cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/39504475
this post was submitted on 09 Mar 2025
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A Boring Dystopia
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You're stumbling upon a fundamental contradiction of capitalism that Marx wrote about. The rate of profits tends to decline over time and what you're describing is the end result of that. Capitalist always attempt to fight against this contradiction to delay the inevitable crash but they can only delay. Them paying less while working people more is the fundamental way the markets attempt to delay the crash. But, again, it is only ever a delay. We are heading into a crash not seen since the great depression. It's why they are pushing automation and AI so heavily. They are preparing to capitalize on the economic catastrophe that they are creating. Crashes are not "bad" for capital owners. They are a feature that allows for further wealth concentration.
No one can predict the crash though. Not even the billionaires that control the markets. And it can bubble for decades before it pops.
I think the only way that capitalism could survive is if progress somehow continues. That is why they're pushing for Mars settlement so hard: Because the real growth would be progress that justifies capitalism and gives it more time to move on.
I think the definition of progress is misdirected specifically because of capitalism. It is a truly sick and broken society that spends more effort going to space than it does to provide lunches in school or daycare for children.
I would argue that things like space exploration actually fuel the working class to better notice the contridictions.
"Progress" use to be a tool of distraction. But we are overwhelmed with distractions every day. Our life is filled with distractions as we scroll through our phones. I would agree with you historically that progress in technologies or discoveries have given us "toys" to keep us distracted. But Mars? Mars is nothing but a massive "fuck you" to working class people that can't afford eggs.