The wealth worship is progressing. It’s a secular prosperity gospel. “Since we know for a fact that capitalism rewards the most capable individuals with success it therefore follows the wealthiest are our most capable individuals. Being the most capable means being the smartest, strongest, the healthiest. So clearly they have the best genes. The wealthy are an innately superior group, selected by nature to be a superior class of individual to lead us all. Let us cleanse the word of the inferior poors.”

[–] hfkldjbuq@beehaw.org 10 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

The "longtermists". This has nothing to do with saving humanity; this has everything to do to assure they---who unjustly hold power, resources, capital---maintain and escalate their status throughout human existence.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Capitalism has never come out of feudalism, it has simply put a label of "democracy" on it.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

There are a few cosmetic changes, you don't have the birthright anymore and serfs can move between owners freely. Structurally it is largely the same system though.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 9 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The difference is that landlords and kings have been exchanged for large corporations and banks, with spokespersons we call politicians.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Basically, and now it's coming back full circle.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Never was an circle, power has never left the hands of the elites, more than on short occasions after a revolution, only to be seized again immediately. The population never had real sovereignty.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 10 points 2 years ago (3 children)

Having grown up in USSR, I have to disagree there. USSR had inequality, but nowhere close to the levels seen under capitalism. There also wasn't an elite class because social mobility was very high. All the leaders of USSR came from humble backgrounds and working class families. If USSR took a different turn in the 90s we could've been living in a much better world today.

[–] PythonGuy@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Do you still live in russia?

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 6 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I don't, my family moved after the collapse. At this point I don't see any real difference between Russia and other capitalist countries.

[–] PythonGuy@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

What makes you say that?

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 7 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Russia is a capitalist state largely run by oligarchs, and as BBC reports here, there is little practical difference between the way Russian and US political systems function. Means of production are owned by the rich, and working class people are exploited by them.

[–] PythonGuy@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah ive heard, some of them rich enough that they own soccer teams. China is also having simmilar issue but apperntly xi jing ping is soon to crack down on that.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

From what I've seen the big difference with China is that the rich never got control over the core economy or the government. When they pipe up then they get smacked down as happened with Jack Ma. I certainly do hope Xi follows through on the whole common prosperity thing and wealth redistribution he's talking up.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

You have said it yourself, the advance did not last long and we do not live in a better world, but in a world in the hands of an elite, for whom a briefcase with money is worth more than the life and well-being of the population. To quote G.Orwell in Animal Farm, when pigs learned to walk on 2 legs.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

USSR was the first serious attempt at challenging global capitalism. While capitalist world ultimately prevailed over USSR, it may not outlive USSR for much longer the way things are going. Capitalism is an inherently self destructive system, and it cannot last forever. Ultimately, the elites rely on the masses being compliant in order to perpetuate the system of oppression. This contract only works as long as people are willing to put up with the class relations as they are.

[–] Zerush@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The current situation is going to be a turning point, but it is still not very clear which way it is going. Normal people are very stupid and capitalism has almost all of its media on its side, unfortunately. I'm afraid they'd rather do a reset with a world war than admit that the system is a failure, as it has happened multiple times in the past, going from bubble to bubble.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Yeah, completely agree with that. We're living in very dangerous times and things can always get a lot worse than they are now.

[–] PythonGuy@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Well capitlism was made for the wealthy by the wealthy, its purpose consisits of chanelling money which is not a lasting way to run an ecenomy.

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 0 points 2 years ago

indeed

[–] Binkie55@lemmygrad.ml 3 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If only Yuri Andropov lived longer...

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

indeed

[–] Cassilda@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 2 years ago

Getting real "Love is the plan the plan is death" vibes from these sickos.

[–] DoroWat_Connoisseur@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

When the majority of the wealth is acquired by a minority... I blame debt: You need it for basic life essentials like a car and education and a house. For years, you don't actually own the car or house. In the end, you pay them almost twice because of interest. If you can't make the payments, they'll offer you a new contract that lasts twice as long.

You will always be hedged in. You will always be paying someone. You will own nothing of worth. For some good news, you can minimize the impact if you are clever financially.

If change is happening, I'd vote to disband the fractional reserve system.

[–] hanabatake@lemmy.ml 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

The article is behind a paywall. Can someone access it ?

[–] yogthos@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago (1 children)

here's an archive link https://web.archive.org/web/20221120001219/https://www.businessinsider.com/pronatalism-elon-musk-simone-malcolm-collins-underpopulation-breeding-tech-2022-11

[–] hanabatake@lemmy.ml 2 points 2 years ago

Thank you