The Virology of Capitalism

Daniel Tarade June 5, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, socialists insist that “Capitalism is the Virus!” Capitalist systems promote the material conditions to promote pandemics and other widespread health problems. Austerity drives malnutrition and susceptibility to pestilence, and the profit-motive leads to inappropriate usage of antibiotics. We must inoculate ourselves against corporate propaganda and wipe the system of exploitation and oppression off the face of the earth.

“Justice for All”: Extinction Rebellion Toronto’s New Demand

Daniel Tarade January 3, 2020

The non-violent civil disobedience group Extinction Rebellion continues to fight for climate justice. To close out 2019, the Toronto chapter held its first general assembly and adopted a new demand: justice for all.

Socialism and Human Health

Daniel Tarade October 18, 2019

We are taught that all improvements in societal health are causally linked to a corresponding scientific advance. This is the myth of heroic science. It is clear that lifespan has steadily increased due to a decline in infectious disease mortality. However, this has more to do with improve quality of life due to labour and socialist movements than antibiotic and vaccine development. Socialism is capable of improving our material conditions through wealth redistribution and my allowing democratic control of our scientific institutions to make sure we all benefit from our collective genius and creativity.

Cottage Interior with Seated Woman. Max Liebermann.

Graduate Students in Science: Exploitation and Precarious Work

Daniel Tarade August 30, 2019

Graduate students at the University of Toronto are poorly remunerated for our scientific labour. Our stipend is a poverty wage, and we are ripe for financial exploitation. This desperation drives graduate students to the gig economy for the money they need to survive. In the freelance editing world, trainees can expect low payouts and stressful deadlines. We need to provide a living salary for all scientists, even those who are still in training.

Catastrophic Climate Change and Insulin: Can Communities Produce their own Medicine?

Daniel Tarade August 23, 2019

From poverty to climate change, many threats to the current insulin supply exist. Biological medications are controlled by monopolies and produced by for-profit companies dependent on international trade. Can communities produce their own insulin in accordance with decentralized, non-hierarchical practices?