Mutual aid

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X @Mike Benz
Mike Benz· 2025-09-19 21:20
Extremist Group Activities - Antifa and the extreme left use "mutual aid" to support members with bail, drug paraphernalia, food, lawyers, housing, etc [1] - The level of support offered correlates with the degree of criminal and violent activity [1] - A portion of the funding for these "mutual aid" programs may come from taxpayer funds [1]
How to change society in just a few handshakes | Andrei Lubalin | TEDxPodgorica
TEDx Talks· 2025-06-23 15:45
Core Idea: Social Re-engineering & Decentralized Cooperation - The report introduces a solution called "digital social innovation exodus" aimed at transforming hierarchical social structures into decentralized, mutual aid-based systems [4] - It emphasizes using an engineering approach, focusing on connections and interests, to address social problems without emotional bias [3] - The core innovation is a simple tool (described as an open-source "notebook") to illuminate existing social connections and facilitate cooperation [14][15] Key Principles & Examples of Self-Organization - Voluntary self-organization is crucial, contrasting with forced or hierarchical systems [6] - The report cites historical examples like the Montenegrin tradition of mutual assistance, the Jewish tradition of "avad," and a Chinese mutual aid platform (shut down by the government) as models [5][7][8] - These examples highlight the benefits of mutual assistance, such as increased security and sufficiency [7] Technology's Role & Limitations - Technology should serve existing social processes, not dictate them [9] - The idea that currency alone can bring prosperity is dismissed as ignorance; currency facilitates exchange, but doesn't create the underlying social dynamics [10] - The focus is on using technology to scale the benefits of existing self-organization methods [10] Network Structure & Potential - The system formalizes real relationships in a social graph, extending connections through six degrees of separation [16][17] - Initial participation of 50 friends can rapidly expand the network, potentially reaching 127,000 on the third handshake and 6.38 million on the fourth [18] - A fully connected graph could lead to 50.8 quadrillion potential cooperation connections [19] Functionality & Benefits - The system provides emergency mutual aid, regular support, crowdfunding initiatives, and direct cooperation through AI [21] - Participants can notify the network of needs, and others can voluntarily offer assistance [20] - AI can facilitate connections within the network, matching needs with individuals who have a reputation for helping others [22] Decentralization & Inevitability - The system is designed to be self-regulated and trustless [23] - The report claims a breakthrough law in graph theory suggests that organizing in this way will lead to an autocatalytic and inevitable emergence of a global social environment [24] - Direct cooperation within the network could reduce the need for fiat money, potentially leading to a "point npak" (inversion) where fiat money disappears [24]
Why rest is a right, not a ‘luxury’ | Jotina Buck | TEDxThird Ward
TEDx Talks· 2025-06-19 17:00
Core Argument - The speech advocates for rest as a basic human right, not a luxury, and challenges the societal normalization of exhaustion driven by capitalism, white supremacy, and grind culture [5][6] - It proposes a shift from individual rest practices to a culture of rest through mutual aid, emphasizing community care and collective action [6][18] Proposed Solutions - The speech introduces the concept of "rest mutual aid," including rest gifting (offering rest to others), rest swaps (exchanging rest and restoration), and emergency rest funds [7][8] - It suggests creating rest pods (small groups for accountability in slowing down) and rest circles (larger community gatherings for restorative practices) [9][10] Personal Transformation & Community Impact - The speaker shares a personal experience of burnout and relocation to Mexico to reclaim rest and disconnect worth from productivity [11] - The speech highlights the positive impact of rest retreats and communities on individuals like Lisa, who integrated rest practices and formed rest pods [14][15] Call to Action - The speech encourages listeners to identify those in their lives who need rest and to support them, promoting rest as a shared resource like food or love [17] - It urges listeners to embrace rest mutual aid as a revolutionary act of community care, emphasizing the inherent worthiness of rest [18]