We will still be active here and elsewhere, but our next newsletter won't be till January 2026! (*Internally panicking about it being 2026 in a little over a month 😰*). If you can join along this Friday, please do! And please enjoy the newsletter! And– oh no the November wind is blowing me awayyy 🌬️🌬️

Thank you for your fascinating and information-packed talk! We excitedly await the publication of your upcoming piece! 🙂‍↕️🫡

We likely don't say this enough, but we are incredibly grateful for those who are a part of our network: whether you are on the discord, read the newsletter, attend our cross-quarter meetings, or pass a half-amused eye over the silly things the steering committee lets me post on here! Thank you all!

After the talk + questions we will be holding an open discussion about activism, how to move forward, and how to remain strong in this horrible political climate. Come for the free knowledge, stay for the solidarity! Hope to see you soon!
xoxo

#antifascism #medieval

Also a big shoutout to @invisiblehistories.bsky.social for their 'Dirt in a Cog' zine, which we have also linked in the newsletter. It's a great summary of ways to resist fascism in the world. Share it with others, donate to them if you can! Go raibh míle maith agaibh!

carantes.org/2025/10/15/o...

Whether you come to Ireland in the future or already call it home, know that you are welcome here and there is support for you. Míle buíochas to United Against Racism Ireland and Le Chéile for organising the march, speakers, and performers!
unitedagainstracismireland.com
lecheilednd.com

*Ur-Fascism Finale*
The similarities between what Eco described and what we see now are far too many to list in this format, but we hope that seeing it all articulated gives you new ways of confronting fascism as it abounds today. Fascism cannot continue to grow unchecked. You are not alone.
(24/)

*Ur-Fascism Conclusion*
Eco describes his feelings after learning how Mussolini had fallen. He warns us that Ur-Fascism is still around us. It may not look and sound exactly how it used to, but: 'Our duty is to uncover it and to point our finger at any of its new instances'.
(23/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 14*
'Ur-Fascism speaks Newspeak.' Fascists seek to deprive the population of rich vocabularies so that they are less able to critically think and talk about what is going on around them. Knowing how to structure arguments is suppressed by fascists.
(22/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 13*
'Ur-Fascism is based upon a selective populism, a qualitative populism…' Individuals per se have no rights under fascism: the Leader directs the People, telling them what their Common Will is. Being 'The People' is performative, it is fiction; they do what they're told.
(21/)

*Ur-Fascism Points 9–12*
The necessary result of the imaginary plot invented by fascists is constant war in which everyone needs to be a hero who faces and brings death. This war can't end under fascism, which requires vilification of 'weak' others. Fascism only survives on hate and violence.
(20/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 12*
'…permanent war and heroism are difficult…, the Ur-Fascist transfers his will to power sexual matters.' Ideal for fascists is violent heteronormativity; deviations like queerness are condemned. Weapons become phallic substitutes for lack of true control over others' sex.
(19/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 11*
'In such a perspective everybody is educated to become a hero.' Being a hero is expected of everyone in fascism. For them, being a hero is tied to death, creating an impatience to die, which usually results in fascists ending lives of others as well.
(18/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 10*
'Elitism is a typical aspect of any reactionary ideology…[which] cruelly implies contempt for the weak.' There can be no higher class without a lower class, and fascists say lower classes must be ruled. Fascist leaders despise their underlings, reinforcing mass elitism.
(17/)

*Ur-Fascism Point 9*
'For Ur-Fascism there is no struggle for life but, rather, life is lived for struggle.' Fascists believe in 'permanent warfare' against their 'enemies'. There can be no peace under fascism as peace is contradictory to this martial struggle.
(16/)

*4 days later edit that may mess up the thread*: I hadn't realised the link I gave was only free because it automatically used my university login! Here is a link to a truly free version of Eco's piece:
theanarchistlibrary.org/library/umbe...

*Ur-Fascism Points 4–8*
Note how fascists can't truly tolerate reasoned critiques. They say you must listen to them as they instil fear of the other into you. They invent a plot, necessarily racist, telling you to fear outsiders, and to fear those already in the country who are 'different'.
(15/)