4 ms·

I enjoyed squid game, but it bugs me that everyone says it's a critique of capitalism. They're literally participating in a centrally planned system.

by boppo1 5y ago

pastacacioepepe 5y ago
Just read the interview with the author: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-games-creator-rich-netflix-bonus-hwang-dong-hyuk https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-g... It is 100% a critique on capitalism and he states it clearly.
McBeige 5y ago
Isn't inequality or competition for basic needs, and how those can lead to terrible outcomes, a better starting point if you want to come up with an ancap interpretation? I don't think the series says much about central vs local planning, and even if it did that'd only be tangentially related to capitalism or anti-capitalism.
MildlySerious 5y ago
Out of desperation and lack of options, yes. Then they are shown the horrible nature of it and still decide it's the least bad thing for them.
- vowelless 5y ago
  Lol absolutely not. They participate out of free choice. Its a warning that people could choose to participate in a centralized, communist totalitarian system if they are encouraged to do so. It reminds us of the communist revolutions from the early 1900s and a lot of the leftist rhetoric from today.
  - MildlySerious 5y ago
    > Why did Hwang create a horrifyingly brutal contest that holds human life so cheap? “Because the show is motivated by a simple idea,” he says. “We are fighting for our lives in very unequal circumstances.” Are you making a profound point about capitalism? “It’s not profound! It’s very simple! I do believe that the overall global economic order is unequal and that around 90% of the people believe that it’s unfair. During the pandemic, poorer countries can’t get their people vaccinated. They’re contracting viruses on the streets and even dying. So I did try to convey a message about modern capitalism. As I said, it’s not profound.”[1] The director begs to differ. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-games-creator-rich-netflix-bonus-hwang-dong-hyuk https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-g...
    - boppo1 5y ago
      It's unfortunate that these sort of meditations on "capitalism" are without any sort of recognition of interest rate intervention policy. It's the very mechanic by which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
peakaboo 5y ago
And why do they participate? Because its their only chance to get away from being poor. That's exactly the point of capitalism - people do things they don't want to do every day so they don't have to be poor.
- lotsofpulp 5y ago
  Has a better system been tried or proposed? A daily lottery for who has to clean toilets and do underwater welding?
- merpnderp 5y ago
  But what’s the alternative to freely trading your labor for goods and services? Taking them through government decree?
  - catlikesshrimp 5y ago
    You can't freely trade your labor. The market is rigged. If you give people rights, capital will emigrate to other countries. Just look at outsourcing. See, it is human nature that is flawed. There are always people on top and people below.
    - merpnderp 5y ago
      How so?
      - catlikesshrimp 5y ago
        Those two words don't convey enough clarity. Assuming good faith and that you are refering to "You can't freely trade your labor. The market is rigged." Immigration is allowed (both legaly and illegaly) because payment for some activities isn't a honest wage for an honest job. Why? Because the game is rigged. * Not everybody can apply for venture capital investment. Being white helps. Being male helps. Having the correct background helps. Having a good idea helps. Making a good pitch helps a lot. Why? Because the game is rigged. Those two generalizations should be enough. *Why do border exists, again? To keep away the slave labor reserve until it is needed. Why can people from any country trade their labor? Because the game is rigged
wodenokoto 5y ago
I don't really see the game itself as a societal criticism, but more how desperation from an unfair society can drive people to participate, and how extremely wealthy individuals can abuse this desperation for fun and games.

I enjoyed squid game, but it bugs me that everyone says it's a critique of capitalism. They're literally participating in a centrally planned system.

by boppo1 5y ago

I enjoyed squid game, but it bugs me that everyone says it's a critique of capitalism. They're literally participating in a centrally planned system.

pastacacioepepe 5y ago

Just read the interview with the author: https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-games-creator-rich-netflix-bonus-hwang-dong-hyuk https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-g... It is 100% a critique on capitalism and he states it clearly.

McBeige 5y ago

Isn't inequality or competition for basic needs, and how those can lead to terrible outcomes, a better starting point if you want to come up with an ancap interpretation? I don't think the series says much about central vs local planning, and even if it did that'd only be tangentially related to capitalism or anti-capitalism.

MildlySerious 5y ago

Out of desperation and lack of options, yes. Then they are shown the horrible nature of it and still decide it's the least bad thing for them.

vowelless 5y ago
Lol absolutely not. They participate out of free choice. Its a warning that people could choose to participate in a centralized, communist totalitarian system if they are encouraged to do so. It reminds us of the communist revolutions from the early 1900s and a lot of the leftist rhetoric from today.
- MildlySerious 5y ago
  > Why did Hwang create a horrifyingly brutal contest that holds human life so cheap? “Because the show is motivated by a simple idea,” he says. “We are fighting for our lives in very unequal circumstances.” Are you making a profound point about capitalism? “It’s not profound! It’s very simple! I do believe that the overall global economic order is unequal and that around 90% of the people believe that it’s unfair. During the pandemic, poorer countries can’t get their people vaccinated. They’re contracting viruses on the streets and even dying. So I did try to convey a message about modern capitalism. As I said, it’s not profound.”[1] The director begs to differ. [1] https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-games-creator-rich-netflix-bonus-hwang-dong-hyuk https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-g...
  - boppo1 5y ago
    It's unfortunate that these sort of meditations on "capitalism" are without any sort of recognition of interest rate intervention policy. It's the very mechanic by which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.

peakaboo 5y ago

And why do they participate? Because its their only chance to get away from being poor. That's exactly the point of capitalism - people do things they don't want to do every day so they don't have to be poor.

lotsofpulp 5y ago
Has a better system been tried or proposed? A daily lottery for who has to clean toilets and do underwater welding?
merpnderp 5y ago
But what’s the alternative to freely trading your labor for goods and services? Taking them through government decree?
- catlikesshrimp 5y ago
  You can't freely trade your labor. The market is rigged. If you give people rights, capital will emigrate to other countries. Just look at outsourcing. See, it is human nature that is flawed. There are always people on top and people below.
  - merpnderp 5y ago
    How so?
    - catlikesshrimp 5y ago
      Those two words don't convey enough clarity. Assuming good faith and that you are refering to "You can't freely trade your labor. The market is rigged." Immigration is allowed (both legaly and illegaly) because payment for some activities isn't a honest wage for an honest job. Why? Because the game is rigged. * Not everybody can apply for venture capital investment. Being white helps. Being male helps. Having the correct background helps. Having a good idea helps. Making a good pitch helps a lot. Why? Because the game is rigged. Those two generalizations should be enough. *Why do border exists, again? To keep away the slave labor reserve until it is needed. Why can people from any country trade their labor? Because the game is rigged

wodenokoto 5y ago

I don't really see the game itself as a societal criticism, but more how desperation from an unfair society can drive people to participate, and how extremely wealthy individuals can abuse this desperation for fun and games.