The website has reached two important milestones. It has now exceeded 120,000 hits for the first time, and its platforms host over 1,600 articles. These figures matter not as vanity metrics, but because they point to a more politically significant trend: a growing audience for a Marxist perspective amid global crises. This growth is deliberate, driven by a desire for clear historical understanding, rigorous theory, and analysis free from mainstream cynicism.
Since my last Diary of a Nobody, I have added two new pages:
one for Philip Roth and another for The Philippines. A third page,
Non-Capitalist Formations, is coming soon. These changes aim to better
delineate the website's intellectual landscape and provide readers with clearer
pathways through the archive, rather than leaving them to navigate a confusing
maze.
The book projects have reached their first decisive stage: a
complete draft. The next step is to shape them into a full book. I have no
illusions about mainstream publishing. The industry is increasingly hostile to
serious political writing unless it is packaged as memoir, lifestyle
commentary, or pseudo‑radicalism for middle‑class consumption. I will therefore
explore self‑publishing, not as a consolation prize but as a way to produce a
book without editorial interference, ideological sanitisation, or the dead hand
of commercial caution.
I am also working on updating 700 articles from 2008 onward,
a long-overdue task. The earliest articles only need minor tweaks, as they were
written with remarkable clarity. In contrast, many others require complete
rewrites to include new historiographical insights and will be added to the
thematic pages. This work is mainly about maintaining intellectual coherence
rather than nostalgia. A nearly twenty-year collection of work must remain
unified. Whether the website will be redesigned is still undecided; presently,
content takes priority over visual Aesthetics.
One disappointing side effect of this increased effort has
been a noticeable decrease in reading books and articles. The irony isn't lost
on me: the more I write, the less I read. Nevertheless, I have still managed to
pick up and complete several new titles, each influencing my thinking in unique
ways.
- Touching
from a Distance — Deborah Curtis
- The
Breaking of the English Working Class (Salvage Editions) — Jonas
Patrick Marvin
- I
Give You My Silence — Mario Vargas Llosa (trans. Adrian Nathan West)
- These
Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales —
Brian Groom
- Boy
from the North Country — Sam Sussman
These books serve as a counterbalance to the website’s
growth, reminding us that intellectual life cannot thrive on output alone.
Reading is the essential oxygen for writing, even when time seems to be against
it.
As the archive expands, readership increases, and projects
multiply, I am reminded of how much this work has evolved from its humble
origins. What began as a solitary effort has grown into a platform with an
international reach, blending Marxist historiography, political analysis, and
cultural critique. These milestones are not final goals; rather, they mark an ongoing journey—progressing unevenly, unpredictably, and
with greater urgency than before.
A Call for Contributors
The website's recent rapid growth has confirmed my long-held
suspicion: there is a growing audience for in-depth Marxist analysis,
historically grounded writing, and steadfast political critique. With over
1,600 articles published and readership spreading across dozens of countries,
it has outgrown one person. What started as a solo project has
now evolved into a platform with a global audience, and it's time for others to
help shape its future.
I invite contributors—historians, writers, researchers,
students, autodidacts, and anyone deeply interested in Marxist historiography,
political economy, or cultural critique—to contribute to the website. This
isn’t a call for mere "content creators” or hobbyists, but for those who
see writing as a form of political action. As the world faces ongoing wars,
declining living standards, the erosion of parliamentary democracy, and the
rise of authoritarianism globally, having clear historical understanding becomes
indispensable, not a luxury.
What We Are Looking For
- Historical
essays grounded in primary sources, archival work, or
historiographical debate
- Marxist
analyses of contemporary political developments
- Critical
reviews of books, films, or cultural phenomena
- Biographical
studies of revolutionary figures, writers, or thinkers
- Reflections
on theory, including Marx, Engels, Lenin, Trotsky, Luxemburg, and the
broader Marxist tradition
- Investigations
into non-capitalist formations, past and present
- International
perspectives, especially from regions underrepresented in mainstream
discourse
The website adopts a serious, historically informed analytical tone. While polemics are appreciated, they must be supported
by evidence and theory. The primary focus is on clarity of thought,
intellectual honesty, and a dedication to understanding the world to effect
change.
Why Contribute?
The historical record is being distorted daily, and the
working class is denied its history. The mainstream press has shifted from
analysis to spectacle. Marxist writing should not be limited to academic or
sectarian circles. The archive we're creating aims to be a valuable resource
for thousands seeking alternatives to capitalist media noise.
Practical Details
- Articles
can be short or long; quality matters more than length.
- Contributors
retain full ownership of their work.
- All
contributions are for non-commercial use unless otherwise agreed.
- If
you wish to submit an article or discuss an idea, please contact: Keith_liv@yahoo.com
A Final Word
The website has grown beyond just my personal contributions;
it now functions as an emerging collective effort. To expand its historical
perspective, increase its global relevance, and enhance its political insights,
I invite others to participate. Whether you want to voice your opinions, share
research, or present an argument, do so here. History isn't shaped by
spectators; it's created by those actively involved.
