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Title: An Insurrection Against Destiny
Author: Anonymous
Date: Autumn 2019
Language: en
Topics: despair, revolt, insurrectionary, Fawda, Brussels, The Local Kids, The Local Kids #5
Source: Translated for The Local Kids, Issue 5
Notes: First appeared as Insurrection contre le destin in Fawda (feuille de critique anarchiste, Bruxelles), Issue 1, Summer 2017

Anonymous

An Insurrection Against Destiny

“Imagine a number of men in chains, all under sentence of death, some of

whom are each day butchered within sight of the others; those remaining

see their own condition in that of their fellows, and looking at each

other with grief and despair await their turn. This is an image of the

human condition.” - Blaise Pascal

Someone said that the main sad passion in which this time is soaked is

this generalised feeling of impotence, faced with the ever more evident

end of any noble idea, with the disappearance of any extraordinary

horizon, with the hindering of any bold act. In the face of the daily

massacres and devastations – of the external world, as of the internal

universe – nothing seems worth attempting. Everything appears vain,

mortified in the reproduction of an eternal present. After, long time

ago, hitting the iceberg, this titanic society only has to sink. Useless

to make a fuss; or... ?

An interesting question to pose oneself. What can those do who don’t

cultivate any illusions on the possibility of a social change during

this period of time that separates us from the fatal destiny of humanity

(which will be relieved of an infinite number of persons that only lived

because they were born – like some hoped a century ago with the Great

War)? Some say we have to dedicate ourselves to hedonism, to seek out

material pleasures capable of providing us the intensity of life – even

if only for a flash. In the absence of reaching the climax of communism

one day (“to every one according to their needs and their desires”),

ephemeral sensuality emerges as the last line of defence of what is

still human. Others say we have to dedicate ourselves to cataloguing and

learning survival techniques – to make fire with two sticks, to be able

to recognise and grow edible and medicinal plants. In the absence of

reaching the climax of anarchy one day (“my freedom that extends

infinitely through the freedom of others”), historical intelligence will

be the last line of defence of what is still human. We have to learn to

use weapons, according to yet others, to strike those responsible of the

imminent apocalypse because they deserve neither to be forgotten nor

forgiven. In the absence of reaching the climax of revolution one day

(“the destruction of all oppressive structures and the eradicating of

all authority”), ruthless vengeance will be the last line of defence of

what is still human.

Of course not everyone agrees to take note of the sorry fate of the

world. The state’s servants don’t; they proceed to massive injections of

unbridled optimism to fight anxiety and overcome depression. “The

devastation of the environment will be defeated by new technologies.

Inequality will disappear with the generalisation of communication and

interactive technologies in the workspace as in daily life.” Academics –

faithful cultivators of power – demand information for all, a connection

for all by calling for the accessibility of data for all (even if they

don’t flatly deny the new intellectual and perceptive illiteracy

produced by the virtual world). Scientists – condemning humanity to the

sorry fate we’re witnessing – paint new paradises in glowing colours

where hunger will disappear from the face of earth thanks to genetic

manipulation and where industrial pollution will be eradicated by new

inventions, biofuel, solar panels, synthetic materials fabricated in

laboratories. And many opponents also don’t want to take note of the

fate to which power has condemned this world. They spice up their hope

with gestures of goodwill, humanitarian activities, while bowing to the

orders of power that views their opposition as a good way to avoid that

one would break ranks and that the lid would blow off.

“When we act, we should certainly not be guided by the despair of our

convictions” said a philosopher who openly asserted the necessity of

joining theoretical despair with practical resolve. Lucidity concerning

humanity should not lead to a deadlock or to resignation, but should be

the propulsion for action. Let’s dare to base our action on the revolt

against fate, to continue dreaming with our eyes wide open, to stay

ready for adventures, to keep an enthusiastic look by examining the

possibilities to quicken the sinking of this titanic society. Because

nothing is ever finished, no destiny is invincible, nothing disappears

forever and everything can fall apart today.

That bold action, individual conviction and the dream of a world

rejecting its own destiny will be our compass in the storms that

approach.