Here.

Please don't read comments until you've read this. It is very short and fast to read. It is radicalizing. It is a good short story to send to your friend who needs to understand what capitalism is. LeGuin wrote this in 1973, cementing her status as Chad Supreme of Fuck Mountain. Bow before her might.

Let's discuss in the comments below.

  • EthicalHumanMeat [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    so why do we happily pay the much higher price of capitalism when it hurts so many and benefits so few?

    Well that's the thing: we (meaning the workers and the oppressed) are paying the price of capitalism (to a varying degree). Socialism isn't really about altruism, not that it isn't a good thing or that it can't help. Fundamentally it's about the oppressed liberating themselves, not the comfortable, well-off oppressors choosing out of the kindness of their hearts to stop oppressing.

    Also, again, the arrangement in the story benefits the many and hurts the few, which is why I don't think this particular story's related to capitalism.