June 26, 2025
“Capitalist Realism”
I recently started reading a book called “Capitalist Realism” by Mark Fisher. I just finished reading Chapter 1, but found it very difficult to understand, so I got help with the content from ChatGPT. As I understand it, the author is proposing the following about the current situation in capitalist society in Chapter 1:
The influence of capitalism on the modern mind and social structure is overwhelming. Success in modern capitalism is measured only on the narrow scale of wealth, prestige, and social status, so very few people qualify as winners, and most people are considered unsuccessful losers. Everyone is wired to feel like they're losing. While independence and freedom, which are not found in totalitarianism, are held up as ideals, people have no choice but to accept the reality that a society other than capitalism is impossible to imagine, and they fall into a state of social slavery. They cannot imagine a world different from the present, and just live in a dystopia of lack of hope. Respecting independence dismantles communities and weakens networks of mutual support, leading to an increase in people who are physically free but mentally lonely.
At first, I was impressed by the author’s pessimistic views, but later I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets. She must follow the company's orders if she doesn't want to quit her job. It’s a shame that she cannot buy and wear any other companies' jewelry and it may remain the same until she retires. As Mark Fisher says, she is forced to live in a capitalist society that enslaves her.
最近、マーク・フィッシャー著の『資本主義リアリズム』という本を読み始めた。第1章を読み終えたところだが、非常に難解だったので、ChatGPTに解説してもらった。私の理解では、著者は第1章で、資本主義社会の現状について次のような提言をしている。
資本主義が現代社会の精神と社会構造に与える影響は計り知れないものがある。現代資本主義における成功は、富、名声、社会的地位といった狭い尺度でのみ測られるため、勝者と呼べる人はごくわずかで、ほとんどの人は敗者とみなされ、誰もが負けているという感覚に陥っている。全体主義にはない自立や自由が理想として掲げられる一方で、人々は資本主義以外の社会は想像不可能であるという現実を受け入れざるを得ず、社会的隷属状態に陥っている。彼らは現状とは異なる世界を想像できず、希望を失ったディストピアの中で生きるしかない。自立を尊重することで、コミュニティを解体し、相互扶助のネットワークを弱体化させ、物理的には自由でも精神的には孤独な人々を増やすことにつながる。
最初は著者の悲観的な見方に驚いたが、私の知人の宝石店の店長が、毎月の売上目標を達成できないと、自分の店の商品を買わなければならないといつも愚痴をこぼしているのを思い出して、少し納得した。彼女が仕事を辞めたくないのであれば、会社の命令に従わなければならない。他社の宝石を買ったり身につけたりできないのは気の毒だし、もしかしたら定年まで同じ状況が続くかもしれない。マーク・フィッシャーが言うように、彼女は自分を奴隷のように扱う資本主義社会で生きることを強いられているのだ。
“Capitalist Realism”
I recently started reading a book called “Capitalist Realism” by Mark Fisher.
I just finished reading Chapter 1, but found it very difficult to understand, so I got help with the content from ChatGPT.
As I understand it, the author is proposing the following about the current situation in capitalist society in Chapter 1: The influence of capitalism on the modern mind and social structure is overwhelming.
Everyone is wired to feel like they're losing.
Good use of "wired to"! One thing to note, though, is that it doesn't have a negative connotation that 「陥っている」can have!
While independence and freedom, which are not found in totalitarianism, are held up as ideals, people have no choice but to accept the reality that a society other than capitalism is impossible to imagine, and they fall into a state of social slavery.
They cannot imagine a world different from the present, and just live in a dystopia of lack of hopehopeless dystopia.
At first, I was impressed (or surprised) by the author’s pessimistic views, but later I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets.
'impressed' has a connotation of 「感嘆」-- 'surprised' would better fit 「驚いた」
She must follow the company's orders if she doesn't want to quit her job.
It’s a shame that she cannot buy and wear any other companies' jewelry and it may remain the same until she retires.
As Mark Fisher says, she is forced to live in a capitalist society that enslaves her.
Feedback
Good summary and thoughts! It's sad to see connections in our real world today!
June 26, 2025
Thank you so much!
|
“Capitalist Realism” This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
I recently started reading a book called “Capitalist Realism” by Mark Fisher. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
I just finished reading Chapter 1, but found it very difficult to understand, so I got help with the content from ChatGPT. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
As I understand it, the author is proposing the following about the current situation in capitalist society in Chapter 1: The influence of capitalism on the modern mind and social structure is overwhelming. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
Success in modern capitalism is measured only on the narrow scale of wealth, prestige, and social status, so very few people qualify as winners, and most people are considered unsuccessful losers. |
|
Everyone is wired to feel like they're losing. Everyone is wired to feel like they're losing. Good use of "wired to"! One thing to note, though, is that it doesn't have a negative connotation that 「陥っている」can have! |
|
While independence and freedom, which are not found in totalitarianism, are held up as ideals, people have no choice but to accept the reality that a society other than capitalism is impossible to imagine, and they fall into a state of social slavery. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
They cannot imagine a world different from the present, and just live in a dystopia of lack of hope. They cannot imagine a world different from the present, and just live in a |
|
Respecting independence dismantles communities and weakens networks of mutual support, leading to an increase in people who are physically free but mentally lonely. |
|
At first, I was impressed by the author’s pessimism, but I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets. |
|
She must follow the company's orders if she doesn't want to quit her job. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
It’s a shame that she cannot buy and wear ant other companies' jewelry and it may remain the same until she retires. |
|
As Mark Fisher says, she is forced to live in a capitalist society that enslaves her. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
It’s a shame that she cannot buy and wear any other companies' jewelry and it may remain the same until she retires. This sentence has been marked as perfect! |
|
At first, I was impressed by the author’s pessimism, but later I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets. |
|
At first, I was impressed by the author’s pessimistic views, but later I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets. At first, I was impressed (or surprised) by the author’s pessimistic views, but later I felt a little convinced because one of my acquaintances, a jewelry shop manager, always complains that she must buy the products from her store when she can’t meet her monthly sales targets. 'impressed' has a connotation of 「感嘆」-- 'surprised' would better fit 「驚いた」 |
You need LangCorrect Premium to access this feature.
Go Premium