How do you adapt to capitalism_

[timetosleep]

I go to work everyday knowing that I am being exploited. I have been working for a long time, but I still haven't been able to accept capitalism. It's hard to imagine myself being alive and slaving my life away until old age. To make the matter worse, living cost and housing are becoming higher and higher every year. They are barely affordable anymore. How do people do this??? Not gonna lie, if I go to sleep and not wake up tomorrow, I would like that very much.

 

[Darkover]

producing or developing something that is useful, beneficial, or important to others, essentially adding positive worth to a situation or providing something that people find valuable; it can refer to creating a product, service, idea, or even a positive impact that has a positive effect on someone or something

i escaped the need to work to survive by relying on the welfare system for 20 years so far

 

[Nervous young man]

From a materialist perspective you don't really ever adapt to capitalism.

Capitalism in the modern age ( and I know some orthodox materialists will shit the bed at this but I'm going to reference Fisher ) has culture, mass media, and art as a tool it can export. Capitalism has seeped into every crevice of society to the point where most people will never even think that a different system is possible. Not to mention most of the first world has had free markets so ingrained into everyday life for thousands of years it makes any sort of change almost impossible but that's just the first faucet here.

Theory of alienation is a simple idea that can be grasped in a few sentences, firstly human life is tied to work its what we do its what we like to do. When we work we reach catharsis and when we reach catharsis it feels good. However capitalism destroys work, it steals work, it necessitates work and the exportation of the workers labor. You will not plant seeds you will not grow anything, everything you do will always go to the top. You will never truly own your work. You lose the ability to control your future and you have no control over what you produce, you have no say in anything. The system is built to be dehumanizing and to make it worse we import vast amounts of goods ( unless you live in the third world then you give it to us ) from the third world made cheap using practically slave labor 2.0 making ethical consumption impossible but this also has the negative outcome of dissociating people from the production of items. It removes another layer of catharsis from production and consumption leaving only what the mass media says is good. We are told to buy for social standing more than anything these days.

"This sucks!"
Indeed it does but there is always going to be a movement. Capitalism produces conflict between the ruling and working class, it is essential to its existence that people suffer because there needs to be a reason to work. Without threat of worse "sucking" nobody would want to generate capital for those who own production and our workplaces so its actually required that we suffer. But this is bad, this sucks, who wants to slave away their whole lives for nothing. It creates a contradiction with the system, the system is built on a contradiction. The shitty nature of capitalism necessitates its destruction. As long as this conflict exists capitalism will always be at threat which is why it is prudent for the system to distract us from issues like class divide with issues like immigration and social issues.

"How do I cope?"
Well for me what helps is the works of Martin Heidegger.
Other than technological dissociation or alienation one thing that causes more issues for people is not living authentically. Now in this system it can be impossible to live as truly authentic as possible and society asks us to conform to the "they-self" or the collective idea of what your existence and consciousness should result in. But you are the master of your own consciousness. As another user stated producing things can help but I would also recommend surrounding yourself with nature whenever you can, art, whatever you can. Producing things that ARE YOURS and experiencing some of the more enjoyable parts of the world are a good way to live more authentic! But this isn't enough, capitalism is also destroying the environment. Get involved with local ecological and labor groups, helping to resist against this oppressive system might make you feel more important and it might make you feel like you are actually doing something good in the world. In my experience it feels good to do good things, we are social creatures after all and we rely on each other.

Live authentically, organize, read, never lose hope.

 

[Kalista]

How do people do this???

indoctrination. there are people who fully accept this way of living. they don't see it as exploitation in any way. they believe hard work equals success, even when the system is designed to keep them in a cycle of survival, not growth. some justify it by saying "that's just how life is," while others convince themselves they're lucky to even have a job.

another is 'distractions.' people who are aware but find something to cope with while they continue this way of life. they're miserable, but they continue anyway. these are usually ones who don't think about suicide or suicide as an option, so it feels like they have no other choice.

with the way companies overwork their employees with long hours and unjustifiable pay, the expectation of working until you're too old to enjoy anything is far too normalized. many of these workers give their lives away to a company that barely cares about you (if at all) which is absolutely fucking sad, yet they try and try and try. i don't admire these people.
another sad reality is when people convince themselves their work is meaningful, or they find small aspects of it that seem meaningful just to justify staying in an otherwise meaningless job -- (i've done this).

which brings up another 'coping strategy.' thinking it's just a job and nothing else. you go in, work, go home and wait to get paid while you try to find time and things to spend your money on besides your bills.

have to include ones who work, but are well off. they're only working to supplement their immense savings or financial support from well off parents. these people also sometimes work for the only reason that they're bored. 'surviving' is not in their radar, so working in this system does not phase them.

few choices can be taken. be a sheep, be a self-aware sheep, or no longer participate in this world.

 

[Forever Sleep]

I tried to do a job that I got fulfilment from. So- it felt more like a vocation/ personal goal/ even a hobby at times. Not quite so much now though.

Without putting yourself at risk of seeming awkward or getting fired, make it clear that you won't be exploited excessively. I've been kind of amazed by how colleagues of mine wangled fuel allowance, part time hours, promotions, different working hours to everyone else to suit them.

Obviously, not all people are able to do that but, be careful not to let companies take the piss. At first, it might be appreciated that you stayed late or worked a weekend but, it won't be long until it just becomes expected. My Grandpa used to tell my Dad- always leave the office for your lunch break. Otherwise, people will come in and give you work to do and be put out if you don't get straight on with it.

It's hard though. I suppose I kind of accepted that I put my priorities elsewhere. So long as I was able to get by and still be creative, I thought I'd be happy. It's not always the case though. Especially when people much higher up in the food chain- paid to make decisions don't bother or, leave it to the last minute, which puts shit loads of pressure on me. All that pisses me off.

But yeah, capitalism in general I find pretty depressing. It's full on suicide fuel really. But then, I suppose I also see that as a good thing because ultimately, I know I want out!

 

[cme-dme]

Producing things that ARE YOURS and experiencing some of the more enjoyable parts of the world are a good way to live more authentic! But this isn't enough, capitalism is also destroying the environment. Get involved with local ecological and labor groups, helping to resist against this oppressive system might make you feel more important and it might make you feel like you are actually doing something good in the world. In my experience it feels good to do good things, we are social creatures after all and we rely on each other.

There are only two things in this world that feel "real" to me. They are human connections and making stuff that is my own. Everything else is bullshit to me. I feel the most human when I am speaking with friends or hanging out with them. I feel the most alive when I am making something whether it's web design or a shitty drawing. No amount of material possessions or wealth could change that. Capitalist society is designed to make you feel like a cog in the machine, like you're not even human.

 

[Pluto]