The hottest Capitalism Substack posts right now

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Why real environmental action is so hard

Technology, Environment, and Art • 39 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Capitalism Science Consumerism Sustainability
  1. The global capitalistic-consumerist system is fundamentally destructive and promotes unsustainable practices, causing cognitive dissonance in individuals.
  2. Efforts to address environmental issues are often evaluated based on their ability to further global consumerism rather than their actual impact.
  3. To truly make a difference, we need to challenge the current industrial and capitalistic systems, reassess our reliance on technology, and make significant lifestyle changes to prioritize sustainability over convenience.

Mark Fisher was right: The desire for Starbucks really is the thwarted desire for communism

The 21st Century Proletarian • 79 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Social Issues Communities Capitalism Revolution
  1. The desire for Starbucks might be a yearning for a communal space like communism, highlighting how economic systems affect our social interactions.
  2. Third places, like coffee houses or the Agora in ancient Athens, play a crucial role in fostering community, political consciousness, and social connections.
  3. The shift from real-life third places to online bubbles has led to increased loneliness, with digital interactions lacking the depth and variety of human connections found in physical communal spaces.

Life Is All About Work, Didn’t You Know?

antoniomelonio • 86 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Work Freedom Society Labor Capitalism
  1. Life involves a cycle of working to survive - from following specific rules in society to earning a living through predetermined means.
  2. Many find dissatisfaction in modern work due to its lack of purpose, fake elements, and inequality. Imagining a fulfilling work experience that is meaningful and valued.
  3. Existence is tied to being productive in a system driven by abstract concepts of growth, leading to disillusionment and a call for individual struggle for freedom and authentic living.
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Highlights from Charlie Munger's Conversation with Todd Combs (2022 Singleton Prize for CEO Excellence)

Neckar’s Notes • 234 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
💼 Business Investing Entrepreneurship Capitalism Finance Books
  1. A long attention span is valuable in achieving good results, especially if you're reasonably smart.
  2. Being remorselessly rational holds vast power in life, as seen in the example of Henry Singleton.
  3. Fanatics who focus on one or two great businesses tend to get the best results.

It All Ends in a Boring Dystopia

antoniomelonio • 73 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Dystopia Capitalism Society Globalization Rebellion
  1. The concept of 'boring dystopia' highlights the mundane and monotonous nature of societal collapse, contrasting it with the dramatic portrayals in movies and media.
  2. Boring dystopia is viewed as a consequence of modern capitalism, leading to disillusionment, alienation, and a sense of numbness among individuals.
  3. Globalization has resulted in a homogenization of cities and experiences, creating a world where unique cultural vibrancy is replaced by a dull, standardized environment.

Welcome to The (Im)Posture

On Looking • 239 implied HN points • 05 Apr 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Creativity Capitalism Newsletter Community
  1. The newsletter 'The (Im)Posture' aims to offer a critical space for illustrators to engage beyond common industry narratives and delve into the complexities of the field.
  2. The author emphasizes illustration as an expertise and a critical practice, encouraging questioning and reflection on topics like creativity, capitalism, and ethics.
  3. Unlike most newsletters, there is no extra content for paid subscribers; the focus is on creating valuable work without monetary barriers, with an option for readers to support if they find the content adds value.

FIFA Women’s World Cup Hijacked by Fourth Wave Feminism

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 59 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Identity politics Feminism Media Capitalism Sports
  1. Fourth Wave Feminism hijacking the FIFA Women’s World Cup, turning it into a platform for identity politics and woke Neo-Marxism.
  2. Channel 9's portrayal of women's economic power at odds with the reality of corporate influence and manipulation in cultural narratives.
  3. The societal dynamics suggest that women have cultural and social power but do not face oppression, despite the narrative pushed by certain media outlets.

Work, Abuse, and Unwinnable Games

72 Degrees North • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Work Abuse Games Relationships Capitalism
  1. Life can sometimes present unwinnable situations where moving on is the best option.
  2. People may engage in unwinnable games like pursuing unattainable goals in relationships or falling into abusive patterns.
  3. Corporate work under capitalism shares similarities with abusive relationships, using small rewards and big punishments to keep workers captive.

Rise of civilization Part 2

America in Crisis • 39 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
💾 History Capitalism Industrial Revolution
  1. Capitalism involves the accumulation of capital through entrepreneurial growth ethic to increase labor productivity.
  2. Capitalism allowed a release from Malthusian limits to economic growth, enabling the rise in GDP per capita seen through history.
  3. The development of capitalism involved utilizing surplus population in profitable activities, leading to economic conditions for industrial revolution and modern Western-centric world.

This is the Most Interesting Time in Human History. So far.

The Digital Anthropologist • 79 implied HN points • 22 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Digital Genetic Engineering Capitalism Democracy Artificial Intelligence
  1. This may be the most interesting time in human history due to the rapid advancements in digital technologies and societal changes.
  2. Humanity has always progressed through massive societal changes driven by revolutionary technologies, and the pace of such changes is accelerating.
  3. Key changes underway include a shift in our relationship with nature, advancements in genetic engineering for longer lifespans, the evolution of capitalism and democracy, and the impact of invisible technologies.

Is capitalism making you lonely?

inexactscience • 2 HN points • 13 Aug 24
📖 Philosophy Capitalism Loneliness Social Science Economic Theory Well-being
  1. There is a loneliness epidemic seen around the world, and some people think capitalism might be contributing to it.
  2. Research shows a moderate negative relationship between economic freedom and loneliness. When economic freedom increases, loneliness tends to decrease.
  3. While there are arguments that capitalism could increase loneliness, such as encouraging long working hours and individualism, the data suggests that capitalism, in fact, may help reduce feelings of loneliness.

Bullet Points: Big money ruins everything+pronatalism's fake apocalypse

The Future, Now and Then • 105 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economics Society Climate change Capitalism Population
  1. Big money can have significant influence over critical infrastructure and government decisions.
  2. Population decline poses challenges for capitalism but may not be a civilization-ending threat.
  3. Climate change is a more pressing concern than low birth rates in terms of long-term impact.

AI, Capitalism, and the Collapse of Industrial Society

antoniomelonio • 46 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🔬 Science AI Capitalism
  1. Capitalism's impact on technological advancements may turn them into nightmare fuel, including artificial intelligence.
  2. AI holds potential for a post-scarcity future, optimizing tasks and potentially enabling Universal Basic Income, but under capitalism, this positive transformation faces challenges.
  3. The interactions between AI, capitalism, and society's collapse present a complex gamble for humanity's future, where AI could be both a solution and a threat, depending on how it's leveraged.

The Violent Rules Based Order

Black Lodges • 39 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Theory Capitalism Violence Power Propaganda
  1. The concept of bourgeois legality as a facade for ruling class violence is crucial to understanding power dynamics in the 21st century West.
  2. In the face of government crackdowns, it is essential to move beyond illusions of freedom and work towards a strategic response.
  3. Recognizing the true power structures and oppressive nature of the capitalist class is key to offering a meaningful future by acting accordingly.

The Political Implications of Digital Worlds

The 21st Century Proletarian • 39 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🌍 World Politics Socialism Capitalism Class Struggle
  1. Socialism is facing challenges in the current political landscape, with capitalism prevailing as the dominant system.
  2. The increasing immersion in digital worlds through technologies like VR may distract us from addressing real-world problems and fuel isolation and inequality.
  3. Hyper-personalization and isolation in virtual spaces could hinder political engagement, highlighting the importance of real-life connections for meaningful change.

Iron Cage

Brain Lenses • 19 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Sociology Economics Capitalism Theory Bureaucracy
  1. Max Weber coined the term 'iron cage' to describe how modern humans are enclosed within capitalistic systems with strict structures.
  2. The structures of capitalism and bureaucracies have created an almost indestructible shell that governs social, relational, and resource management aspects of our lives.
  3. Many people operate within this 'iron cage' without realizing the system they are enclosed in.

The reality distortion field

Thoughts on Writing • 239 implied HN points • 19 Aug 21
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Capitalism Advertising Corporations
  1. Reactions to discussions about brand purpose can vary, with some finding it hard to openly express skepticism in certain professional settings.
  2. The concept of purpose in business is complex and often seen as a grey area, leading to varied opinions about the role of advertising and selling.
  3. Criticism of the emphasis on brand purpose and potential distortion of ethics in business highlights the need for a deeper reflection on the motivations behind corporate actions.

2024

Black Lodges • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Revolution Capitalism Palestine
  1. The writer expresses urgency for action towards total revolution.
  2. There is a strong rejection of soft cultural approaches and a call to oppose capitalist powers.
  3. The writer emphasizes the importance of sharing and supporting the publication.

Los bancos de EEUU se enriquecieron durante la pandemia de Covid-19, mientras millones murieron

Geopolitical Economy Report • 119 implied HN points • 19 Jan 22
🌍 World Politics Economic Inequality Health Crisis Government Response Capitalism Banking Sector
  1. The US banks profited greatly during the Covid-19 pandemic despite millions dying, indicating a stark wealth disparity.
  2. Capitalist oligarchs gained $5 trillion during the pandemic while a vast majority of people suffered financially.
  3. The US government largely neglected its people during the pandemic, resulting in high death tolls and emphasizing the stark individualistic nature of the country's response.

How American Shock Capitalism Fostered the Russia-Ukraine War

JoeWrote • 30 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Nationalism Oligarchy Capitalism War
  1. Geopolitical conflicts, like the Russia-Ukraine War, are often oversimplified as 'Good Guys vs. Bad Guys,' but understanding the complexities behind these conflicts is crucial to preventing future tragedies.
  2. The implementation of Shock Capitalism in Russia post-Soviet Union led to a catastrophic economic collapse, increased income inequality, and the rise of an oligarchy, setting the stage for social unrest and Putin's consolidation of power.
  3. Nationalism, particularly in Russia, has been used by leaders like Putin to distract from domestic issues, justify military action, and boost popularity, highlighting the dangerous impact of nationalism when fueled by political agendas.

How cultural evolution works

America in Crisis • 39 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🎭️ Culture Evolution Capitalism Cultural transmission
  1. Cultural evolution is faster than biological evolution and is driven by innovation, competition, and replication.
  2. Cultural transmission involves biases like direct bias, indirect bias, and prestige bias that influence the spread of cultural information.
  3. Capitalism emerged from a cultural evolution driven by the accumulation of capital, prestige, and cultural transmission, leading to economic growth and societal changes.

The intimate commodity of the commercial artist.

On Looking • 99 implied HN points • 29 Apr 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Style Capitalism Identity Creative work
  1. In a capitalist system, style becomes a way for individuals to shape their identity through the consumption of stylized goods.
  2. As a commercial artist, the balance between originality and predictability is crucial in capitalizing on style.
  3. The concept of 'style' in art blurs the lines between personal expression, market demands, and artistic authenticity.

A Rebuttal to the Techno-Capitalist Manifesto

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 28 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Ethics Philosophy Capitalism Artificial Intelligence Social Impact
  1. The Techno-Capitalist Manifesto fails to understand the deep history of humans and technology, focusing on narrow viewpoints from software engineering and venture capitalism.
  2. There are valid points within the manifesto regarding the shortcomings of current bureaucratic and academic systems, acknowledging a need for reform.
  3. The manifesto exhibits frightening dystopian overtones, showing a disregard for human agency, free will, and a narrow view of economics and politics, while emphasizing decentralized markets and devaluing academia and the humanities.

Why TV Commercials are Now All Pharma Ads

The Carousel • 25 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Media influence Capitalism Propaganda
  1. TV commercials are now dominated by pharma ads due to a loophole in FDA regulations that allowed direct-to-consumer advertising.
  2. The surge in pharma ads on TV is driven by the need to maintain high revenue levels, even after the initial spike during the pandemic.
  3. Pharma ads target older demographics through traditional TV advertising, as other industries shift more towards digital and social media.

Disability, UBI, and the explanatory power of labour-inclusive capitalism

Wheel’s Substack • 19 implied HN points • 07 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Capitalism Disability Ideology
  1. Labour-inclusive capitalism promotes the idea of collaboration between capital and labor for optimal capitalism.
  2. Some perspectives view UBI as exclusionary and ableist due to the focus on labor inclusion and agency.
  3. Labor-inclusive capitalism dominates the ideology of influential members of the Labour party.

The Tension Between Business & Humanity in the Digital Age

The Digital Anthropologist • 19 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎭️ Culture Technology Society Capitalism Digital Age Humanity
  1. Business and society are at a crucial point of tension due to issues like income inequality, wage pressures, and the impact of technology like AI.
  2. Technological advancements like cryptocurrency challenge the current financial system and call for a reassessment of capitalism's role in promoting social equality.
  3. The evolving business landscape, influenced by digital technologies, is sparking debates about the importance of humanities in shaping our culture and economic systems.

From Capitalism to Technofeudalism

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 17 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
📖 Philosophy Future Technology Capitalism Society Identity
  1. Transitioning from Capitalism to Technofeudalism involves the integration of digital technology and privatization of the Internet.
  2. Holochain presents an alternative to blockchain, emphasizing user autonomy and decentralization.
  3. Building diverse currencies tailored to specific community needs can promote resilience and cooperation in contrast to traditional monetary exchange.

How Burning Man Failed

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 27 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Festivals Psychedelics Art Society Capitalism
  1. The Burning Man festival has shifted from its original vision and become more focused on wealth and status, losing its self-parody and social critique.
  2. Burning Man now reflects a culture of hollow hedonism and narcissism, with art and experiences tailored for Instagram and wealthy attendees.
  3. The lack of a meaningful critique on societal issues within Burning Man and the psychedelic renaissance highlights a need for collective action and political activism.

bro, where's my marriage plot

sweater weather • 13 HN points • 18 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture Literature Gender Dynamics Marriage Capitalism
  1. The concept of the marriage plot has evolved over time in literature, reflecting shifts in societal norms and values.
  2. Certain men today exhibit characteristics reminiscent of those in traditional marriage plots, emphasizing wealth and status for the purpose of marriage.
  3. There is a connection between the traditional marriage plot, societal power dynamics, and the modern focus on relationships and material wealth.