Anarchoblogs in English

T.A.Z.: The Temporary Autonomous Zone, Ontological Anarchy, Poetic Terrorism

By Hakim Bey

Review by Bruce Bruceson

This book consists of Chaos: The Broadsheets of Ontological Anarchism, Communiques of the Association for Ontological Anarchism, and The Temporary Autonomous Zones. This isn’t meant to be a comprehensive review, rather it is a brief look at some of the key ideas contained within the book.

We have all heard somebody utter the ridiculous phrase, “if you don't like it here you can just get up and leave!”

Critics of the dominant culture learn to live with such phrases. They are not much different than the rustling of leaves or background chatter at a café. Occasionally, however, it is worth asking “where shall I go?”

To the best of my knowledge, there are people governing every inch of inhabitable land. As if that weren't enough, we are now colonizing Antarctica and space. The most destructive and violent species in history is turning the least inhabitable lands into habitat. It is next to impossible to be left alone. Anyone who doubts that should ask Randy Weaver or David Koresh. If they are too controversial, try talking to a family that believes in alternative medicine and refuses chemotherapy treatment for a sick child.

All of our actions are subject to someone else's rule. Degrees vary, but the fact remains − we are subject to someone else's rule.

Many people have offered solutions to free ourselves. Bookstores are full of self-help books. The late, great Harry Browne wrote a magnificent tome entitled How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World. Many individuals have found ways to go unnoticed. However, noone has tackled this issue in the same manner as Hakim Bey.

Bey, also known as Peter Lamborn Wilson, is a very interesting person. However, I am not interested in heroification, only ideas and action (for more one Bey go to http://www.hermetic.com/bey/).

The Temporary Autonomous Zone (hereafter TAZ) is Bey's contribution to the quest for freedom. According to Wikipedia – the sometimes flawed yet anarchistic internet encyclopedia – TAZ is “the sociopolitical tactic of creating temporary space that eludes formal structures of control.”

The essay itself is composed of eight sections: Pirate Utopias, Waiting for the Revolution, The Psychotopology of Everyday Life, the Net and the Web, “Gone to Croatan”, Music as an Organizational Principle, The Will to Power as Disappearance, and Ratholes in the Babylon of Information.

Bey begins the essay with a mini-history (of sorts) about Pirate Utopias – an early predecessor to TAZ – these utopias were gatherings of pirates. These pirates were similar to the portrayal in the amusing film Pirate’s of the Carribean – people living in autonomous enclaves outside of any established governing body. He notes that these pirates communities were not much different than some of today's intentional communities. For example, a gift economy replaced the mixed socialist/capitalist economy that most people live under.

This was possible prior to modern technology. In present times, the CIA and Pentagon currently have the ability to hone in on every nook and cranny of the Earth with the touch of a button. Worse, these areas can be decimated with the same ease.

Unfortunately, Bey seems to idolize these societies even though they rely on other people’s labor and plunder. This criticism was also raised by Murray Bookchin and deserves to be repeated. How liberating is an action if it leads to the further enslavement of others? I would love to “eat, drink, and be merry” without having to worry about working, but not if it is going to keep down others! Pirates were not amiable characters that we should emulate. Bey describes “Pirate Utopias” as “primitive and devoted to grim business, the net nevertheless functioned admirably.” “The net” refers to the various enclaves of pirate communities.

The obvious question remains, what is admirable about so-called pirate society? The use of the word pirate is troubling, especially considering Bey’s command of language. Words are important and I fear that talking about pirate society in favorable light will take away from the more positive aspects Bey brings to the table. Bookchin’s criticisms go further. He questions Bey’s anarchist credentials based on his lifestyle and other writings – there isn’t space in this article, nor the desire of the author to inspect these claims.

So how do we escape? How can we find anything resembling liberation when we can be constantly tracked?

First and foremost we must divorce ourselves from the mindset of collective liberation. To quote the essay:
“To say that 'I will not be free until all humans (or all sentient creatures) are free' is simply to cave in to a kind of nirvanastupor, to abdicate our humanity, to define ourselves as losers.” Unfortunately these words can be misconstrued. If our actions harm or hinder the progress of others, then we are in violation of the Non Aggression Principle and Natural Law (See Lysander Spooner’s Natural Law or the Science of Justice available online at http://www.lysanderspooner.org/NaturalLaw.htm. This essay is also available in the excellent book The Lysander Spooner Reader, edited by George Smith).

TAZ focuses on actions that will lead to immediate, albeit temporary, liberation. Earlier essays in T.A.Z.: The Temporary Autonomous Zone, Ontological Anarchy, Poetic Terrorism discuss specific tactics useful in creating a TAZ. This is where Bey shines. The second piece in the book is called Poetic Terrorism. I was very amused when I first read this essay. My first reaction was to laugh, but I realized the revolutionary nature of it once I shared the ideas with a friend.

So what are Bey’s revolutionary actions? An excerpt from Poetic Terrorism

Weird dancing in all-night computer-banking lobbies. Unauthorized pyrotechnic displays. Land-art, earthworks as bizarre alien artifacts strewn in State Parks. Burglarize houses but instead of stealing, leave Poetic-Terrorist objects. Kidnap someone and make them happy.

Weird dancing won’t change the world, but it will help free our minds from the constraints of a stressful world, and that is the point of TAZ.

The Natural Community Planner

By Chris Lempa

Have you ever wondered why county borders lies where they do? Or why cities have nonsensical borders? The arbitrary borders that divide us make very little sense once we begin thinking about them.

A realistic vision for the future is essential to anyone interested in improving their communities. In my utopia, bioregions would serve as the basic building block of society. A bioregion, simply put, is a geographic area of interconnected natural systems and their characteristic watersheds, landforms, species and human cultures. In other words, cities, counties, and states would be shaped by the natural features that give them life and character.

Currently, there is a major concern that buying locally is costlier. Until we stop seeing local products as “novelties,” they will continue to be more expensive. Worse is the downright refusal to stock local products. A stunning example can be found at restaurants. One would think that a locally owned restaurant would support local farmers when possible.

Not that long ago I went out for breakfast and asked for some honey. Naturally, I was expecting the honey to be from a local apiary. Needless to say, I was astonished when I saw it was from a major, multinational food conglomerate.

By supporting local farmers and producers – and telling them what to improve – we are helping to improve our communities. It is easy to feel trapped because we feel that our community is mediocre. An easy way to change our community is by changing the way we see it.

People have a natural tendency to organize their daily lives based on what they have in common. By allowing this to happen we increase the chances for peaceful cooperation. Unfortunately, this concept is foreign to rogue imperialists and the dominant way of thinking amongst societal planners. Fortunately it seems to be a common feeling amongst most people. The examples are endless. Look at the various subcultures, voluntary clubs, or social organizations. These groups, unlike governments, do not rely on force. People join voluntarily. This is the idea behind the bioregion.

The possibilities are endless and it is up to us to make them happen.

Chris Lempa is an organizer with Coles County Buy Local, mediator of a local supper club, a teacher's aide, and a radical theorist in training. He can be reached at 8lempa8@gmail.com.

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