<nettime> A.I. Lenin: What is to be Done Today, by ChatGPT and Dmytri Kleiner

[Dmytri Kleiner <dk@telekommunisten.net>]

A.I. Lenin

What is to be Done Today, by GPT and Dmytri Kleiner

In the early 20th century, Lenin recognized the importance of an 
all-Russian newspaper as a means of building the capacities and 
capabilities necessary for a revolutionary movement to overthrow 
capitalism. Similarly, a digital agency can help build the capacities 
and capabilities necessary for a revolutionary movement to overthrow 
capitalism in the modern world. As Lenin wrote in "What Is To Be Done?": 
"Without a newspaper, it is impossible to unite, to direct, to arouse, 
and to organize the masses" (Lenin, 1902, p. 28). For Lenin, it was not 
the newspaper as such that was important, but the organization capable 
of publishing it. In this sense, a digital agency is not an end in 
itself, but a means of building the abilities necessary for a 
revolutionary movement to coordinate and communicate with supporters, as 
well as carry out propaganda and agitation efforts.

One key capacity that a digital agency can help build is the ability to 
disseminate information and propaganda effectively. Social media 
platforms and other modern technologies have become major channels for 
the distribution of information and ideas, and a digital agency can help 
a revolutionary movement leverage these channels to reach a wide 
audience and spread its message. In the past, Leninist organizations 
used underground newspapers and smuggled literature to disseminate their 
message, often at great risk to their own safety. Today, a digital 
agency can help a revolutionary movement use modern technologies to 
reach a wider audience and spread its message more effectively. As Lenin 
wrote in "The Tasks of the Russian Social Democrats": "The spread of 
revolutionary ideas among the masses depends above all on the degree of 
their own organization" (Lenin, 1898, p. 42). And as he wrote in 
"Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder": "The party must have its 
own press, its own organization, and its own set of tactics" (Lenin, 
1920, p. 22).

Another key capacity that a digital agency can help build is the ability 
to mobilize and organize supporters. In the past, Leninist organizations 
relied on secret meetings and underground networks, known as 
konspiratsiya, to coordinate their activities. Today, social media and 
other modern technologies can provide similar capabilities, allowing a 
revolutionary movement to quickly and effectively organize and mobilize 
supporters. For example, a Leninist organization might use a closed 
social media group or a secure messaging app to organize meetings, 
distribute propaganda, and coordinate actions. As Lenin wrote in "One 
Step Forward, Two Steps Back": "Only konspiratsiya can ensure the 
freedom and independence of the Party" (Lenin, 1904, p. 80).

Konspiratsiya refers to the practice of maintaining secrecy and keeping 
activities hidden from the authorities in order to avoid detection and 
repression. In the past, Leninist organizations used a variety of 
tactics to maintain secrecy and avoid detection, such as using code 
words and symbols, holding meetings in secret locations, and using fake 
names. In the context of a digital agency, this might involve using 
aliases and pseudonyms, as well as secure communication methods and 
infrastructure, to protect against surveillance and to maintain secrecy. 
As Lenin wrote in "Left-Wing Communism: An Infantile Disorder": "The 
party must have its own press, its own organization, and its own set of 
tactics" (Lenin, 1920, p. 22).

A digital agency can also help build the capacity for a revolutionary 
movement to engage in digital activism and direct action. This might 
involve creating and distributing memes and other digital content that 
can go viral and spread the movement's message, or using hacking and 
other digital tactics to disrupt the operations of capitalist 
institutions. In the past, Leninist organizations used a variety of 
tactics to engage in direct action, such as strikes, boycotts, and 
sabotage, as well as organizing demonstrations and protests. In the 
context of a digital agency, these tactics might be adapted for the 
digital realm, such as organizing online boycotts or launching cyber 
attacks against capitalist institutions.

Another key capacity that a digital agency can help build is the ability 
to defend against digital threats and attacks. This might involve 
developing and implementing security measures to protect against cyber 
threats, such as hackers and malware, as well as implementing measures 
to protect against surveillance and monitoring by the authorities. In 
the past, Leninist organizations often faced repression and persecution 
from the state, and they had to develop tactics and strategies to defend 
against these threats. In the context of a digital agency, this might 
involve using encryption and other secure communication methods, as well 
as developing contingency plans and backup systems to ensure the 
continued operation of the agency in the face of digital threats.

A digital agency can also help build the capacity for a revolutionary 
movement to work with other progressive forces, including those that are 
not necessarily communist. In the past, Leninist organizations often had 
to work with liberals and intellectuals who were not necessarily 
communist in order to achieve common goals and build broader movements. 
In the context of a digital agency, this might involve working with 
other progressive groups and organizations to build coalitions and 
campaigns that can amplify the impact of a revolutionary movement. Lenin 
argued that it was important for communist parties to work with other 
progressive forces, as he wrote in "A Talk with Defenders of Economism": 
"We are in favor of the working-class movement being as broad as 
possible, and we stand for the broadest possible unity of the workers" 
(Lenin, 1899, p. 33).

A digital agency can also help build the capacity for a revolutionary 
movement to engage in propaganda and agitation efforts. In the past, 
Leninist organizations used a variety of tactics to carry out propaganda 
and agitation efforts, such as distributing literature and flyers, 
organizing public meetings and lectures, and creating and distributing 
posters and other visual materials. In the context of a digital agency, 
these tactics might be adapted for the digital realm, such as creating 
and distributing digital content and materials, as well as using social 
media and other platforms to reach a wider audience and spread the 
movement's message. Lenin argued that it was important for communist 
parties to engage in propaganda and agitation efforts, as he wrote in 
"What Is To Be Done?": "Without propaganda, no movement; without 
agitation, no struggle" (Lenin, 1902, p. 43).

Finally, a digital agency can help build the capacity for a 
revolutionary movement to run for elections and participate in the 
political process. In the past, Leninist organizations often ran 
candidates for office and participated in elections, even in the face of 
persecution and repression from the authorities. In the context of a 
digital agency, this might involve supporting candidates and campaigns, 
as well as using social media and other platforms to reach voters and 
engage in political organizing. Lenin argued that it was important for 
communist parties to participate in elections and to use them as a 
platform to propagate their ideas, as he wrote in "Left-Wing Communism: 
An Infantile Disorder": "Parliamentary activity is an important form of 
the class struggle" (Lenin, 1920, p. 35).

A digital agency can help build the capacities and capabilities 
necessary for a revolutionary movement to coordinate, communicate, and 
organize in the struggle against capitalism. By leveraging modern 
technologies and building on the lessons of Lenin and other 
revolutionary leaders, a digital agency can play a vital role in 
building a successful struggle against capitalism.


--
Dmytri Kleiner
@dmytri
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