RSA ANIMATE: First as Tragedy, Then as Farce

Summary

The transcript critiques the rise of cultural capitalism, which blends consumerism with ethical gestures, such as buying fair trade or charity-based products. The speaker argues that these actions, often presented as redemptive, are more a form of hypocrisy, prolonging the issues they aim to address. Drawing from Oscar Wilde's perspective on charity, the speaker suggests that charity does not solve systemic problems but rather perpetuates them. The call is for a more radical transformation of capitalism, as minor reforms are seen as inadequate to address the underlying societal and ecological crises.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cultural capitalism has transformed consumerism, integrating social responsibility into everyday purchases.
• 😀 Companies like Starbucks and Toms Shoes market ethical consumption, where buying products contributes to social causes.
• 😀 Starbucks promotes the idea that buying coffee is not just a consumer act but a form of social participation through its shared Planet program.
• 😀 Toms Shoes' 'one for one' model presents a symbolic solution to poverty, where every purchase is linked to charitable giving.
• 😀 The logic of cultural capitalism combines consumption with moral redemption, making ethical duties a part of everyday purchases.
• 😀 The modern consumer is encouraged to feel virtuous, even when they might not fully believe in the efficacy of organic or 'ethical' products.
• 😀 Oscar Wilde critiqued charity, suggesting that it doesn’t solve the root problems of societal inequality but merely masks them.
• 😀 Wilde argued that charity, in its current form, can perpetuate the systemic problems it aims to fix, such as poverty and exploitation.
• 😀 The concept of 'soft apocalypticism' acknowledges the serious threats posed by ecological and social crises, calling for more profound change.
• 😀 True societal change cannot be achieved through ethical consumption or charity alone; it requires a radical restructuring of societal and economic systems.

Q & A

What is the main point being made about clarity in the economy?

The speaker argues that clarity in the economy is no longer just an idealistic feature but has become a fundamental part of modern capitalism, especially in the context of cultural capitalism.

How is cultural capitalism different from traditional capitalism?

Cultural capitalism blends consumerism with ethical considerations, where acts of consumption are tied to social or environmental good. This contrasts with traditional capitalism, where consumption and charitable acts were seen as separate.

How does the speaker describe the shift in capitalism post-1968?

Post-1968, capitalism transformed into cultural capitalism, where economic actions are intertwined with social and environmental responsibilities. The old opposition between consumption and social good began to merge.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate cultural capitalism?

The speaker uses Starbucks as an example, where buying coffee is marketed as buying into a larger ethical mission, such as supporting Fair Trade coffee and helping improve communities around the globe.

What is the critique of charity in the context of cultural capitalism?

The critique is that charity often prolongs the problems it seeks to solve. Charity, while well-intentioned, does not address the root causes of issues like poverty but merely alleviates the symptoms, thus maintaining the existing system.

How does the concept of 'buying redemption' apply to cultural capitalism?

In cultural capitalism, consumers are encouraged to believe that their purchases contribute to social or environmental causes, thus redeeming them from the guilt of consumerism. This is exemplified by campaigns like those of Starbucks or Tom's Shoes.

What does the speaker think about the trend of 'soft apocalypticism'?

The speaker refers to 'soft apocalypticism' as a belief that, while not predicting a complete collapse of society, we are approaching a crisis point where ecological, social, and biotechnological issues could lead to significant problems.

What does the speaker say about the role of charity in capitalism?

The speaker acknowledges that charity has value but highlights its limitations. He suggests that charity often masks the underlying problems in capitalism, and while it’s better than nothing, it doesn't resolve the systemic issues of inequality.

How does the speaker view the relationship between capitalism and socialism?

The speaker criticizes attempts to make capitalism more humane by incorporating socialist elements like welfare or basic income. He suggests that this approach is a desperate attempt to make a fundamentally flawed system work, without addressing its core issues.

Why does the speaker reference Oscar Wilde in the discussion?

Oscar Wilde is referenced to emphasize that well-intentioned efforts like charity can often perpetuate the problems they aim to solve. Wilde’s criticism of charity is used to illustrate how it can be more harmful than helpful by not addressing the root causes of social issues.