Rentier Capitalism
(wikipedia.org)
Rentier capitalism is a concept in Marxist and heterodox economics to refer to rent-seeking and exploitation by companies in capitalist systems.
Rentier capitalism is a concept in Marxist and heterodox economics to refer to rent-seeking and exploitation by companies in capitalist systems.
The Tyranny of Work or Why Are We Still Measured by Our Productivity?
(anticapitalistmusings.com)
The idea that work is a moral duty rather than a means of survival is so deeply ingrained we rarely question it. But as technology advances and work becomes more precarious, exhausting, and intrusive, it is worth asking why productivity remains the measure of a person’s worth.
The idea that work is a moral duty rather than a means of survival is so deeply ingrained we rarely question it. But as technology advances and work becomes more precarious, exhausting, and intrusive, it is worth asking why productivity remains the measure of a person’s worth.
The end of capitalism – or the end of civilisation?
(theconversation.com)
Beware of hyperbolic headlines. But in this case, I’m afraid, as Ulrike Herrmann’s very readable book The End of Capitalism makes clear, the choice between capitalism and civilisation really does seem to be either/or – and the end will probably come a lot sooner that we thought.
Beware of hyperbolic headlines. But in this case, I’m afraid, as Ulrike Herrmann’s very readable book The End of Capitalism makes clear, the choice between capitalism and civilisation really does seem to be either/or – and the end will probably come a lot sooner that we thought.
MAGA Wants to End Capitalism as We Know It
(bloomberg.com)
Corporate America is learning the truth of Winston Churchill’s warning about the appetite of crocodiles. Trump’s tariffs on friendly countries, which were reaffirmed yesterday, will be only the beginning of his assault on the pillars of post-war prosperity. Some of the most influential people in Trump world are determined to go even further and deconstruct the great workhorse of American capitalism: the publicly owned and professionally managed corporation.
Corporate America is learning the truth of Winston Churchill’s warning about the appetite of crocodiles. Trump’s tariffs on friendly countries, which were reaffirmed yesterday, will be only the beginning of his assault on the pillars of post-war prosperity. Some of the most influential people in Trump world are determined to go even further and deconstruct the great workhorse of American capitalism: the publicly owned and professionally managed corporation.
Brother Jonathan
(wikipedia.org)
Brother Jonathan is the personification of New England. He was also used as an emblem of the United States in general, and can be an allegory of capitalism. His too-short pants, too-tight waistcoat and old-fashioned style reflect his taste for inexpensive, second-hand products and efficient use of means.
Brother Jonathan is the personification of New England. He was also used as an emblem of the United States in general, and can be an allegory of capitalism. His too-short pants, too-tight waistcoat and old-fashioned style reflect his taste for inexpensive, second-hand products and efficient use of means.
Bill Gates Is Playing Both Sides of the Climate Crisis
(jacobin.com)
Bill Gates presents himself as a climate champion, but his trust has actually increased its fossil fuel investments since his divestment pledge. It's just the latest example of the billionaire appointing himself to solve problems he helps perpetuate.
Bill Gates presents himself as a climate champion, but his trust has actually increased its fossil fuel investments since his divestment pledge. It's just the latest example of the billionaire appointing himself to solve problems he helps perpetuate.
The cod-Marxism of personalized pricing
(pluralistic.net)
The social function of the economics profession is to explain, over and over again, that your boss is actually right and that you don't really want the things you want, and you're secretly happy to be abused by the system. If that wasn't true, why would your "choose" commercial surveillance, abusive workplaces and other depredations?
The social function of the economics profession is to explain, over and over again, that your boss is actually right and that you don't really want the things you want, and you're secretly happy to be abused by the system. If that wasn't true, why would your "choose" commercial surveillance, abusive workplaces and other depredations?
It's Still Easier to Imagine the End of the World Than the End of Capitalism
(astralcodexten.com)
No Set Gauge has a great essay on Capital, AGI, and Human Ambition, where he argues that if humankind survives the Singularity, the likely result is a future of eternal stagnant wealth inequality.
No Set Gauge has a great essay on Capital, AGI, and Human Ambition, where he argues that if humankind survives the Singularity, the likely result is a future of eternal stagnant wealth inequality.
Myth of Meritocracy
(wikipedia.org)
Myth of meritocracy is a phrase arguing that meritocracy, or achieving upward social mobility through one's own merits regardless of one's social position, is not widely attainable in capitalist societies because of inherent contradictions.
Myth of meritocracy is a phrase arguing that meritocracy, or achieving upward social mobility through one's own merits regardless of one's social position, is not widely attainable in capitalist societies because of inherent contradictions.
It's Still Easier to Imagine the End of the World Than the End of Capitalism
(astralcodexten.com)
No Set Gauge has a great essay on Capital, AGI, and Human Ambition, where he argues that if humankind survives the Singularity, the likely result is a future of eternal stagnant wealth inequality.
No Set Gauge has a great essay on Capital, AGI, and Human Ambition, where he argues that if humankind survives the Singularity, the likely result is a future of eternal stagnant wealth inequality.
The Plot to Poison Children's Minds
(paulkrugman.substack.com)
This is going to be a post about social media, why it’s often harmful, and the disgusting failure of Congress to do anything to mitigate the harm. It’s part of what I envision as a series on “limbic capitalism.” But first, let’s talk about drinking.
This is going to be a post about social media, why it’s often harmful, and the disgusting failure of Congress to do anything to mitigate the harm. It’s part of what I envision as a series on “limbic capitalism.” But first, let’s talk about drinking.
Surveillance Capitalism 2024, Wrapped
(asomo.co)
How spying-as-a-service now gets sent to us as a Christmas present
How spying-as-a-service now gets sent to us as a Christmas present
Before you can have Smalltalk, you must first defeat capitalism?
(mgaudet.ca)
At SPLASH 2024 there were a few talks and sessions that felt a bit like lamentations.
At SPLASH 2024 there were a few talks and sessions that felt a bit like lamentations.
Reading Marx's Capital with David Harvey
(davidharvey.org)
Dialectical analyses of the capitalist totality through a Marxist lens.
Dialectical analyses of the capitalist totality through a Marxist lens.
I've Soured on Open Source
(greaterdanorequalto.com)
Look, I get the noble intentions that originally spawned the movement, but y'all, capitalism is winning, and Open Source isn't changing that fact by an appreciable margin. What it is doing, however, is convincing a whole lot of talented people to donate critical hours of their life to working on tools and libraries that profitable corporations are making bank off of.
Look, I get the noble intentions that originally spawned the movement, but y'all, capitalism is winning, and Open Source isn't changing that fact by an appreciable margin. What it is doing, however, is convincing a whole lot of talented people to donate critical hours of their life to working on tools and libraries that profitable corporations are making bank off of.