About the South Asian Anarchist Library
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E-mail:
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Introduction
The South Asian Anarchist Library was started as a means of propagating anarchist thought to the countries of South Asia and bringing about an anarchist revolution in our subcontinent. Leftism in the subcontinent is dominated by State Socialist tendencies due to the USSR's propagation of ML thought, and as a result, anarchists and libertarian socialists find it hard to meet and work with people of the same ideals. To solve this issue, we believe a strong foundation for current anarchist organisers and an accessible resource for new learners are necessary in order to carve out our own spaces. We hope this library will be able to provide these services.
Benefits of the Library
The library allows for users to easily download texts in various formats such as PDFs, plain text, HTML, EPUB, and XeLaTeX. It does so by processing the text and then converting them to the formats. Because of this, users can easily print and distribute texts (we actively encourage people to do so).
Along with that the bookbuilder allows people to easily create their own zines with the library catalogue. Since the library creates its own PDFs and such, we do not encourage people to upload PDFs. Instead it needs to be typed in-simply go to Add a new text and add your text. Make sure to follow the markup manual!
Localising to Our Needs
We accept texts in English, but only if the author is South Asian or the text discusses South Asian issues. This means no Kropotkin, Malatesta and Graeber unless their work has been translated into a local language. We don't wish to rehash what already exists in the English Library.
After English, we accept any language from the subcontinent (given that we have a librarian capable of understanding the language of the text). Due to the near-infinite number of languages in the subcontinent, we expect there to be many cases where we do not have a librarian capable of understanding the language. In those cases, we will recommend that you join us! To do so, contact us on matrix.
Currently, the UI is being translated into Bengali and Gujarati. We hope to add as many languages as possible. To do this, we need your help. Please check out the wiki on how to translate the UI into your language: amusewiki.org/library/translating-the-interface. If you have a question, ask us in the matrix chat!
Our Stance on AI
AI is an affront to humanity. Please refrain from publishing AI-produced texts. We will not allow any text produced using AI. Man-made works, no matter how imperfect, are beautiful and should be cherished.
Why We Allow Non-Anarchist Texts
Ideally, we would solely allow anarchist texts in the library, but as anarchist thought is not yet deeply developed in our subcontinent, we have decided to include certain non-anarchist texts as well. However, that doesn't mean any and all texts—especially those proposing capitalistic, reactionary or nationalist ideas—are allowed. Instead, texts which are not anarchist but hold in them valuable analysis of our societies are welcomed. In doing so, we might accept texts from people who hold beliefs different to us—not because we agree with their conclusions, but because aspects of their argumentation hold true and are valuable to anarchists. Their conclusions, however, are not endorsed.
This decision will be revised after a year. If by then, significant locally-produced texts are published, non-anarchist texts will stop being allowed in here.