Skip Navigation
Jump
Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • I was hoping you could give an example on how to link those two ideas without going on a rabbit hole on anarchist theory. If you don't have one that's fine.

    1
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • I'm not sure if I agree with you about the bullies, but lets put that aside for now. I really like your reply. Can you further elaborate on linking hierarchy with the common notion of coercion?

    1
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • So hierarchies as social structures that affect relationships, where there is a power imbalance between entities that allows for constant coercion? I'd say that's a pretty solid definition for a casual conversation. Do you think it is possible to popularize such definitions, or do you think this is not the problem we're facing as a community, but rather the other confusions you pointed out?

    2
  • Jump
    All the other brands went along
  • Or assuming that since the whole industry decided to move on to it, they moved on from the old cables. A hub would also be a great idea, unfortunately hubs don't exist.

    1
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • All you said is valid, none of it answers my question. Except for maybe "It is tricky [...]", but that's not much help on it's own. Yes, it is tricky, do you think it is possible? If so, why and how? What would be a good standard definition?

    2
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • And that's a good answer, but I argue it is to the detriment of the definition that this needs to be answered. Maybe there is a better way to define hierarchy, or a simple definition for "systems of domination or institutions of subordination" that could be given along side that already answers that.

    1
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • I think this is a good start, but still too little rigid. This definition still requires one to define Systems of Domination or institutions of subordination. The examples are a big help, but it is still unclear what falls under those categories.

    Do unions fall under those "institutions of subordination"? As an example of ambiguity under this definition.

    1
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • Never read that article. I'll give it a study and come back.

    However right out of the bat I see "anarchists" being used as a blanket term and mentions such as Bakunin, which makes me feel like although useful, this is not the best answer for the problem I am (or at least trying) to mention. Read My other commentary for more context.

    2
  • Jump
    Can we define "hierarchy"?
  • I hate most of Chomsky's views, but he is so prominent its hard not to mention him.

    I agree, we don't need unified definitions, but if we can at least have a couple standard ones we can refer to, I believe that would make communication and organization easier. An example of what I'm talking is the definition of property: There are a couple of standard ones that are of easy access, and when talking about property its always easy to explain if you mean "private property of the means of production" or "personal property" or "real property as the mainstream economics definition" and even if the person who you're talking to has not read a lot of theory (or at all), they can probably grasp those concepts with a quick google search. Compare that to "hierarchy", which is a term that is thrown around all the time, many times with quasi-conflicting meaning and understanding the definitions is a rabbit whole of research reading different authors. Could we not just summarize the most important aspects for the main (i.e. most relevant) definitions for easy digestion, just like what happened with the word property?

    2
  • TL;DR: Is it possible to define hierarchy, as a useful term for communication and association between anarchists? If so, what are some of those definitions?

    There are many different strains of anarchism, and specially since anarchists mostly believe in decentralization, I feel like many of our efforts go diluted for lack of collective organization. Sure, there are big anarchist collectives doing work out there, but I have the sensation that most youth or influential people who identify themselves with anarchist causes get lost in the plot simply for lack of a bigger movement. For most of the modes of anarchism there is one big bad evil guy, commonly named "hierarchy"; although writers and academics define those terms in their publications, I can't help but notice, at least in the forums I've been around, your average anarchists could be talking about two completely different concepts of hierarchy or oppression. Maybe if we had agreed upon definitions to those hot topics it would be easier to associate. Is that even possible? That we all agree on the same meaning for a word? Do we call Chomsky to solve this linguistical issue?

    Or am I completely wrong in my questionings?

    21
    Jump
    All the other brands went along
  • I miss having a thousand different cables to keep track of /s

    really, all we need is the companies to start packing those laptops with thunderbolt3 or equivalent USB-C (USB 4). I love the old ports, but they were unnecessary. I'd rather the industry finally takes on the open thunderbolt standard and we're all good to go. With 10 thunderbolt ports you have 10 HDMI, or 10 USB, or 10 Ethernet, or 10 headphone jacks, or 10 RJ45 or whatever you need + PCIe tunneling.

    30