Add new comment

Tough tough. Capitalism makes it tough, you need money for everything, even for stupid crap that's useless and good for no one, like "independent journalism" which is just snitching at demos via live-streams and twitter.
Why do I mention this, if this is not an anarchist project? To avoid pointing fingers at anarchist media projects, easy way out.
Even bare lives without projects nor anarchy require cash to subsist in this economy, at least a minimal amount from time to time.
Specially those living in clandestinity that cannot needlessly expose themselves for risk of getting caught, need lots of support of others earning money through legit means or at least fronting or laundering money from other illicit means.

"What might it mean for someone to make a living off of Anarchy, meager or otherwise?"

Does that imply selling anarchy as a product (or the theme, flavor or branding of a different product) or anarchy as a way of life?
If "direct actions gets the goods" you are living off of anarchy(?). D.I.Y. and whatnot. Tbt: https://anarchistnews.org/content/totw-making-money and https://raddle.me/f/Illegalism

Is there an anarchist sense of pride that forbids busking and begging as undignified? How is the street performer or beggar with hat for coins different from the online performers with cashapps or whatever?

"How does one judge the worth of a project in a society that already entirely equates worth with money?"

Not just of a project, but of each person and how much they can contribute, whether in monetary terms or their usefulness. Basing your own self-worth or the worth of others based on their ability work (the quality and quantity of said work) seems like an un-anarchist mistake but how could we ever imagine it not factoring in? People are judged (and misjudged, over and under estimated) and valued consciously and unconsciously for each of their traits and qualities.

Divagations aside, I think if you want something to be done, and money helps get it done, you put money to it, no doubt. Not expecting any perks in return other than the satisfaction of seeing the thing you like to see get done. You are vicariously participating via your cash! But if you're short on cash, you shouldn't be giving money to an anarchist project that is doing nothing you want, out of a sense of duty. I'd be hard pressed to give money to someone I don't know and wasn't close with in real life. On the other hand, if you're rich, sure spread the cash among the different projects and people, better spent than on some superfluous item like an extra pairs of fancy shoes. Have all anarchists be your sugar babies if you can afford it.

These thoughts are incomplete, I think sometimes money or no money, the most visible and discussed projects are overplayed. A better funded food not bombs, or news site (glorified retweets or blog)? What would you do if you had A LOT money? Would there be underground tunnels laced with explosives under every major city? Would you fund your own covid vaccine factory and distribution for free? An anarchist hospital? Would you fund a delivery service for anarchists? Would you fund a Tomorrowland or Burning Man style festival yearly? Would you buy acres of land and reforest them? I think since anarchists are mostly always broke, and against the grain to boot, they're not used to imagining actually being able to do big things and projects (might even be for the best sometimes). I've never been one to fantasize what I'd do if I won the lottery, other than go "yay, subsistence security". Just wondering all over the place, couldn't get my thoughts organized.