This Old Squat

"If you wish to make a molotov cocktail from scratch, you must first invent the universe" - Carl Sagan, Seattle '99

Anarchists have been known to attempt to sever their dependence on dominant structures. For some this is a massive effort, like a revolution against global capital or insurrection to wear away at industry itself. For others this is more meaningful on the local scale, like cracking a squat or starting a community garden. 

Today let's focus on the smaller end of that spectrum. Let's talk about doing it all ourselves!

Anarchists have been making DIY a facet of anarchy since forever. In 1886, anarchist Louis Lingg famously got so wrapped up in his DIY spirit that he couldn't have bombed Haymarket square. I know Lingg didn't actually say that, but as Emma Goldman once said, "If I can't make shit up, it's not my revolution." More recently, anarchists have channeled all that bomb-throwing energy to making our own medicines, keeping people warm, starting distros, and establishing our own online infrastructure that makes Big Tech shake in its boots.

On the even smaller scale, creating our own homes, gardens, and entertainment are frequent avenues to take back some autonomy and have a more active role in our own lives.  

What do you do yourself? Why?

How do you do it yourself?

Are you the person in the affinity group who keeps trying to get everyone to learn more about permaculture? Or maybe the one who keeps trying to get everyone to move away from signal and onto your self-hosted Delta Chat service?

What DIY projects from others have been inspiring or interesting to you?

Are there things anarchists shouldn't DIY? Or maybe things that you think every anarchist should learn to do themselves?

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Comments

Bjorn Olson (not verified) Tue, 08/12/2025 - 08:36

Growing up in the bush of Alaska living a subsistence life-way first primed my anarchy pump. Later, when I found punk rock and its ethos of DIY, my die was set. Chop wood, haul water to keep the overhead low, the body and mind sharp, to be reminded of the actual cost of things. There are still slaves, exploitation and a wake of environmental degradation in my life, however. Hopefully I at least can identify some of those better and can work to find ways to lessen them. Individual DIY is wonderful for many reasons, but it has it's limitations. I am seeking a voluntary association, a community of DIYers.

anon (not verified) Tue, 08/12/2025 - 09:30

In reply to by Bjorn Olson (not verified)

Then went on supporting Sarah Palin and worship the MAGA KKKult. I get it.

anon (not verified) Tue, 08/12/2025 - 10:19

In reply to by Bjorn Olson (not verified)

My DIY has awakened my self-awareness and self-reliance incredibly, so much so that now I see the myself as a sort of organic genius in the art of autonomy.

2 questions (not verified) Sun, 08/17/2025 - 14:44

1 What became of crimethinc?

2 Why is an ill-considered, class and identity-based socialism dozens of times more popular than a personal transvaluation of all values? do i literally need to join the dsa to make another friend who respects their own power?

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