when I packed up all my belongings, left my family behind and moved from MS to WV. Yes, I was scared, nervous and apprehensive, as I was leaving the only State I had ever known. But , no one forced me to move, no one told me "move to WV or else" and no government official came to my house with guns drawn, dragging me out of my house kicking and screaming to ship me up here. My decision was strictly my own and entirely voluntary. I have to say that I have enjoyed everyday of living in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia (except for the winters, I hate them). I also have to add that I did move my daughter up here with me and yes, she was forced, she wasn't given an option lol.
ReplyDeleteGood point. Not so in the military where they tell us where, when, and how long. Yes, I agree, cold winter suck!!!
DeleteOne small example of organized anarchy in my everyday life is that every single day I make it a point to take an hour out of my day and devote it to my physical health. So, everyday I drag my butt to the gym and workout. Yes, some days I'm exhausted or sick but it's still something I do solely for my own benefit. No one asks, tells or suggests I go workout. It's a decision I make for myself.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree!! I'm the same way! And it is a great decision with even better benefits!
DeleteThis is true, perhaps I would go with playing Xbox routinely
ReplyDeleteI would say small everyday acts that I do simply because I want to are reading, writing, or listening to music. I read and write whatever I want to. No tells me what I have to write in a journal or which books I read in my spare time. I can listen to whatever music I feel like listening to.
ReplyDeleteSomething I do without being forced to do it is saying please and thank you. I was raised to be polite. No one has to force me to say these words. It is honestly a sad sight when I see children, teenagers or anyone really who don't say please to someone or thank you to them. It is something that no one should be forced to do and yet so many do not do it. All from how you are raised is what makes it voluntary or involuntary. Sarah Kirk 100.02
ReplyDeleteSarah, I could not agree more!!
DeleteKiana Miller PSCI 100.02
DeleteSarah, I couldn't agree more about how saying please and thank you has become a natural habit without having someone leaning over our shoulder constantly reminding us, also about how it is disturbing to see others not use these worlds.
But at one point this could have not been categorized as an act of anarchism... like you said you were raised to be polite, therefore at one point in time this was not a volunteering thing that happened out of habit. We were once, maybe even multiple times, told and reminded by a high authority to say please and thank you. Constantly over our shoulders reminding us as little kids to be polite that growing up over the year it grew on us and become a habit.
I have read all of the posts on here so far and I think socialy some of them do not fit the bill. In my opinion of course, they are examples of things that we have been taught (dictated to do since we were born). I may be looking at things wrong, so there is that. As far as myself. My form of being a part of "anarchy" would be the band that I am in. There is no clear leader, what we play, where we play, and how we play is based upon concenus of the members not one person. Furthermore, each member is free to leave anytime they choose to. There is no contract binding them to stay or play any certain way or venue. When there are disagreements, which there are, we work it out as a whole and move on. Each member has their "peice" that they add to the whole picture. Opporating in this manor has it's ups and downs but it has helped us climb on the local and regional level. It has created a mutual respect and understanding throughout the band which is shown when we perform.
ReplyDeleteNot that it was intended, but I have to jump on my soapbox. I think that forms of anarchy are a great thing for us and any growing society. I love when people stand for the things that they believe in. It is a shame, however, that folks need to jump in and disfigure the point that they are trying to make. i.e. the recent events in Fergusen. The core group had a reasonable point (right or wrong) that they wanted to express and be heard on. What happened was lotting and a whole lot of outsiders disrupting them and their point of views which in turn made the group as a whole, look bad. Just sayin'
ReplyDeleteOne form of anarchy that occurs in my everyday life would include going to class on time. Sounds basic enough, but no one is forcing me to come to class and it is my responsibility to show up. I'd like to believe it is my own decision to show up and take notes and there is no higher power above my head forcing me to participate. So from that stand point, i am voluntarily going to class without the "push" of a higher power. Michel Wallace
ReplyDeleteTechnically the school would be forcing you to attend class because if you don't they will eventually kick you out of the establishment. So yes it is your choice to come or not but they persuade you to go for fear of expulsion.
DeleteYes but it as also your choice to me to college in the first place. You paid to attend the school why wouldn't you want to go to class. no one forced you to come here. it was all free will
DeleteI consider doing this as a form of anarchy. By that I mean your not forcing us to do this. The only reason we are doing this is for the grade but even that is of our own free will and personal choice to get a good grade.
ReplyDeleteI believe going to college in general is a form of anarchy. Nobody is forcing us to enroll into college. It is our decision to go on to college to get a degree and eventually get a job with that degree. (Christopher Hosby PSCI 100.02)
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. i wrote something kinda like this to. I don't know about you nut no one is paying my way here at school I'm here out of state paying out of pocket to get the education I want to better my future.
DeleteI consider waking up ever morning and doing my daily routine of showering going to d-hall and then off to my 8:10 class a form anarchy no one makes me I choose to make that schedule for my self and it works most days. (Stephanie Hennessee PSCI 100)
ReplyDeleteI consider getting up every morning, getting ready for class, and commuting to and from Shepherd is just a thing to me. I do it because I want to not because someone is forcing me. As per what we talked about in class, yes you have heard all of your years of high school... "your going to college" "you have to go to college" I do not consider that forcing you, they are just trying to better your future. Think about it, what kind of job can you get with just a high school diploma? (Brandy Scott PSCI 100)
ReplyDeleteI consider getting ready a form of anarchism. I choose to do my hair, makeup, and other "morning activities" such as showering and brushing my teeth. No one tells me I have to do those things before I'm allowed to leave my house, I choose to. (Hannah Mansell, PSCI 100)
ReplyDeleteThis is stupid
DeleteI deal with instances of this in my daily life. One example is standing in line at the DMV and then taking a seat until my number is called. I don't really want to do it, but I know I have to to get what I need.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of everyday Anarchy I think of my lawn. When the lawn is high enough to rub my Corgi's belly, not because I have to, but because I know I should. For looks, for the dog, to prevent critters from hiding in the grass. I also think of cleaning my bedroom. I do it to make it look nice for others not because my mom tells me to, I don't wait that long.
ReplyDeleteA form of anarchism in daily life would be any instance where it is my choice whether I want to do something. If I want to have breakfast for lunch or stay up until three am. It's my choice how I control my life and what I do to make myself happy. (Leandra Rosencrance PSCI 100.02)
ReplyDeleteI would say a form of anarchism in daily life would be when I go over the speed limit in certain areas. The sign that tells me I need to go 55 miles per hour is merely just a sign put up by a worker who is being paid to do so. What if I go 65 miles per hour? Unless there is a cop, who is going to stop me from speeding? If I use my common sense, I'll be just as safe as the person going 55 miles per hour.
ReplyDeleteSince entering this course it seems as if we have been describing anarchism as being someone or a group of people operating in a progressive, orderly manner without being told to do so, or forced. In that case, would me brushing my teeth every morning fall under anarchism. How about me giving someone CPR when I see they are not breathing because I know how to do so even though I am not a Doctor, RN or a MT? If so, I guess we commit anarchism almost every day. But those same acts I commit voluntarily has consequences if I was not to do so like gum disease, buildup of plaque or a person dying because they didn’t receive CPR. With that being said, yea there is laws in place that say if we do a certain thing there will be consequences, but we’re still free to do those things we just have to be prepared with what comes in return. Please help me understand because I’m not completely sure. In addition, my form or anarchism is when I see someone about to enter the a door behind me I will hold it open for them.
ReplyDelete- (Da’shawn Long PSCI 100.03)
A way of anarchism in my everyday life is getting up in the morning and getting ready for the day. I also go to the gym and workout so I can be healthy. I see this as anarchism because I do it out of my own free will
ReplyDelete(Seth Brooks PSCI 100:3
One form of anarchism in my daily life is being messy. I choose to keep my work space disheveled. I only pick up after myself, if I fall over something or I cannot find an item.- (Callie Long PSCI 100:3)
ReplyDeleteA form of anarchism I experience almost daily is in the Dinning hall. Everyday when I go to eat I patiently wait in line behind a group of people ahead of me without being forced to. I could easily just push through and jump in front of someone, however I choose to work with the people around me and just wait.
ReplyDeleteA form of anarchism that I experience every day when I attend my classes is the choice to do the assigned homework or to spend my time doing other activites. I choose to do my assignments, therefore I am choosing to succeed in the class rather than fail.
ReplyDelete(Alexandra Witt PSCI 100:3)
I would say that college itself is very anarchist (compared to high school), we as students may come and go as we please, we are not obliged to any uniform, class attendance, or really behavior standards. Now in the upper levels of our education we are being trained to think and speak our minds more freely in the classroom and around in campus activities, which I think applies to a lot of the anarchist's philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that college is anarchist in a way because nobody makes us go or pay for the privilege of attending college. The lessons that we learn do have an anarchist message in them too.
DeleteI feel like With choosing to go to classes I am making anarchist decisions as no one is making me do this. I decide whether I want to go or not, nobody else tells me i have too. Also another thing done on my own is things like deciding to bath and brush my teeth everyday. I decide to do those things on my own. (Dustin Wilt PSCI 100:3)
ReplyDeleteA form of anarchism in my day to day is being a die hard Baltimore Orioles fan. I watch the games on tv and a few times a season in person. I have signed up for notifications to be sent to me via text messages and search their stats and watch game recaps daily. I have even helped my girlfriend find her new found love for the Birds because of being a fan myself. No one has ever forced me to be a fan and if I decide one day to betray my O's and become a Yankees fan then I'm free to do so. That day will never come but I'm not being forced to stay devoted to one team. Also in the same way, I am a Baltimore Ravens fan and Shepherd Rams fan. All by choice never by force. I also have a distinct amount loathing for certain rival teams and practice civil disobedience in the form of bad mouthing and undermining social media posts and news articles with comments about these rival teams. My Ravenation!!! Let's Go O's!!!!
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