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Showing posts with the label Marxism

Total Propaganda by Helen Razer

Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Introduction  Helen Razer’s Total Propaganda: Basic Marxist Brainwashing for the Angry and the Young offers a provocative and impassioned introduction to Marxist ideology, laced with wit and unapologetic critique of capitalism’s shortcomings. Published in 2017, the book aims to distill Karl Marx’s complex ideas into a digestible and relatable format for modern readers—particularly those navigating the uncertainties of the gig economy and millennial disillusionment. Razer’s approach blends humor, cultural references, and political commentary to create a guide that is as engaging as it is intellectually stimulating. This review inquires into the thematic essence of the book, evaluates its strengths and weaknesses, and examines its contemporary relevance. Thematic Analysis  1. The Revival of Marxist Thought  Razer opens by situating Marxism within the br...

How to Take an Exam...& Remake the World by Bertell Ollman

Exams? They are the chain that binds students to their desks and to the status quo, the treadmill that prepares them for the still bigger rat race to come, the gun at the head that threatens to go off should they try to move away, and, maybe worst of ail, the drug that so befogs students' minds that they take this mad scene for normal. Introduction  How to Take an Exam...& Remake the World by Bertell Ollman is not just a book about passing exams; it is a thought-provoking and revolutionary critique of the education system, capitalism, and the ways in which individuals can challenge these structures. Written by a professor who is also an activist, this book aims to transform the way readers approach both academic life and their roles in society. Ollman argues that the skills one needs to excel in exams are surprisingly similar to the intellectual tools required to change the world. This connection forms the foundation for his broader discussion on social change, the influence of...