Same. I managed to stay off of social media, and I was the prime age for it at every turn. MySpace came around when I was in middle school/early high school. Facebook was opened up to everyone in late high school. Instagram came around when I was in college—and when I was traveling. I’m so glad I was that super annoying kid calling everything a conspiracy to steal my likeness/steal my data…who knew my need to be a contrarian as an anarchist teen would be so helpful?
I mean…I also grew up into an anarchist adult. So I just got lucky that I found the right books and music to push me in that direction young.
A lot of crimethinc., Emma Goldman, and adbusters in high school (adbusters isn’t a book, but it was still deep in my repertoire). From there, Hannah arendt, Chomsky, etc. in late high school/college. I also listened to a lot of anti-flag, against me!, propagandhi, strike anywhere…all of my media was very anarchist/anti govt/anti capitalist. I stood no chance lol.
And as someone who was young enough to feel angry (and justifiably so…bush/Cheney and the patriot act were all happening. I had plenty reason to be wary of spying), admittedly I was following these things and knew what was happening, but I was still just a contrarian at heart, I could yell and argue with my parents friends, but I probably sounded like an ass. I didn’t fully know how to hold these beliefs. They were more knee jerk reactions fueled by hormones and an insane set of circumstances in the world. A lot of my embarrassing memories that come to me randomly when I’m trying to fall asleep have to do with being up in arms about something I wasn’t really qualified to speak on lol
Same. I managed to stay off of social media, and I was the prime age for it at every turn. MySpace came around when I was in middle school/early high school. Facebook was opened up to everyone in late high school. Instagram came around when I was in college—and when I was traveling. I’m so glad I was that super annoying kid calling everything a conspiracy to steal my likeness/steal my data…who knew my need to be a contrarian as an anarchist teen would be so helpful?
I mean…I also grew up into an anarchist adult. So I just got lucky that I found the right books and music to push me in that direction young.
What books did you read?
A lot of crimethinc., Emma Goldman, and adbusters in high school (adbusters isn’t a book, but it was still deep in my repertoire). From there, Hannah arendt, Chomsky, etc. in late high school/college. I also listened to a lot of anti-flag, against me!, propagandhi, strike anywhere…all of my media was very anarchist/anti govt/anti capitalist. I stood no chance lol.
And as someone who was young enough to feel angry (and justifiably so…bush/Cheney and the patriot act were all happening. I had plenty reason to be wary of spying), admittedly I was following these things and knew what was happening, but I was still just a contrarian at heart, I could yell and argue with my parents friends, but I probably sounded like an ass. I didn’t fully know how to hold these beliefs. They were more knee jerk reactions fueled by hormones and an insane set of circumstances in the world. A lot of my embarrassing memories that come to me randomly when I’m trying to fall asleep have to do with being up in arms about something I wasn’t really qualified to speak on lol
I’m sure I was more annoying than I was inspiring