You reminded me I’ve been meaning to reread that. Capitalism has a truly uncanny ability to co-opt critique. The term is “recuperation” and it sucks so bad lmao
Reminds me of the twist in The Matrix (Reloaded) when it turns out that Zion is actually allowed to exist alongside the Matrix. Resistance to the system is integrated into the system’s logic, making genuine rebellion or transformation basically impossible.
I was thinking exactly this! I am reading it right now! And specifically this part, about how capitalism relies on anti-capitalist rhetoric so people can feel like they’re doing something to push back, bc the characters in stories have (with the Wall-E example).
i see you on my Instagram and im always capitvated by what you have to say; that carries over to substack as well! ive never sat down to watch black mirror but i have seen that episode! i really enjoy the analogy and the idea of milking important ideas on short form media to death is incredibly interesting. keep writing more :))))
I just start to wonder, is it inevitable that any kind of social progressive meme (in the academic sense of the word) will be satirised once it reaches the end of its internet popularity? And will that satire always be content-ified into the lowest common denominator idea that can be mass reproduced? Will it be possible to actually propigate new social ideas/movements within a network that only prioritises engagement? I'm not hopeful that the next revolution will take place on Instagram or Tiktok, at the current rate.
i’m so glad there are other people talking about how commodified “-core” trends are omg!!! i wrote a whole essay about how hopecore is a product now and none of my friends agreed with me 😔
This! As soon as it’s been labelled, you can package it into a marketable aesthetic or trend. That’s exactly what Pinterest does every year with their annual “Predicts” report. They come up with artificial new aesthetics (e.g. Moto Boho), to work with brands who think they’re tapping into some cultural oracle.
Thanks!! I had to think about Dick Hebdige, The meaning of style, 1979. Hebdige argues that all subcultures experience the same trajectory... what was once subversive, rebellious, and radical, is now contained.
i've been thinking about this lately, and tbh at first i thought that these memes are just ai generated videos which were misiniterpreted by the ai, and, and then that got me thinking how generative ai is now just another vehicle for hyperconsumerism, whether it is about content or actual objects (and now im depressed)
New follower here and really enjoyed reading this! I write about Generation Alpha and I do wonder, as more of them go online (atm the oldest are only 15 years old and the youngest are newborn babies) whether they'll be so aware of and so dismissive of this cycle that they might act to change it? surely the 'core' snake can't keep on eating its own tail forever? surely? it'll be interesting to see how it plays out
This reminds me of Mark Fisher's argument in Capitalist Realism, namely the way capitalism absorbs and commodifies critiques of itself.
You reminded me I’ve been meaning to reread that. Capitalism has a truly uncanny ability to co-opt critique. The term is “recuperation” and it sucks so bad lmao
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recuperation_(politics)
Reminds me of the twist in The Matrix (Reloaded) when it turns out that Zion is actually allowed to exist alongside the Matrix. Resistance to the system is integrated into the system’s logic, making genuine rebellion or transformation basically impossible.
You should also check out One-Dimensional man by Herbert Marcuse
I was thinking exactly this! I am reading it right now! And specifically this part, about how capitalism relies on anti-capitalist rhetoric so people can feel like they’re doing something to push back, bc the characters in stories have (with the Wall-E example).
"enshittified" omg brilliant
"Enshittification" was the American Dialect Society's word of the year for 2023: https://americandialect.org/2023-word-of-the-year-is-enshittification/
i see you on my Instagram and im always capitvated by what you have to say; that carries over to substack as well! ive never sat down to watch black mirror but i have seen that episode! i really enjoy the analogy and the idea of milking important ideas on short form media to death is incredibly interesting. keep writing more :))))
I just start to wonder, is it inevitable that any kind of social progressive meme (in the academic sense of the word) will be satirised once it reaches the end of its internet popularity? And will that satire always be content-ified into the lowest common denominator idea that can be mass reproduced? Will it be possible to actually propigate new social ideas/movements within a network that only prioritises engagement? I'm not hopeful that the next revolution will take place on Instagram or Tiktok, at the current rate.
i’m so glad there are other people talking about how commodified “-core” trends are omg!!! i wrote a whole essay about how hopecore is a product now and none of my friends agreed with me 😔
This! As soon as it’s been labelled, you can package it into a marketable aesthetic or trend. That’s exactly what Pinterest does every year with their annual “Predicts” report. They come up with artificial new aesthetics (e.g. Moto Boho), to work with brands who think they’re tapping into some cultural oracle.
Thanks!! I had to think about Dick Hebdige, The meaning of style, 1979. Hebdige argues that all subcultures experience the same trajectory... what was once subversive, rebellious, and radical, is now contained.
Content really do be eating itself.
You're a legend. So long as it bring you joy and energy, keep up the good work. You are appreciated.
Here from your recent video! If you liked capitalist realism you will also probably like one dimensional man by Herbert Marcuse
you guys swore you wouldn’t core me 😠
i've been thinking about this lately, and tbh at first i thought that these memes are just ai generated videos which were misiniterpreted by the ai, and, and then that got me thinking how generative ai is now just another vehicle for hyperconsumerism, whether it is about content or actual objects (and now im depressed)
New follower here and really enjoyed reading this! I write about Generation Alpha and I do wonder, as more of them go online (atm the oldest are only 15 years old and the youngest are newborn babies) whether they'll be so aware of and so dismissive of this cycle that they might act to change it? surely the 'core' snake can't keep on eating its own tail forever? surely? it'll be interesting to see how it plays out
All I can say is: yes.