Squid Game: Ideology And The New Soviet Man

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[@BrigonChomhgaill]

"He was MORE than a hero - he was a union man."

[@anarchomando7707]

*Ear rape solidarity forever intensifies*

[@carutherswillaby7592]

“32 bullets he had in him… or was it 34?”

[@Lonewolfdebnf]

He just watches and have a game rather than help the homeless guy for himself his selfish. Not some union guy

[@Huy-G-Le]

@@Lonewolfdebnf If he helps the guys himself, that would be a violation of the bet, and I also bet some one will help, because if I was there, unlike you south Korean, I would helps the dude himself, because I'm Viet, and not you.

[@bills-beard]

Finally, a Squid Hame analysis video that examines its capitalist critiques through a regionally-appropriate historical lens. Finally, a take I feel comfortable sharing with friends! Thanks! Great work, as always. My regards to Dr Skittles

[@emilymoran9152]

Xiran Jay Zhao has a video that goes into the Korean history aspects as well which is quite good: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3zEmaWCnbGBorM

[@jonathan4835]

Feel the same

[@Wackaz]

It's funny how liberals and other capitalists think this show was a commentary on communism when the director clearly, blatantly, and openly stated it was a commentary on capitalism.

[@marianotorrespico2975]

Wackaz -- Because there is profit in fake-Liberalism and capitalism.

[@fishsteakyelk341]

Liberals and other bootlickers just can’t wrap there heads around their system being naturally repressive and shit because otherwise their entire idea of the world and belief system would collapse. It’s like when dumbasses say shit like “oh Vietnam was never fighting for communism”, it just shows how little they know about communist movements and lines of thought as well as having no idea what liberation means. As a communist who often had to deal with liberal family members and friends it’s incredibly difficult for them to understand how the world actually works.

[@the__rock263]

It's just pathetic coping mechanism

[@MarxistMogger]

media literacy is dying

[@caramelldansen2204]

Liberals always project issues of capitalism onto communists. You'll notice that all of their deranged criticisms of the USSR not only exist in capitalism, but often exclusive to capitalism. I suppose it's an easy way for the bourgeoisie to kill two birds with one stone; create propaganda against its enemies while extinguishing criticism of itself.

[@commontom]

I find it meaningful that the guy representing Capitalism dies when the homeless person is saved. A clear message that Capitalism is defeated when we help and care for each other. Although, it's interesting how the police are presented in this (and other) scenes. I was unaware of the S Korean laws against speaking positively about the North and wonder if there is a similar law/custom for the police given how much of an uncritical ride they are given by the show.

[@aidanking4197]

Individual cops can be good people, but not when they’re acting out their primary obligation: to protect property, at any cost. The games could never happen without the willing assent of the South Korean government and the laws they enforce (or don’t, as suits the needs of the rulers). That, ultimately, makes the middle rank enforcers (managers, cops, the middle class, etc) also expendable if that means ensuring the integrity of the system overall - which is what happens to the renegade cop looking for his brother.

[@roseclouds5838]

I must confessed I did laugh when he died

[@PesteNegro]

@@aidanking4197 I think we need the insight of someone who lives in skorea or knows it better than us because in some places the police might be assigned with tasks such as helping homeless ppl especially in times like winter, etc. to get to public shelters. I mean, I don't think a cop would bring a homeless to his or her home or whatever lol

[@aidanking4197]

@@PesteNegro That’s a fair point, but I’d ask you to consider this: cops are the roles relied on to solve problems people aren’t willing to spend money on for social services; doesn’t matter if it’s delinquency, someone threatening suicide, or homeless encampments. Why? Because cops are easy - force is easy. You just beat the problem out of sight of the broader public. I reiterate, individual cops can be good people - but policing as an institution primarily exists to protect and guard commerce and property relations because that’s primarily what the state is about. If they were about preserving human life, you’d see cops handing out food and water to people living on the streets. You don’t see that.

[@PesteNegro]

@@aidanking4197 I totally agree with what you just said. I live in a country with one of the most violent police in the world so I sometimes ask myself what they do in countries where they don't terrorizes ppl's life all the time lol hajajhahah I was literally yesterday smoking a joint in front of a mall and kinda praying no cop would pass by stop and frisk me 😂😂 Once I read that cops in Japan """"struggle"""" with too little to be done, I imagine South Korea might be not so different

[@squarecymbals]

So glad you made this. This show really deepened an important conversation only to be co-opted by bs takes. Always love your uploads. Thanks again

[@randomstranger623]

Bro, I really wanna talk to the "this is a critique of communism, actually". I'm literally a capitalist bro, but man, you dumb. People are a little better when on good communist societies, by sharing anything they can. Up until famine. :/

[@squarecymbals]

@@randomstranger623 don't nobody care about whatever you're saying

[@thinkinggrin165]

"co-opted by bs takes" in my experience from my surounding in germany: "Dude! Did u see episode x. That was so cool. I thought Y would not make it. I hate Z. He/ She is so stupid. Well, when i would be playing it, i would totally own everyone." Currently most people see it with the lense of a spectacle for the spectacles sake. Sadly. 😰

[@giovannajacobus1474]

i really appreciate how kind you were about addicts. idk if the bar is low but thank you for being so understanding of gihuns addiction. it was really frustrating to watch ppl react to it as if it was pathetic and stuff

[@warbear3863]

It seems like people don't like people enough to set illness aside.

[@radiofloyd2359]

Yeah, it was fucked up seeing so many people genuinely unsympathetic to Gi Hun. I thought he was likeable from the moment that we learn that all the money he had made he had made with his daughter in mind.

[@monsieurdorgat6864]

Capitalism often relies on killing empathy - training people to scrutinize for reasons *not* to help others. Those who'd criticize Gi Hun clearly didn't get the point.

[@Alex-ri8xi]

It was rough to see in part, too because his gambling behavior is so contextually rational. Gi-hun wanted to get something nice for his daughter's birthday, and he didn't have the ability to do so in the way he felt she deserved before winning some money. So many "unsavory" behaviors like this that are so common among the poor are present because living in poverty actively encourages them. Even the gift that he gives his daughter was won, emphasizing his need to gamble in order to have anything that resembles the ability to financially provide for her.

[@dragonslair951167]

@@monsieurdorgat6864 I know exactly what you mean- just the other day, I was approached by a beggar asking me for $4, and though I gave it to her, I couldn't stop thinking about whether or not she was lying about her circumstances, and/or would spend the money on drugs or other luxuries instead of food, bills, medicine, etc.. And the thought alarmed me; why should my generosity be so conditional? Why can't I have faith in others that my aid will truly help them?

[@Emileigggggh]

I normally let videos sit in my Watch Later for like a month, but as soon as I got this notification I was like "OOOOH" so i'm watching now lol

[@awesomepossumdude]

Wtf i was literally just hating on myself for doing this?? So relatable

[@shushunk00]

I am not alone

[@isaurar7884]

I've really enjoyed your media critiques and am glad you made a video focusing on Squid Games. Most of the other videos I'd seen didn't touch on North Korean defectors and their treatment, and it was something I'd never heard of before. Thank you for continuing to create and share videos.

[@IshtarNike]

Yeah, basically no one mentioned that one interaction but it was like a gunshot when I heard it. Clear as day. South Korean capitalism is no better than North Korean dictatorship.

[@BasicLib]

@@IshtarNike I mean you surely cant actually believe this

[@Turahk]

@@IshtarNike yeah man, totally 🙄

[@Michaela_ZC]

I think that ending scene with the homeless man made me cry more than anything else in the show. The old dude has built his life around the idea that people will tear each other apart to get ahead, and he brought Gi-Hun there basically to rub that in his face before his death. But he was proven wrong, no matter how bad the world gets, people still want to help each other, and seeing that belief vindicated is what tells Gi-Hun he has to fight back against the games.

[@ever-openingflower8737]

But if Gi-Hun was so good, why didn't he immediately help the old man in the streets himself? He could have just gone down there, or if not that, at least made a phone call from where he was standing. I was a bit disappointed, because it showed that a mere conversation with your antagonist was more important than direct interference and taking direct action. If this scene was symbolic and to be seen as a metaphor, that's still kind of bad. The person who believes in the helpful nature of man is still in dialogue with the person who disputes the helpful nature of man, but the two are still caught in their dialogue and it's keeping them from acting. In the context of worker unions. Maybe instead of waiting for someone to come along and fix the system, workers should start acting now. I actually think that, whether intentional or not, in that scene in the tall building, Gi-Hun and the rich man have become the spectators and the old man out in the streets has become the (involuntary) player. By that, Gi-Hun has made himself an accomplice to the rich western investors. I thought that ending was a bit depressing, because it wasn't pointed out to him - you could have just helped the old man outside in the streets yourself.

[@UEDCommander]

Citizen of Russia here. When I watched Squid Game for the first time, I was amazed at how uncanny is similarity between the situation portrayed by the show and the period known in Russia as "the rakish 90s" - basically a timeframe between fall of the Soviet Union and early 2000ths when economy was agonising, organised crime at its highest, racketeering and extrortion widespread, police acting as corrupt enforcers for oligarchs who suddenly found themselves very wealthy and powerful. Judging by the series, it feels as if 90s never ended in South Korea.

[@TheMonkeystick]

I was always curious, and thank you if you take the time to answer this, how different is Putin's Russia compared to Yeltsin's Russia in this regard? And what would you say caused the changes? I've never heard it discussed from a Russian perspective

[@UEDCommander]

@@TheMonkeystick Well, the crime went way down, atlhough corruption still persists; public services are once again reliable; prices are manageable, albeit on the rise lately; infrastructure is in good condition. In my personal view, the living standards are still lower than during any part of the Soviet rule, but at least we are safe and secure, which is not something I would be able to say about the 90s. Turns out having actually competent leadership in charge can do wonders to your country.

[@J2Y3S2TH]

Just want to say South Korea isn't a bleak capitalist society portrayed in Squid Game. Sure, it still has many problems but saying '90s never ended in South Korea' isn't quite accurate. Flaws in South Korean society is far more nuanced than Squid Game. If it was such a brutal and oppressive nation, the creative minds of South Korea would never have been allowed to make the show in the first place. In fact, I wonder if places like modern day Russia would allow their artists to make a show like Squid Game that heavily criticizes its society or government. South Korea produces these kinds of media all the time, like Parasite, 1987 When the Day Comes, Taxi Driver (both movies about military dictatorship in 80s that brutally shot down protestors who spoke up for democracy), DP (very recent South Korean show depicting bullying and abuse that occur in Korean military and how government sweeps these problems under the rug), are just one of many example. Vast majority of Korean media is either romance drama or critique of SK society and government. South Korea has numerous problems but it isn't worse than other capitalist countries. It's just that the people there aren't shy about expressing it via movies or tv shows, even if it means the country may look worse to foreigners who may watch these shows.

[@basil7292]

@@J2Y3S2TH all capitalist societies are bleak

[@dvf1736]

@@basil7292 all societies are bleak since the dawn of society

[@laurenbastin8849]

there’s something reassuring about the growing number of explicitly anticapitalist films captivating the public consciousness, even if it does not provide any material contributions to revolution, it is at least comforting knowing people are still capable of understanding the sheer immorality of capitalist oppression

[@christiana5453]

Another vaguely anticapitalist film is “Dont Look Up” its really good

[@idomarek4259]

@@christiana5453 Is it? To me it felt mostly like democrats crying over loosing to Trump..

[@christiana5453]

@@idomarek4259 Did we watch the same movie??? Because it was a pretty overt allegory to the looming impact of climate change and how misinformation, political complacency, and capitalism will lead to the destruction of our world. But sure if you have the media literacy of a toddler, i can understand how that might’ve flown over your head

[@idomarek4259]

@@christiana5453 Ok. forgot this is the internet. my apology. Here is what I meant by that: The Allegory was indeed very overt, to the degree that it was almost insulting. It also lacked any depth or complexity, as allegories often do, and so its interpretation (as I see it) is as follows- the world is literally going to end, the republican party is just dumb people (very subtle references, we are so much cleverer than these sheep- like MAGA people) manipulated by corporations (not like us of course, we just do the reasonable things and listen to science), and in general there is nothing we can do about it because people are just to stupid to listen to science. That's it. In my opinion, even if we turn a blind eye to the very obvious contempt towards the masses this movie contains (which we probably shouldn't), this kind of reduction is unhelpful at best and dangerous at worst. Trump didn't come out of nowhere with a cult following of idiot MAGA conspiracists. He, along with his supporters, came from years of neglect by both the liberal and conservative establishment. They have a good reason to be skeptical of 'science' which to often is used to justify cruelty. they have a good reason to be unreasonable and cling to strongman leaders against the established status quo. But instead of looking honestly at the overarching problems in western society and government which got us into this mess of a situation, the movie avoids any introspection in favor of just dunking on trump supporters (oh and Facebook. or Apple? Spacex? not too sure about that. again foregoing any kind of actual insight in favor of dunking at something we don't like.). So. This is why I felt it was mostly democrats still bitter over losing to Trump. It doesn't offer a honest account of how we got here, it sees no way forward, it mocks anyone who douse not completely agree with it while pretending to not have any agenda other than literally saving the world. But hey, at least we have thanksgiving and Jesus.

[@tofu_golem]

We have to counter decades of intense propaganda first.

[@prestoncrawford9258]

I think the only thing I would have liked to see was Gi-hun realizing that he could have won the bet by helping the man in the snow himself. The lesson bring that we cannot fall prey to the bystander effect and hope that the world somehow fixes itself on the good will of a presumed, likely fictional, other. But instead the lesson be that we each need to be the change we all want to see in the world.

[@IshtarNike]

Yes!

[@Molly-ml1wn]

I've thought about this as well. I think any western storyteller would have made the choice to have Gi-Hun win the bet and complete his arc by rescuing the freezing homeless man. The reason I think that doesn't work, is that it then individualizes the failings and "successes" of capitalism and undermines much of the show's narrative. It's more meaningful that someone else save the man, but it's perhaps harder to accept as a western audience because we've been conditioned with capitalist propoganda that conflates wealth and morality.

[@prestoncrawford9258]

@@Molly-ml1wn interesting take, cuz I actually thought that the "leave it to someone else" mentality felt very hallmark channel-esque, which of course feels super capitalist. Like those feel good news stories that aren't actually feel good. Though, if I had my way, I would have had him lose the bet and the guy in the snow dies. Gi-hun would then have to confront the fact that he just let a man die in a game the same way the rich people did. Then season two he get presented with a nearly identical gamble, but this time he takes the responsibility and saves the person. Then third season, same thing, but this time he doesn't even need to take the bet because by the time the bet is offered there are already multiple people who Gi-hun has inspired saving whomever it is.

[@phangkuanhoong7967]

yup! that whole scene i keep thinking, "just go down and help him! screw that old fart!"

[@tigerguy529]

@@Molly-ml1wn that could be one possible interpretation of Gi Hun saving the man, I would see it more as an analogy of gaining class conciousness and engaging in direct action.

[@castillogrande8926]

Notice how his hair was dyed red in the end? Almost like he has class consciousness on the mind ;)

[@jbard9892]

Ugly as fuck, I was literally screaming "No! Don't go see your daughter with that hair! What are you thinking?"

[@rabidrabids5348]

The detail I probably like the most is how Il-nam (player 1 who owns the game) wants to "play" the game just like the victims do, but is never under any actual threat, thereby he's not really playing and doesn't and can't understand what it's like to be one of the players. To him, it really is just a game, and all the people who are murdered throughout? He doesn't give them a second thought.

[@ReneeMcNeely]

So wait you're saying that North Koreans aren't forced to all share one singular toothbrush? What other lies have I been taught about North Korea? /s

[@RoyalFusilier]

I really need to check out SquibGame; knowing vaguely how it turns out doesn't really spoil it for me, if anything it actually makes me want to see it more. Death game media is popular, but knowing that there's meaning behind the blood helps. I should have known by now, but I'm also very relieved that your discussion of topics like the Soviet Union and North Korea resisted easy thought-terminating cliches that are relentlessly drilled into us here in The West. Until a few years ago, "bread lines billions dead" memes were literally my only opinions on actually existing socialism. And I was only given reason to question these hegemonic narratives with worsening conditions and poor outcomes here in the "free world". We're all subject to circumstances.

[@jasonlara1943]

stalin himself said “one death is tragedy a millions is just a statistic. that tells you all ypu need to know. The soviet union didnt give a shit about its people. infact tons of evidence points that out. It not just western propaganda.

[@LowestofheDead]

13:14 A major auto company laid off 43% of workers (thousands of people). Police beat them violently for striking, then put them in millions of debt - confiscating homes and assets to pay for it. Then the workers were _barred from working at many other major companies.._ I've seen so many discussions of Squid Game, and this is the first to mention that critical fact. I don't even care if it explains Gi Hun's unemployment and gambling, it also explains how much power South Korea's businesses have.

[@gg_sam7847]

I've seen a few of those "North Korean tells us how great the USA is" videos and my god are they so fake

[@Magikalic]

Squid Game: comes a hair's breadth away from a character straight-up saying "capitalism is bad" shitty think pieces: actually i think it's saying that capitalism is actually very good!

[@IshtarNike]

My brain leaked out my ears when I read that shit.

[@FrozEnbyWolf150]

"Communism is when Capitalism does a bad!" --Pim Tool, et al

[@imatreebelieveme6094]

"Is Squid Game actually about Communism?" No. No it isn't. Just because you paint communism as the condition that late stage capitalism brings about doesn't mean that it is about your caricature of it. These thinkpieces are so dang dense.

[@g00gleisgayerthanaids56]

Was the patriot act patriotic? Seriously... squid game shows nothing even close to resembling a free market, the entire premise that their ability to quit = death. You ever been murdered for quitting your job? Yeah, didn't think so.

[@Magikalic]

@@g00gleisgayerthanaids56 hey pal, you know that a metaphor isn't literal right? just because someone doesn't literally shoot you when you loose your job doesn't mean that the effects aren't as serious. Gi-Hun couldn't hold down stable employment and when his mother became sick he couldn't pay for her healthcare, which was he reason to return to the games but by the time it's over she's already dead. She died (of a preventable illness) due to her lack of capital. It's extremely not subtle but somehow you still missed it.

[@Trokkin]

Your description of Gi-hun being the union man has brought me to tears without any buildup in a moment's notice, thank you for saying this values out loud so much. I've never heard of this concept, but I always had an identity of a union man and I forgot about how lonely it feels without like-minded people. Living in an overly-competitive and struggle-endorsing society segment have me repressing these values since childhood. Capitalism really does induce suffering as a system, wish more people saw into it.

[@TheCvl25]

I find it interesting how a lot of people sympathized with Sang-Woo, who represents the capitalist perspective, and even wanted him to win, despite the fact that Sang-Woo stole money from his mother, tricked and killed Ali, and also killed the North Korean girl. People say “oh he’s just doing whatever it takes to win” but I think the point the show is making is that throwing away your morality in pursuit of victory and material gain ends up making you into a monster. I also think it’s interesting how Sang-Woo had the ideal capitalistic life - great education, prestigious degree and job, but through illegal activity and bad investments he loses it all. As opposed to Gi-Hun, whose life is ruined largely by the system of capitalism destroying his life because he dared protest it. So I find it interesting because it makes sense that those with a capitalist mindset would view Sang-Woo - a prototypical capitalist who kills, cheats, exploits the system and ruthlessly aims to win the game so he can use that money to “make more money” - is seen by those viewers as more sympathetic, while they view Gi-Hun as a failure and deride him for putting unity and morality over monetary wealth. It goes to show how capitalism has caused many to think that individual achievement no matter the consequences is just and ideal, and that altruistic unity is “weakness”.

[@guy-sl3kr]

I think a lot of people just view the world through the eyes of a capitalist, whether they're aware of it or not. Though if this show can't make people reconsider their perspective, I don't know what will lol it's not subtle.

[@ashes.a5865]

I had sympathy for the main character from the very begining because of 3 years of unemployment i suffered from ... although not similar mental health, poverty, lack of support makes you do shit that you will bot consider in a normal condition

[@Molly-ml1wn]

Those hot takes at 0:23 are so frighteningly off-base. As metaphorically rich as Squid Game is, it is never subtle. The symbolism is deliberately inelegant and *blunt...* almost to the point of condescending. The only way to get it _that_ wrong is for someone to pay you to get it that wrong. Which I see as the best news of all: the capitalists are getting scared.

[@RoyalFusilier]

That's why I almost never go after any media for being blunt or dropping anvils.

[@Molly-ml1wn]

@@RoyalFusilier, oh absolutely. I adore subtlety and the bravery to risk going over the viewer's head. But in a world where even Paul Verhoven's caustic satire in _Starship Troopers_ went unnoticed by so many, bluntness stopped being something I held against a work, and become something I admired just as much as subtlety.

[@arich20]

scaring the capitalists is my new top bucket list item, thx

[@rockinroller25]

The age of metaphors and subtext is over. Now is the time of writing your message on a brick and hitting someone in the face with it. Look at what happened when reactionaries watched The Matrix they co-opted the red pill and while claiming they’re awakened they just say shit sounding like Agent Smith.

[@iexist1300]

in my opinion they know that it's about capitalisim, but they want to have a contrarian hot take that will make their readers think they are smart.

[@angela_merkeI]

1:45 I know it's a joke but I wanna pedantically clarify: In Russian it's "Новый советский человек" "new Soviet human/person"

[@tyaz6556]

Man can be used to mean human in the english language, think of the word mankind.

[@angela_merkeI]

@@tyaz6556 I know, but it makes it unclear whether the original says "man" (male human) or human in general.

[@roseclouds5838]

I know a lot of people (esp in the west) don’t like it but I personally loved the ending and the choice he made, a second season feels like it would be doomer inducing that shot of him turning away from boarding the plane tells you so much about his character and his reignited motivation to not just give in

[@RoyalFusilier]

It's like Danganronpa V3, where the creator realized there was only one genuinely hopeful way to end a series about death games.

[@devilofether6185]

I fully agree with you, but our ape brains want to see Giyun (?) reunite with his daughter, he doesn't have to sacrifice his mission, just acknowledge that he still loves her, but that may slow down the pace of the final scene.

[@Nimonacore]

I am the only big brained westerner for understanding the ending of squid game

[@roseclouds5838]

@@Nimonacore no I meant that I discussed it with a couple of friends and they all seemed to be mad at the ending for him not taking his individual success and leaving relax a little and realise that most people have actual friends and family who they talk to and realise common themes with (plus my kr online friends all seemed to have no problem and didn’t want a sequel)

[@ComCommie]

To me it also very much looks like sequel bait which considering it's perception in the West I'm not too hopeful will have the same strong messaging if there's a second season

[@fishyfish1917]

Meanwhile, Tim Pool: "I dont think its overtly political", "Its more anticommunist than anything", "It's actually about communism, the creator is really dumb and doesnt know what he's critiquing".

[@Comrade_Chloe]

Thank you so much for bringing up the National Security Act with Kant Sae-byeok. I feel like a lot of people missed the point of her silence without having knowledge of that law.

[@masteroftheart5548]

Me: very drunkenly trying to explain the connection between Ali’s inability to know Korean playground games as a comparison to how US IQ tests viewed those who did not know popular culture as being stupider. My friend who deals with my BS: I get it are you wanting another drink, Me: you’re god damn right.

[@GrandArchPriestOfTheAlgorithm]

As the Grand Archpriest of the Church of the Algorithm, I comment you to engage with this video.

[@TheSparrowLooksUp]

That name is rad

[@alizetvargas]

Preach!

[@RageTyrannosaurus]

All hail.

[@Jasonblade9012]

This was a great breakdown of this fantastic show. I also wanted to mention the episode titled “Hell” which happens entirely out of the game, in real life. Like the Squid Game while brutal and awful are more honest than real life. And after most of them wanting out after Green Light, Red Light, most of them come back to the games. I also think a lot about the PTSD scene. It really gave another depth to the protagonist. Of course he was likable before but after this scene, you really sympathize with him. I mean there should be more essay about this show.

[@billyvalentine4466]

This dude makes the most rousing content off of shit that usually yields a feeling of hopelessness for me. Please never stop.

[@Andrew-ko2ps]

Such an awesome Marxist breakdown of this show. Revolutionary optimism in the face of abject misery. No one seemed to get this show like you did, with the correct analysis. Let this be a call to action to unite and take power in order to end this suffering

[@tenmanX]

This is definitely NOT a "Marxist" breakdown. It is anti-capitalist, though. Idealist. Anarchist. Even anti-Marxist. There are lots of pointers in the video. "Middle class", "'Post-Soviet' Man", the PC sneer at the "New Soviet Man" gendering, etc. "Revolutionary optimism" is not unique to Marxism. The most critical give-away is the total absence of a materialist dialectic.

[@FGCfoof]

Thank you for making this. I had a feeling there were some politics and historical references that flew over my head in the show (like the auto strike), and I don't think I've seen any other reviewers touch on that.

[@ferretlord2287]

Seems like a good show. I've read so much about it and watched so many videos analyzing it, but I've never actually seen the show because... well, capitalism. Netflix, specifically.

[@Sephirajo]

No I will not take this. You, my friend, are a ferret. Find a copy through a jolly roger and drag it to your spot with all your shinies! Ripping off netflix as you do so. In minecraft.

[@icicloui]

I'm assuming the "PTSD as a direct result of Capitalism" twist is significant, especially seeing how it affected a couple of people I know, but it also made me realise how beyond needing that I am, at this point. I refused to ever see Gi Hun as anything other than a victim of the system, from the very beginning. Even if all his misery was caused solely by his brain being wired towards short-time rewards and him being unable to overcome it, that is not enough for me to see it as "his fault". That mind being incompatible with capitalism is capitalism's fault, not the minds. It was still useful because I didn't know about the specific incident referenced, so points all around

[@daniellewasdelayed8921]

Honestly, I was completely sold on him the moment that he stopped to help the person he knocked down while **running for his life from the debt-collectors**. If he kept on running and didn't lose so much distance, there's a significant chance that he could've gotten away. But no, he did some harm and stopped to fix it the best he could. That it ended up being Sae-byeok, and that her pickpocketing is what seemingly led to the invitation to the game (signing away his physical rights) makes it all the more powerful that he stuck with her to the end.

[@icicloui]

@@daniellewasdelayed8921 that was definitely his "save the cat" moment. A very important beat in narrative stortelling, if the author wants us to root for someone grey. So we know, this is not a 100% evil person, they can be redeemed, the humanity inside shines for just a second to let us know. But here's the thing: I guess the real issue I have with these constructs is when we try to apply them in real life narratives: this child murderer, this parent who criminally neglected their kid, this "edgy" celeb who spewed racist screeds -*those* kinds of people are beyond redemption, they deserve all the punishment. And it's not because the crime was necessarily too severe, but because we didn't get a humanising moment of them in the narrative we consumed. We never saw them save the cat. And we can see the reverse when some criminals *are* given humanising moments, especially in front of juries, and suddenly, the crimes don't seem that evil, they don't seem that disconected -suddenly you can empathise. It happens a lot to white boys standing trial for violence -if the defendand can persuade the jury their client did, indeed, save the cat, they've practically won. This fails the people being demonised, but it also fails everyone else, who might fall into the same trap the next time -because this system is a revolving door of people doing the most horrific shit to stay alive or move forward, and someone will always fill that role. And they won't usually get our empathy. We don't see most anyone's "saving the cat" moments, unless we know them personally -but everyone's "sins" are usually on full display, as it's something that capitalism exaggerates. Gi-Hun deserved a fulfilling life even if he had stepped over Sae-byeok, even if he deliberately hurt her to win some time, even if he killed her by doing so -you know what I mean? I don't need anyone to prove to me they're not grey -I believe they deserve to survive even if they're fully coded as "evil" - as beyond redemption, by my mind's narrative, and by society's. Jang Deok-su, for example, deserves to live and flourish just like Gi-Hun does, just like Sae-byeok does. Yes, he's an asshole, only inserted into the narrative to be the most prominent example of normal people doing the kind of evil that justifies severe punishment: and yet, I argue, he deserves a life too. Because I know the real-life Jang Deok-su "saved the cat" at some point, because we all have, because nobody is a souless evil machine. I don't need to see it -this life is not a theatre for my amusement, I just need to make sure everyone gets to live, cuz everyone is alive.

[@daniellewasdelayed8921]

@@icicloui I 100% agree. When it comes to fiction, I'm a little more black-and-white than irl because I know they're written with intenions and mechanics in the plot; Deok-su is there to be a horrible asshole who uses his power of Male Dominance and Being A Misogynist to get ahead, where both of his downfalls (pre-games and in the games) was seeing the consequences when the artifice of hierarchy is pulled away. When put on equal footing with someone else, like when his gender-opposite Han Mi-nyeo (a woman who is loud, manipulative, uses her body, doesn't care about others, all in very similar ways that Deok-su does but is called a bitch because of it), he is easily defeated. If he was a real person, I would want the best for him. Everyone deserves shelter, food, clothes, etc, even assholes and bigots. 'But these aren't real people, they're walking plot machines, so why not look at them like that?' is what I think to myself. A good amount of that is probably my autism taking things at face value or wanting to know how things *mechanically* work in order to feel assured and comforted by the lack of surprise. Gi-hun gets a Save The Cat moment because the show needs us to empathize with him. Deok-su not being as fleshed out is honestly a bit of a shame and it hurts the message at least a little (though for us deeper in this stuff, it's obvious that he probably became this shitheel because of social pressures and financial issues), but it all works pretty well regardless.

[@almaskussembayev8972]

Do not equate the English word man to Russian word человек. The Russian language does not equate the word 'man' to mean both human and a man. In Russian we only have separate word for human - человек (chelovek) used for both men and women. The word мужчина for man only means adult of masculine gender. Soviets used the word новый советский человек (new Soviet human). Also the USSR had women suffrage way before the capitalist countries of the West.

[@isidoreaerys8745]

Omg I related to Seong Gi-Hyun IMMEDiATELY. As a unemployed Man - child who lost my job in a failed industry to middle class parents I immediately related

[@Jobe-13]

Ok that story about thousands of South Koreans protesting being laid off is really sad and infuriating.

[@urthofthenewsun8465]

I love how so many people asked “What was the symbolism behind him dyeing his hair red?” and the creator was like “Don’t worry about it lol.”

[@vanforsman]

The old man, Oh Il-nam, along with the other spectator-sponsors seem like a pretty direct metaphor to the corporate people who sponsor the show, as well as a large part of its audience. People who watch the show for the spectacle of the desperation of the exploited poor. I think it anticipates the dehumanizing racial-capitalist view of South Koreans dying for American entertainment

[@georgealden1475]

Thank you for this context. That strike content was huge for this show and nobody is talking about this.

[@iexist1300]

I have seen one video that talked about it.

[@nataschavisser573]

The strikers being penalised and fined resonates with me. Here in South Africa after the Marikana miners were massacred by the police, a number of the surviving strike leaders were charged with manslaughter or incitement of violence, I can't remember which. There was such a public outcry when this became public knowledge that the charges was dropped.

[@uriahhammock3731]

Real role models are flawed

[@DavidADII]

This sort of "hero fantasy" about the protagonist whose faith in the humanity and kindness of others reaches superheroistic levels was also what got me into anime back as a kid. It always struck me as strange how that kind of messaging differed in our comics here in the US; where because our superheroes are so specifically godlike they are made 'other', where an anime protagonist's unbreakable, unwavering faith seems like an (perhaps unrealistic but) attainable ideal exemplar of virtue. Despite all it's pretty bad messaging, the series stuck with me for that message of no matter how bad things are for someone that they still believe in people. Squid Game reminds me of some of those series.

[@awesomepossumdude]

That scene where the masked guy reveals himself to his brother and shoots him off a cliff, it was impossible not for me to feel like I hope my real life brother would stand up and never for any reason shoot me off a cliff like that in real life. Scared the shit out of me for a moment

[@SylvanBL00d]

I get SO EXCITED when there is a new video from KAY & SKITTLES

[@KayAndSkittles]

HELL YEAH

[@arich20]

@@KayAndSkittles same

[@johnoslie9907]

Jessie Gender sent me here, and couldn't be happier about it.

[@deadmanreading3152]

I remember having a conversation with a co-worker about this show and he kept implying it was their fault for "choosing," to go back. I kept trying to point-out they were in ruinous debt and were exploited. I even tried to say "Come on how much "choice" do we have in coming to work?" For context the guy wasn't even trying to be mean it's a very "low-skill," job so it attracts a lot of special needs people. But he just looked off blankly murmuring, "Yeah, but... they chose to go back." We're so hypnotized that it can never be capitalism's fault. It's not that it's rigged you're just not "trying," hard enough.

[@TianZhaoHeavenlyFortune]

I'm so glad you're educating the American masses on this! Citizens of the American Empire need more edutaining content like this so that they can get their heads out of the gutters of their propagandized selves. They need this kind of deprogramming. To educate the American masses on how South Korea was/is a puppet state of the American Empire for example is absolutely awesome! So glad you did that! To say "Developed Capitalist Nation" in the air-quotes way you did was simply sublime! To talk about Leftist ideology in such a way that is digestable, consumable, and accessible to the American masses is superb! So glad you called out how easily brainwashed the American masses are to hating North Korea especially by highlighting the absurd claims made by that one barbie doll of a defector (I regret to say I've met her before, but I met her pre-plastic-surgery and she was actually more believable then than her now CIA-funded lifestyle "sighs") Absolutely love that line "for the defectors, they're still in prison here with everyone else"!

[@Sephirajo]

It annoys me how many people will just listen to Ms Park without checking ANYTHING she says or where her money comes from, or the fact she was from a landed and monied old family. Like two seconds of research if that. :/

[@TianZhaoHeavenlyFortune]

@@Sephirajo Can't agree more! Next thing you know she's going to start saying North Korea bans breathing and people are going to believe her.

[@guy-sl3kr]

@@Sephirajo Shitting on socialism is an evergreen grift here in the states. She can say literally anything bad about the DPRK and get paid butt tons for it & get plastered all over every media outlet in the country. It's effortless money.

[@gloverfox9135]

Cope and seethe and go ahead and live in North Korea if you think it’s so great

[@whataboutme8206]

I love how Joe Rogan just accepts that story uncritically. No thoughts head empty.

[@Merudinnn]

Ive only ever loved one Korea in my entire life, and it certainly aint SOUTH korea.

[@Emileigggggh]

As a disabled person, there is something a little weird to me about the concept of the New Soviet Man. I mean, it is true that people would get stronger and all if their needs are met, but something about it makes me a little uncomfortable/ashamed? and as a result I very much prefer the "post-Soviet man" you talk about at the end: we can't undo any physical and mental traumas that our societies have put us through, and those societies have even programmed us to be flawed in many ways, but we can actively choose to unify with each other and do whatever it is we can. We don't have to be perfect beings (although I would love a world where physical and mental pain aren't so prevalent), but despite our "imperfections," we can care for each other and believe in each other and do everything we can to hold onto the hope of making things better, even if we're afforded the rare privilege to not need things to be better for our own material comforts and needs.

[@Emileigggggh]

(And great vid!)

[@yopassthefuckinsalt922]

From my interpretation of the concept, it was meant to represent the greater potential of a person under socialism compared to _themselves_ under the crushing poverty of capitalism, and since the improvement of the quality of life and expansion of opportunities would apply to everyone, every person would become their _own_ New Soviet Man. So, I can't quite understand the reason you feel this way about the idea (though I of course respect the way you feel about it). Could you elaborate on it, if you're comfortable doing so?

[@audunms4780]

You could wery mutch be a New sovjet Man, you hawe manny abilities i could only dream of, for example being articulate. We may be imperfect as individuals, but together we will be peek perfection.

[@thatdudeoverthere2188]

@@audunms4780 wtf

[@sunnyblossom_711]

what you're describing is actually the background concept of the New Soviet Person so I'm unsure what made you uncomfortable. we have the ability to actualize our hopes: from each according to ability to each according to need. I would also appreciate clarification if you get to it.

[@Beesativity]

Never give up on believing in the best of the human condition. I like that message. We have no other choice. Great video Kay ❤

[@japoonboals718]

How are there no views and two likes. I don't think I've ever been this early. But thanks for making the content you do. Found you through your Korra videos, and I have loved everything of yours i've seen since. Especially your Disco elysium video. That video gives me feels.

[@ProneOyster]

I am a bit surprised by how common the sentiment of "the police detective side story was pointless" is. To me it was a clear message about how the system dehumanizes you to such a degree that if you succeed, you're most likely to become an oppressor yourself because that's all you know by now

[@golgarisoul]

Based and Foucault Pilled

[@StorieswithBilly]

This is probably the best video on squid game I have seen

[@eve36368]

I was gonna be like as someone who didn't watch this show that this was gonna be a spicy take... I think 2 things are to be said: USSR looked to science when science was still seeped in eugenicist colonization (Foucault was indeed responding to the eugenicist policies against queer+ people), you combatted the reaganite-consumerist stereotypes of USSR being about sameness. You handled this very subtly & tactfully. I liked & appreciated that. Thank you!

[@BeautifulEarthJa]

That union story. Had my eyes open in the night. I have to look it up. Oh. My. God.

[@arich20]

I am so grateful to have learned about the 2009 strike and fall out. This is atrocious. Can't say I'm surprised, just continually angry and disappointed. I don't know how I ever would have heard about this without the film, and this video.

[@Kar-Kan]

More accurate term is "soviet human", (or homo sovieticus) not "soviet man". Its linguistics - "Sovietski cheloviek" (rus.)

[@user-sm5sj6mg2t]

Schools are like prisons, which are in turn like factories, which are in turn like hospitals, which are, in turn, like schools. - Michel Foucault

[@saampam894]

But, after all, listening to a child, hearing him speak, hearing him explain what his relations actually were with someone, adult or not, provided one listens with enough sympathy, must allow one to establish more or less what degree of violence if any was used or what degree of consent was given. And to assume that a child is incapable of explaining what happened and was incapable of giving his consent are two abuses that are intolerable, quite unacceptable. - Michel Foucault

[@nickolasname5960]

Splatoon Also I think one of the reasons this show is such an effective critique is because, in a way, it shows a glorified version of capitalism: - Instead of doing some god-awful, boring job, you're playing kids games, which are significantly more fun - While the games are often unfair, the unfairness isn't due to bigotry or "being born wealthy", but rather just kinda arbitrary - Instead of the implicit, slow death of being put into poverty, you're kinda just shot dead on the spot I think this is important because a lot of anti-capitalist media shows a sort of hyper-capitalist dystopia where everything is cranked up to eleven, but this kinda just makes it so the criticism isn't of capitalism as it currently is, but of what it could one day be. Instead, by glorifying capitalism, Squid Game can say "no, you don't need to make capitalism worse to condemn it, you could even fix a lot of its issues and it'll still suck"

[@humanwithaplaylist]

This was such a good break down. Probably the best I've seen yet

[@user-zv6cf3km6h]

Mashallah good video

[@forever-and-a-day2043]

Just watched this again after a man who wrote a poem that praised NK in the south was imprisoned for 14 months on the basis of the national security law. Only a couple of news outlets gave it even a mention.

[@SteveJubs]

Your analysis is always leagues above that of even some of my favorite media critics on this platform and it is very much appreciated, sir.

[@BigRussianCatWithFloppyEars]

What i find scary is how many, Including young people, (im 21) do not understand this message, all they seem to see is ,,oh cool, killing for money." Especially like mr beast making a parody of squid game wich is like literally sh*ts on the Series entire message. Like dystopia have become nothing but entertainment. Is this capitalist realism and ideology?

[@idomarek4259]

It seems to me that mass consumption media, even when trying to criticize capitalism (and some of it does so brilliantly), is bound to be understood in the context of consumption. It will, in the end, serve a purpose of entertainment, where some will enjoy its clever critique and others just enjoy the esthetics, but ultimately everyone enjoy it as a destruction from the boredom and powerlessness of the everyday routine.

[@Jasonblade9012]

Give them a couple of years at work and they will understand. At your age, I was not comfortable with the system but still had expectations. Couple of years after I was done.

[@eve36368]

there are 3 gists i want to share: - this series to me is like "The Hunger Games" series adapted to The Great Recession era as opposed to the George W Bush warhawk/coldwar era - i compared "the lottery" by shirley jackson to the game show "dead or no deal" as a kid - i was a lot more aware of how society had wardrums & hoopla prepping kids to salute the military & invasions. while it should be known that this meant i had wildly more sensitive interpretations of all of these works including gym class games like dodgeball (PS: which i compared to civil war reenactments), i was also not immune to propaganda, not immune to hoopla, not immune to the overton window's normalizations. so "squid game" "shouldn't be shown to kids" because either they would revolt like prisoners, like at attica & ludlow (with similar suppression efforts), or else they would embrace the rankism & be more explicitly into the eugenicist rankism at schools. people live on autopilot.

[@gedeonnunes5626]

Yeah, you go to the comment section of any Squid Game review and what people usually take from the show is how _humanity is cruel_ in a vague sense

[@g00gleisgayerthanaids56]

Well when they claim it as a critique of capitalism and then show you an authoritarian dictatorship closer to historic communist states, then the message of course becomes muddied and proponents of capitalism will exploit it as they should.

[@seekingabsolution1907]

Sucks that the DPRK is often framed as the more aggressive in the Korean rivalry but those laws saying you can't say anything good about the north tell me that it's a mutual thing.

[@socracle2774]

Ooh This is really fucking good wow Good job

[@guillaumekaas6505]

I FINALLY understand the real message of Gi-Hun (and sorry if I spelled it wrong)! Thanks! You deserve way more success, by the way. It's the kind of perspective we're lacking.

[@LegendsP137]

The year is 2029 KZbin King Mr. Beast does his annaly Beast Games. No one 《 REDACTED》 in the arsenic pit this year. Everyone gets $200 win or lose. We all love the games. The games keep us safe. The critics are just haters 《REDACTED》just doest love his work enough. He planted tree and saved the seas. Mr. Beast will save me too.

[@racewiththefalcons1]

Comment for the machine overlords that determine how (or if) this video is seen. It should be seen by all.

[@loginlost_horizon6327]

1:55 word "man" as human and word "man" as "male" are two different words in russian, so when it says "Soviet Man" it includes women too, because it is more of a "Soviet Human" by its definition.

[@hollyhaunted6502]

Thank you for explaining the actual history and real-world significance of these plot points. You actually clarified a lot for me. I had no idea that the strike in the show was real until now. This was better than yet another video pointing out obvious “easter eggs.”

[@steampunkerella]

good vid. westerners are rarely brave enough to defend the dprk, good on ya

[@Vivec]

Been anticipating this one, buzzing to watch it!

[@PesteNegro]

Though lots of ppl told me that squid game is a good series, I didn't watch it. Your review made me a little curious about it but I'm really tired of narratives being so dependents on violence to tell the story they're trying exactly because the violence becomes the protagonist. I'll try it sometime in the future, probably when I forget the spoilers in here, but I must say I'll try it because of your video hahah good work!

[@scytheslash]

this is a very good point a lot of art uses violence to "shake people out of their stupor", or "wake them up" but it often numbs them to the subtle points the art is pointing out and at worst breeds reactionary takes like the "shock culture" of the 90s/00s in American media (Jackass, Howard Stern, the rise and rise of stand up comedy as a hallowed American tradition etc) People are also very used to turning off their brains when exposed to violence in media, enabling them to notice some stuff the art might be showing but only if it is extremely unsubtle. And that requires a lot of repeat training. That in turn implies sequels, and we all know what happens with sequels. It's a losing proposition. Art is primarily designed to be sold. Any modifications made to sneak in a message behind the advert will have to weather the test of consumer satisfaction (almost nil) and face a barrage of reactionary, hostile takes (which starts from the day the trailer drops). A lot of people on twitter, youtube (breadtube whatever) are then faced with the task of dismantling the reactionary, hot-take atmosphere around these media just to ensure that the message isn't corrupted. Honestly, i get why not saying "it's hopeless" is important. But it's better to be silent when someone asks if it isn't.

[@PesteNegro]

@@scytheslash some time ago I was thinking about that numbness, if it may or may not get people tired and fed up of the same type of content being push over and over our faces. The thing that scares me is that, nowadays, the popular taste is really guided and ruled by algorithms in so many aspects of our lives that it by itself overwhelms our comprehension. So, even if some of us get tired of that, the idea of choosing without the help of an algorithm has become increasingly an exception. I feel like in a general sense it's something that is here to stay because in a general sense there will always be more people into it than out, and I also feel like we're being dragged into this for a purpose. There are two things that people long today: sense of community and to feel less. Sense of community is dangerous to those in power, so anything that enhances the second without leading to the first might be considered an optimal choice

[@pointynoodle]

To be fair, the old man was in danger in the night time fights and the tug-of-war game

[@DiThi]

I don't think he was that much in danger, they could have rigged the game in many ways. In the worst case scenario I think the man could release himself, lighs would have gone off, then a fake body would be dropped on the floor. In fact after writing this comment I checked and there was a clue right there: He doesn't have a padlock on the wrist.

[@Drowzee64]

While Squid Game is clearly critiquing capitalism and the socioeconomic conditions of South Korea, I don't think I got "North Korea Good" out of its narrative, either. Squid Game is just saying shit in SK sucks because of capitalism and U.S. imperialism, to the point where someone who fled NK because of how bad NK sucks can't even say if SK is better. A pro-DPRK reading of Squid Game is simply not supported by the text. And honestly? The show's anti-capitalist message is stronger for it. Very few people in the West believe North Korea is good. It's easier to focus on the more relatable message of "Capitalism Sucks", if you want your message to be received well by audiences in capitalist countries such as SK and America. I think Squid Game threads that needle very well. (I'm responding more to some of the comments I'm reading than the video itself, which is very well put together))

[@farty555]

Exceptional video! Lots to chew on with this show, a tru masterpiece of visual media, Squid Game arrived at the perfect time.

[@eqcgamer]

Something that you analysis strikes me where others dont is that you get the meaning of that twist ending that most people hate. A lot of people just get carried away by the bad feels of a "cute old character" that was in reality the big bad guy, just focusing on the words of the CEO of "equality" and how that is broken with such a twist. In you case you clearly related that on how we get to be told that lie so we can sleep at night, while in reality if someone with more power and money wants to fuck up my job because some extra pennies will do it regardless of the law. In my country for example (Argentina) we had the worst kind of president, a neoliberal called Menem. He always talked shit about being equal and how getting the dollar 1 to 1 peso was for the people to have power and nationalism, but of course he was doing that just to put the country in a irreparable debt while selling national property to some rich fucks from europe or eeuu. Even after his death, some people consider him a hero and thats the sour note that leaves for my case in squid game.

[@LogicGated]

Of course those articles would try and finagle a critique of communism. I saw Tim pool engage in serious mental gymnastics to come to that conclusion as well.

[@Namlessnomad]

Video essays like this help give me hope that a new generation is willing to keep pushing humanity forward; despite climate catastrophes, anti-worker policies, and capitalist greed.

[@phangkuanhoong7967]

I believe this is probably the most important TV show of our times. Great vid as always! thank you!

[@scarylion1roar]

The pink jumpsuits stay in Munger Hall

[@Clam176]

This video deserves far more attention. This is definitely the best Squid Game video I've seen on the platform.

[@lawandeconomics1]

Thank you for the video! In Russian, the purported Soviet Man is actually Soviet Person (chelovek). So it includes women. You were even showing a picture of both sexes stepping confidently off the cliff of the second half of the 20th century.

[@jamesmurray449]

what does he mean by "I see what they did here." @8:58. Can someone explain?

[@therevolutionwillhavebanjos]

Its basically a 1 to 1 comparison to the idea that your luck in a capitalist society is based on the family and conditions youre born in and for the majority of people the "game was rigged from the start" much like how the contestants in round 2 of squid game were pretty much fucked over before the game began just by the choice of the shape they chose that they had no idea would make their chance of survival less

[@jamesmurray449]

@@therevolutionwillhavebanjos thanks. that was really great

[@managingbusiness141]

Brilliantly said! Your videos are just the most thoughtful and enlightening, I really appreciate the effort you always put into them.

[@lillianharris1568]

Forever still quoting that specific O'Brian line

[@Mad_Computer_Scientist]

Unfortunately I haven't read much into the propaganda about the "New Soviet Man", but as a polyglot, I smell a little mistranslation from the Russian word "Человек", which can mean both "man" and "human". Given that women were allowed into military, the statue also featuring a woman, and soviet propaganda advertising, that women should also acquire scientific positions like chemists and stuff, makes me guess that it was meant as "The New Soviet Human" instead of "New Soviet Man". But I could be wrong about it, I don't know all the advertisement and propaganda of the USSR.

[@GwildorS]

Great analysis as always. Although this show is so brazenly open with its critique that maybe this time it was a bit easier to analyse than, say, Legend of Korra. So much stuff in this show, I felt you could've gone double the length and still not covered all. For example, the character Abdul Ali, or the voting system that allows to at any time stop the game. But maybe it was a good idea to keep the video relatively short. One thing you touched upon and I found interesting is that the henchmen are in their own cells and are not allowed to talk with each other, and wear masks. This severely limits their ability to organize themselves, although they still do on a small scale (the organ trade for example). This means they cannot be relied on to start an uprising to break out of the game, an uprising has to come from the participants instead, who do have the ability to organize themselves. I'm not sure what real life situation this is a metaphor for. Perhaps it is supposed to portray that the middle class, while some individuals might be sympathetic and can be allies, will never start a revolution, as they are made complicit of the capitalist system. A revolution needs to come from the working class or else it will never succeed. The working class needs to learn to empower, to organize and to govern itself so that it can free itself through the revolution. If the working class doesn't learn this, then the revolution will collapse the moment the working class is in power.

[@dithaingampanmei]

This must be left side of youtube that people were talking about. And let me tell you, you guys are vague to the point of annoyance. I think that's the lefts weakness. You use esoteric language, and don't seem to tolerate theoretical ignorance, even if it comes from someone who couldn't possibly know this crap. And that's what gives the left this haughty, academic snob vibe.

[@GwildorS]

@@dithaingampanmei If you have any specific question, I'm all ears. I don't agree with the image "don't seem to tolerate theoretical ignorance" you seem to have of me. Was there anything in my comment that gave off that vibe?

[@TheAngryMarshmallow]

Wow I have yet to see this take. Thank you for the new info. 🖤 Love your videos

[@MarxistMogger]

shame this show got fucking comodotized till it meant nothing beyond funny plushies tiktok video.

[@yamamotohiromori419]

This is just beautiful...

[@THEREDAKAY]

Your videos are so so f'n good and make me feel smarter. I thank Skittles for the in depth analysis and Kay for the amazing narration!

[@eucalypso4388]

amazing video. thank you for making it (and thanks to jessie for leading me here).

[@estebanmartinez5930]

People who think Squid Game is about socialism, are people who don't understand socialism

[@FourElemental]

Then what is socialism? Is socialism when people die?

[@estebanmartinez5930]

@@FourElemental Well you should read socialist theory for a better explanation, but it's when people are the owners of the meens of production and the goverment is the insitution in charge of the distribution of this for better working conditions.

[@bluephoenixplays9824]

Countries Laos, Vietnam, China, DPRK, and Cuba, are the countries that represents the Legacy of USSR. What a country not tied down capitalism can achieve despite lacking resources to do so. Example like DPRK and Cuba having the best health care and education systems in the world. China being most advance country in the world with infrastructure and economic growth unheard off since the days of USSR. I am just hopeful more countries will be freed from the clutches of capitalism and western Imperialism.

[@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus]

China is capitalist unfortunately...

[@bluephoenixplays9824]

@@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus China is not capitalist. Their a socialist state with market economy like vietnam. The state is run by a vanguard party and etc.

[@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus]

​@@bluephoenixplays9824 Chinese corporations are privately owned by capitalists. There is no public ownership or worker control. Chinese capitalists exploit their workers freely, and many places in China have some of the worst working conditions on the planet as a result. China even prohibits workers from unionising. I really do not see how China is socialist in any way.

[@bluephoenixplays9824]

@@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus what timeline are you living in?

[@wasserruebenvergilbungsvirus]

@@bluephoenixplays9824 The real one, unfortunately, in which China introduced a myriad of capitalist "reforms".