Serial 2, Episode 2: Acting on impulse

This is the second episode of a new serial story (episode one). Help develop the character by filling in the blanks. We will choose from the answers provided.

It’s been four months since your last DSA meeting. The idea of meetings makes you sick. The simplicity of CLODO’s actions appeals to you; no need to call for a vote, watch the latest presidential debate, or participate in meaningless “breakout” sessions with proud canvassers seeking gradual reform. You feel compelled to act in new ways, but where to start? All those DSA nerds will be at the uni student protest, clipboards in hand, begging for signatures to oust the transphobic computer science professor. Sure, I mean, fuck that loser, but what does that change? The last teacher we ran off before him was an asshole, too.

You’ve begun to doubt there’s a “right person for the job” and, instead, question the logic of using more technology to solve problems created by technology in the first place. You struggled through Caught in the Net, though you’re not 100% sure what cybernetics really is. One thing’s for sure, you’re definitely addicted to your phone. Something's gotta give, you think, as you head toward campus.

Without a plan, you assess what around you could be used as a weapon. You feel unprepared with only your iPhone, a half-empty waterbottle, and your car keys. How am I supposed to fight technology with this shit? “Wait, that’s it! If CLODO used fire, then I can use water!” You wander around the university for an hour before you realize you have no idea where you’re going. “Goddammit, why did I think this would be so simple?” Knowing this rage will inevitable subside, you waltz into the nearest building, take a suspicious glance around, and empty the contents of your Nalgene onto the unmanned receptionist’s computer. After admiring your work for two seconds, you realize you need to get the fuck out of there. Luckily your KN95 hid your face from bystanders and security cameras.

Speedwalking away from the building, you’re completely elated and scared shitless at the same time. You’ve never done anything like that before and you’re shocked to have to conceal a smile. It’s not a server room, but it’s a start. Back safely in your room, the adrenaline has worn off, but you can’t sleep. You want to sustain this critical view on the world and let it spider out organically into other areas. You quickly rationalize the use of technology to help you absorb subversive information, so you launch the Tor browser, punch in theanarchistlibrary.org and are immediately paralyzed by the vast choice in texts. You see a “Random” option and decide to let fate take the wheel.

As the page loads, you see the title: _________________ [recommend one of your favorite text from the library or make one up :)].

You also wonder what anarchists are doing when they’re not writing.

To satisfy your curiosity, you open a new tab, type in anarchistnews.org, scroll past the pinned posts and see the first article’s title: _____________[recommend a memorable article or make one up :)].

Something in you changes.