Conspirituality Podcast Summary: "Brief: Antifascist Woodshed 3: The Kids are Alright"

Release Date: April 5, 2025

Hosts: Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, Julian Walker
Episode Title: Brief: Antifascist Woodshed 3: The Kids are Alright

Introduction

In the third installment of the "Antifascist Woodshed" series, titled "The Kids are Alright," hosts Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker delve into the complex intersections of parenting, education, and anti-fascist activism. This episode navigates through contemporary challenges faced by parents striving to raise antifascist youth amidst rising authoritarianism and societal upheaval.

Anti-Fascist Parenting and Education

The Use of Children in Political Narratives

Derek Beres opens the discussion by emphasizing his long-standing interest in how children are manipulated as political pawns. He introduces two archetypes prevalent in right-wing parenting narratives:

• Object of Dread: Includes figures like the "late-term abortion fetus," "mole children of QAnon," and "vaccine-injured autistic kids."

• Idol of Aspiration: Encompasses the "free birth newborns," "little girls in prairie dresses," and "misdiagnosed Indigo Children" who are purported to communicate with the spirit world.

Beres argues that these archetypes are fabricated projections of adult anxieties and hopes rather than reflections of genuine children's experiences. He stresses the importance of recognizing children as complex individuals deserving of genuine support rather than being molded into political symbols.

Derek’s Upcoming Book

Beres mentions his forthcoming book, Antifascist: 12 Conversations to Have with Young People in Tough Times, set to release next spring. The book aims to fill the gap in resources available for parents concerned about the rise of fascism, advocating for homeschooling as a viable alternative to mainstream education. He highlights the necessity of addressing existential threats like climate change and authoritarianism directly with youth, rather than defaulting to maintaining the status quo.

Analysis of Netflix’s "Adolescence" Series

Depiction of Schools and Youth

The podcast critically examines Netflix’s series Adolescence, focusing on its portrayal of secondary schools as chaotic and dysfunctional. Beres cites a scene where characters express frustration with their educational environment:

[10:24] Di Bascom: "Do you know what? I honestly, I just, I can't stand this fucking place."

[10:27] Frank: "We're only here because you wanted to come, mate."

Through such dialogues, the series paints a picture of schools characterized by disorganization, lack of discipline, and overwhelming violence. Beres critiques this portrayal as overly simplistic and ideologically driven, arguing that it perpetuates conservative narratives advocating for increased surveillance and punitive measures in education.

Contradictory Messages

Beres observes that Adolescence attempts to balance two conflicting viewpoints:

1. Schools are too lenient: Suggesting educators have lost control, leading to societal decay.
2. Schools are battlegrounds of violence: Implies an urgent need for intervention to restore order.

He contends that this duality ignores the nuanced realities of educational institutions, which vary widely based on funding, resources, and community support. The series, according to Beres, fails to engage deeply with the children's inner lives, focusing instead on adult anxieties projected onto the youth.

Gareth Southgate's Speech and Role Models

Content and Critique

A significant portion of the episode scrutinizes a speech by Gareth Southgate, England’s renowned football manager. Southgate addresses the decline of real-world communities and mentorship, lamenting that young men are turning to "unhealthy alternatives like gaming, gambling, and pornography" due to a lack of direction.

Beres critiques Southgate’s conflation of these activities, arguing that:

• Gaming: Often provides valuable skills such as strategic thinking, collaboration, and creativity. Beres cites his own children's positive experiences with gaming, which foster critical thinking and problem-solving.

• Gambling and Pornography: These are indeed problematic but require nuanced solutions like enhanced regulation and comprehensive education rather than blanket condemnations.

He further highlights Southgate’s oversimplified attribution of societal issues to individual behaviors, neglecting the underlying structural problems like austerity measures and insufficient social support systems.

Political Implications

Beres connects Southgate's speech to broader political actions, specifically the UK government's planned cuts to social services like the Personal Independence Payment (PIP). He argues that these austerity measures exacerbate the very issues Southgate claims to address, thereby undermining efforts to foster an antifascist society.

The Role of Gaming in Anti-Fascism

Gaming as a Tool for Agency

Beres passionately defends gaming, illustrating how it cultivates agency—the ability to make intentional decisions towards achieving goals. He references philosopher Thi Nguyen's Games Agency as Art, which posits that gaming serves as a medium for practicing survival, creativity, and resilience.

Examples of Anti-Fascist Games

The episode highlights several video games that inherently promote antifascist values:

• Wolfenstein Series: Players combat Nazi forces in alternate histories.
• Watchdogs Legion: Players join an antifa group fighting against a futuristic police state.
• Final Fantasy VII Remake: Involves battling a corporation exploiting ecological resources.
• Jedi Survivor: Centers on resisting a fascist empire through spiritual quests.

Beres emphasizes that gaming can democratize agency, offering a diverse population the opportunity to engage in complex social and ethical dilemmas, far surpassing the restrictive avenues provided by traditional sports or activities.

Critique of Jonathan Haidt's Views on Social Media

Haidt’s Arguments

Beres critiques Jonathan Haidt’s perspective that mobile phones and social media are the root causes of rising mental health issues among youth. Haidt links increased social media use to spikes in anxiety and depression, advocating for reduced screen time and better digital literacy.

Counterarguments

Beres counters by pointing out that Haidt's analysis overlooks broader existential threats like climate change and political instability, which have a more profound impact on youth mental health. He argues that:

• Online spaces can provide valuable support and information, especially for marginalized groups.
• Haidt's focus on social media detracts from addressing systemic issues that contribute to youth anxiety.

Beres underscores that while social media has its pitfalls, it also serves as a lifeline for many, offering anonymity, community, and access to vital resources.

Historical Example: Sophie Scholl

Sophie Scholl’s Legacy

To illustrate effective antifascist role modeling, Beres recounts the story of Sophie Scholl, a member of the White Rose resistance against Nazi Germany. He highlights how her father, a progressive public servant, encouraged open political discourse and critical thinking, traits that fostered Sophie's moral courage.

Intergenerational Solidarity

Beres uses Sophie Scholl’s example to advocate for nurturing intergenerational solidarity. He emphasizes the importance of fostering moral courage and intellectual clarity in youth, enabling them to resist authoritarianism and advocate for social justice.

Notable Quote:

[00:49] Derek Beres: "Thoughts are free, who can guess them? They fly by like nocturnal shadows."

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

In wrapping up the episode, Beres underscores the necessity of moving beyond superficial solutions focused on individual behaviors. He advocates for addressing systemic injustices to cultivate a genuinely antifascist society. The episode concludes with a preview of Part Two, which will explore historical antifascist role models and delve deeper into effective strategies for supporting youth against fascism.

Key Takeaways:

• Critical Examination of Media: The podcast encourages listeners to critically assess how media representations, like those in Adolescence, influence societal perceptions of youth and education.

• Advocacy for Gaming: Gaming is positioned as a constructive tool for developing agency and antifascist values among youth.

• Structural Solutions Over Individual Blame: Emphasizing the need to address systemic issues rather than attributing societal problems to individual behaviors or technologies.

• Historical Inspiration: Drawing lessons from historical figures like Sophie Scholl to inspire current antifascist activism and parenting.

Notable Quotes:

• Derek Beres [10:24]: "No, it just fucking stink."
• Gareth Southgate [15:30]: "As real world communities and mentorship declines, young men end up withdrawing."
• Keir Starmer [22:41]: "This is a very, very good documentary to watch or drama."

For more insights into combating conspirituality and fostering antifascist values, subscribe to the Conspirituality Podcast on Instagram and Threads, and support the discussion through their Patreon.