Why Capitalism Loves Doomers

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the feelings of despair and political dorismar that arise when faced with the overwhelming challenges of societal issues. They acknowledge the difficulty in maintaining optimism and the tendency to feel powerless. The speaker addresses the transition from initial rejection to curiosity and acceptance of socialist ideas, and the struggle to envision a better future. They encourage viewers to resist internalized defeatism and join mass movements for change, emphasizing that collective action is the key to overcoming despair and creating a new socioeconomic order.

Takeaways

• 🤔 The speaker is experiencing a move and a bout with political dorismar, questioning the effectiveness of political activism.
• 👢 They reflect on the transition from Texas and the symbolic end of certain cultural identifiers.
• 🌱 The channel's content is grassroots-funded, and the speaker encourages viewers to support and engage with the community.
• 😓 The speaker discusses personal feelings of exhaustion and the struggle to maintain optimism in the face of political challenges.
• 🗣️ There's a recognition of a common type of comment expressing despair and a lack of actionable solutions to societal problems.
• 🔄 The speaker identifies two types of dorismar: general despair and a more specific political dorismar that stems from a sense of powerlessness.
• 🧠 They describe the process of ideological change from initial rejection to curiosity and eventually acceptance of new political ideas.
• 🌐 The concept of 'capitalist realism' is introduced as a cultural barrier that makes it difficult to envision an alternative to capitalism.
• 🏰 The speaker criticizes the internalized liberalism that leads to a defeatist attitude and acceptance of the status quo.
• 👥 The importance of collective action over individualism is emphasized as the key to societal change.
• 💪 The speaker calls to action, urging viewers to resist despair and join socialist organizations to work towards a better future.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video script?

The main theme of the video script revolves around the concept of 'doomerism' or despair, particularly in the context of political activism, and the importance of overcoming this despair to work towards a better future.

What does the author mean by 'politically active people go through rough patches'?

The author refers to periods of exhaustion and disillusionment that politically active individuals may experience, where they feel that their efforts are futile and nothing they do can bring about change.

What is the significance of the term 'doomer' in the script?

In the script, 'doomer' refers to someone who lapses into despair and believes that there is no hope for a better future, often due to the overwhelming challenges they perceive in the political or social landscape.

Why does the author mention 'Dorismar' in the script?

The author uses 'Dorismar' as a shorthand for despair or 'doomerism,' which is a term derived from the name Dorismar, a character from the video game 'The Last of Us Part II,' known for her pessimistic outlook.

What is the author's view on the role of cultural conditioning in perpetuating the status quo?

The author argues that cultural conditioning, particularly in the United States, is a powerful force that perpetuates the status quo by making it difficult for people to envision or work towards a different future.

What does the author suggest is the typical reaction to socialist ideas among those who have been conditioned by liberal beliefs?

The author suggests that the typical reaction is a 'metamorphosis' that begins with rejection, followed by curiosity, acceptance, and finally, the emergence of 'political doomerism' where individuals accept the necessity of socialism but cannot envision how to achieve it.

How does the author describe the process of someone transitioning from a liberal to a more socialist perspective?

The author describes this process as a journey through rejection, curiosity, acceptance, and finally, despair or 'doomerism,' where individuals grapple with the realization that the current system is flawed but struggle to see a path to change.

What is the role of the media and politicians in maintaining the status quo according to the script?

The script suggests that the media and politicians play a role in maintaining the status quo by perpetuating lies and passing legislation that benefits the ruling class, thereby reinforcing the cultural conditioning that prevents change.

What is the author's advice for overcoming 'doomerism' and becoming an active agent of change?

The author encourages viewers to join a socialist organization, get organized, and become part of a mass movement to force change, rather than succumbing to despair and accepting the status quo.

How does the author differentiate between the two types of 'doomerism' mentioned in the script?

The author differentiates between the general feeling of despair that anyone can experience and a specific type of 'doomerism' where individuals recognize problems but feel powerless to effect change, often due to a deep-seated cultural liberalism.

What historical analogy does the author use to argue that change is possible despite the power of the ruling class?

The author uses the analogy of the 'divine right of kings' to argue that just as that once seemingly unassailable power was eventually resisted and changed, so too can the power of the ruling class under capitalism be resisted and changed by human beings.

Outlines

00:00

🤔 'Doomer' Sentiments and Political Activism

The speaker begins by acknowledging their move across the country and the low-key nature of the video. They discuss the concept of 'Doomer' sentiments, a feeling of despair that can affect politically active individuals, including themselves. The speaker admits to experiencing periods of hopelessness despite their generally optimistic outlook. They recognize the challenges faced by supporters of Palestinian Liberation and the difficulty of maintaining hope when confronted with distressing news. The speaker then distinguishes between two types of 'Doomer' sentiments: the general feeling of despair and a more specific type of comment they often receive, which acknowledges problems but questions what can be done about them. The speaker empathizes with this sentiment, understanding that it stems from a place of feeling powerless to enact change, especially for those new to left-wing ideas. They reflect on their own past reactions to such comments and express a desire to be more helpful in addressing these feelings of despair and powerlessness.

05:01

🌍 Overcoming Liberal Despair and the Illusion of Change

The speaker delves into the challenges of overcoming 'liberal despair,' a form of 'Doomer' sentiment that arises when one realizes the extent of societal issues but feels unable to change them. They note the difficulty of shifting from a belief in American exceptionalism and the goodness of capitalism to accepting socialist ideas. The speaker acknowledges the initial rejection of these ideas but encourages continued learning and curiosity. They discuss the process of accepting socialist ideas as morally and factually sound, yet also recognizing the difficulty of envisioning a different future due to cultural conditioning. The speaker addresses the concept of 'capitalist realism,' the idea that capitalism's dominance makes it hard to imagine an alternative. They argue that this internalized liberalism acts as a defense mechanism to prevent revolutionary thought, suggesting that the feeling of despair is a programmed response to maintain the status quo. The speaker calls for viewers to reject this despair and take responsibility for being part of the change, citing the potential power of collective action.

10:01

💪 Choosing Action Over Despair: The Path Forward

In the final paragraph, the speaker addresses the choice between succumbing to despair or recognizing it as a programmed response and choosing to act. They emphasize the importance of collective action over individualism, which capitalism promotes. The speaker acknowledges the fear and discomfort of stepping into the unknown but argues that mass movements have always been the drivers of change. They present a stark choice between the continuation of capitalism leading to extinction or the birth of a new socioeconomic order, urging viewers to choose the path of survival. The speaker encourages viewers to join socialist organizations to combat the despair and work towards a better future, arguing that joining together is the only way to win. They conclude by challenging the viewer's 'Doomer' mindset and urging them to prove that despair is not the only option by getting involved in activism.

Keywords

💡Doomer

A 'Doomer' is someone who believes that society is headed towards inevitable disaster and that efforts to change it are futile. In the video, the term is used to describe individuals who, despite recognizing societal issues, feel powerless to effect change. The script discusses how this mindset can be a defense mechanism against the realization that systemic change is both necessary and possible.

💡Status Quo

The 'status quo' refers to the current state of affairs or the existing state of things. The video discusses the tendency of people to accept the status quo as unchangeable, despite evidence that it may be harmful or unjust. It challenges viewers to question the status quo and consider the possibility of a better future.

💡Capitalism

Capitalism is an economic system based on private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit. The script critiques capitalism as a system that perpetuates inequality and environmental destruction, and it suggests that many people are indoctrinated to believe in its inevitability and superiority.

💡Cultural Conditioning

Cultural conditioning refers to the process by which individuals are influenced by their surrounding culture to adopt certain beliefs and values. In the context of the video, it is used to explain how people are taught to accept the dominant economic and political systems without questioning them.

💡Liberalism

Liberalism, as used in the video, refers to a political philosophy that values individual rights, democracy, and the rule of law. The script suggests that liberalism can be a barrier to recognizing the need for radical change, as it often supports the status quo and can lead to a sense of complacency or defeatism.

💡Socialism

Socialism is an economic and political system where the means of production are owned or controlled collectively, often by the state. The video presents socialism as an alternative to capitalism, advocating for a system that prioritizes social welfare and equality over profit.

💡Political Despair

Political despair refers to a sense of hopelessness or disillusionment with the political system. The script discusses how individuals can experience political despair when they feel that their efforts to create change are futile or that the system is too entrenched to be altered.

💡Mass Movements

Mass movements are large-scale social, political, or cultural movements involving many people. The video emphasizes the importance of mass movements as a means of driving societal change, arguing that individual action alone is insufficient to challenge the status quo.

💡Cultural Realism

Cultural realism is a concept mentioned in the video that refers to the idea that the dominant cultural narratives and beliefs can shape our perception of reality and limit our imagination of alternative systems or futures. It is used to explain why people struggle to envision a world beyond capitalism.

💡Revolutionary Sentiment

Revolutionary sentiment refers to the feelings and attitudes that support or advocate for radical change or revolution. The video discusses how the ruling class may work to suppress such sentiments among the population to maintain their power and prevent significant societal transformations.

💡Hyper-Individualism

Hyper-individualism is an extreme form of individualism that emphasizes personal independence and self-reliance to the point of disregarding community or collective interests. The script critiques hyper-individualism as a product of capitalist culture that discourages collective action and reinforces the status quo.

Highlights

The speaker is moving cross country and keeping the video casual to connect with the audience.

Crash Course is entirely grassroots funded, and the speaker encourages support through Patreon.

The speaker discusses feeling exhausted and politically inactive, a sentiment many politically active people can relate to.

The term 'doomer' is introduced to describe someone who lapses into despair about political and social issues.

The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of maintaining optimism in the face of overwhelming social and political challenges.

The importance of recognizing that feeling powerless is a common reaction to political and social issues is emphasized.

The speaker reflects on their own initial resistance to left-wing ideas and the process of changing one's worldview.

The process of accepting socialist ideas after initial rejection is described as a form of intellectual honesty.

The concept of 'capitalist realism' is mentioned as a cultural conditioning that makes it hard to imagine an alternative to capitalism.

The speaker discusses the idea that internalized liberalism can lead to a defense mechanism of despair and doom.

The role of corporate media and politicians in maintaining the status quo by promoting a sense of powerlessness is highlighted.

The speaker calls for action against the programmed despair and the need to resist the urge to accept the status quo.

The historical context of change always involving conflict, not always violent, is provided to motivate action.

The importance of mass movements in driving change and the fallacy of hyper-individualism is discussed.

The speaker encourages viewers to join a socialist organization and get organized as a means to effect change.

The final call to action is to prove that doomerism is a lie by working towards a better future.

Transcripts

well howdy you everybody I'm in the

middle of moving cross country so I

thought I'd keep this video uh lowfy and

just hang out with you guys for a bit

actually I guess I can't say howdy

anymore if I'm leaving Texas I'm hanging

up my boots and Spurs I'm saying one

last goodbye to bies as a little

reminder second thought is entirely

Grassroots funded so if you appreciate

the work we're doing here please do

consider becoming a patron at

patreon.com/crashcourse access to our

Discord server it's a great time anyway

I want to talk a little bit about

dorismar for a while because I wanted to

be in the right mindset for it like most

politically active people I go through

rough patches where I I just don't want

to deal with it anymore I'm exhausted

where it feels like nothing I do matters

no matter how many people I get to join

orgs or get involved in their Community

or just read a book I'm a generally

positive optimistic person but sometimes

that negativity still seeps in and I

turn into a Doomer for a few days the

last couple days have kind of been that

way intellectually I know I'm doing

something useful but

dorismar with the term

status quo is here to stay why should we

even bother trying to make things better

and I get that sentiment I I really do I

think we all go through periods where

things just seem so unbelievably Bleak

that we can't possibly imagine a

brighter future I know that for my

fellow supporters of Palestinian

Liberation it's been especially bad

lately how can we open Twitter see

children literally Torn to Pieces and

think yeah this is something we can fix

it's hard but there are a couple

different kinds of

dorismar lapses into despair that's one

kind one that I think most people face

regardless of political alignment we all

get the big sad sometimes but there's

another form of

dorismar for a while but I think I

finally got it there's a particular kind

of commenter that will leave a comment

saying something like yes this is bad

but what can we do in fact I'd say this

is the most common type of comment I get

on this channel a recognition that there

are things that need fixing but feeling

at a loss as to what recourse normal

people have to affect change and I'll

admit in the past my first reaction has

usually been irritation I'll snap at

commenters and say I literally have a

video with that exact title it's why I

made that video in the first place but

that's not helpful I understand why

people ask this question I understand

that there are plenty of people out

there who are new to to properly

left-wing ideas and are feeling a little

lost or unored they've just had the

comfortable lies about the modern world

and capitalism debunked they've had

their sense of stability and confidence

shaken it's this commenter I want to

talk to today because when a liberal and

I'm using that term broadly talking

about subjects of liberal regimes here

when a liberal has their foundational

beliefs challenged they begin to undergo

a sort of

metamorphosis when a normal person who

has gone their whole life believing the

ingrained cultural lies of capitalism is

exposed to ideas that challenge those

beliefs they experience a kind of unease

that is difficult to put into words it's

like learning that Santa Claus isn't

real or that chicken the food is the

same thing as chicken the

bird that one did a number on me as a

kid anyway what often happens at first

is rejection of these offensive ideas

what do you mean the US isn't Democratic

you can't just say the two parties serve

the same interests are Wars absolutely

are about giving people

Freedom I'm poking fun a little bit here

but honestly it is really hard to change

your opinions especially on such

culturally significant beliefs as

American exceptionalism and the goodness

of capitalism and I applaud anyone who

can adjust their perspective based on

new evidence that's something we should

all strive to do now this initial

knee-jerk rejection of socialist ideas

is normal and if the person has the

intellectual honesty to keep learning

more it almost always gives gives way to

curiosity genuine goodfaith

questions what about the Soviet Union I

heard they did X or how does socialism

handle small business stuff like that

questions that have easy answers the

person has just never heard them before

it's like anything else I don't know

anything about rebuilding boat engines I

wouldn't even know the questions to ask

until I started watching some

introductory videos this is all part of

the learning process the next step is

acceptance once your questions have been

answered to your satisfaction or at

least when you realize that answers are

out there if you just keep doing your

research you'll get to a point where

you're comfortable saying okay these

ideas are factually sound and morally

correct but and now this is where the

political Doomer is born someone born in

the United States is the most

propagandized person in the world every

country on Earth sells a polished

version of itself to its populace but

only Americans actually believe their

myth and this is not me trying to be

unkind I'm an American I had to go

through this same process but this

cultural conditioning makes it really

hard to amend our worldview even when we

do realize that holy the commies

were right we still can't quite Envision

a better future I've got a video on

capitalist realism if you want to

explore this idea more fully but the

gist of it is that when we live in a

society when we live in a society that

is so dominant culturally militarily

economically it's really hard to imagine

a future where that is not the case it's

like that Ursula Lewin quote we live in

capitalism its power seems inescapable

so did the divine right of kings that's

like my favorite quote I use it all the

time anyway when you get to this point

when you're convinced of the necessity

of socialism but you just can't quite

see how we get there your culturally

ingrained liberalism launching is one

last desperate attack dummer ism is the

last defense mechanism of your personal

internalized liberalism if you're a

liberal the default position in the US

and you learn about socialist ideas

about why Society is the way it is your

liberalism says to you yes you may be

right about that but there's nothing you

can do about it this is a brilliant

almost biological defense it's a

built-in safety valve to prevent the

Genesis of a new wave of revolutionary

sentiment the American Empire is

vulnerable from the inside all Empires

are if enough workers decide that we

need to shut down the economy to force

change that's GG for the ruling class

without workers to do the work they

don't make any money so by instilling in

every person a deep-seated belief that

nothing can change even if we believe it

should you preemptively shut off the

possibility of a new revolutionary

movement this is masterful work it's a

defense mechanism that requires very

little input from those at the levers of

power all they have to do is keep paying

the corporate media to repeat their lies

and keep

bribing sorry lobbying politicians to

pass legislation that benefits them at

the expense of the rest of us the

environment and the future this cultural

liberalism the soft squishy defeatism

that were indoctrinated into is so

burned into our Collective psyche that

the average American will even leap to

defend the very people behind the

mainten of this pathetic worldview sheep

yelling at sheep to defend the fat

grinning bloodstained wolf in our pen

now the liberal politician's goal is to

turn you from a potential active

educated revolutionary back into an

apathetic worker drone who accepts the

status quo even if you do it

begrudgingly yeah it's bad but there's

nothing we can do guess I'll get back to

work and accept my miserable lot in life

the final antibody they can deploy their

last line of defense is that feeling of

Despair and doom now I'd really like to

speak directly to the people in this

position the viewers who know exactly

the despondent feeling I'm talking about

if you feel that you are experiencing

the death throws of your liberalism and

you're now faced with a choice do I give

in to this despair do I accept this

liberal explanation of the

world or do I fully come to grips with

the fact that yes things are terrible

but things can change and it is my

responsibility to be part of the

generation that forces change there's a

second part to that leguin quote we live

in capitalism its power seems

inescapable but then so did the divine

right of kings any human power can be

resisted and changed by human

beings what we're facing today is

nothing new the tools the ruling class

has at its disposal may be more advanced

the average person may believe more

deeply that their oppressors are their

friends but not once in history not one

time has positive change happened at a

structural level without some form of

conflict not always violent but those in

power have never ever given up their

power willingly why would someone making

billions of dollars under capitalism

agree to give another system a try

especially a system that would prevent

the kind of ungodly capital accumulation

they've enjoyed tough love time when you

reach the point of political dorismar

that in voice that says yes this is bad

but there's nothing you can do about it

peasant you have two options you can

continue to mope and whine and wallow in

self-pity or you can realize that that

reaction is programmed into you and

choose to do something about it what's

the other option roll over and die

accept as inevitable that a handful of

people with more power than God have the

right to Doom our entire species to Sate

their greed no no while you're alive you

try you try to force change we are weak

only when we act alone the hyper

individualism of capitalism has

conditioned us to believe that we are

solitary creatures looking out only for

ourselves and that only through

individual actions can we decide Our

Fate that is a lie look through any

history book and you'll see that the

drivers of change have always been mass

movements masses of people deciding

enough is enough we're trying something

new

I know it's scary I know it's not what

you hoped your life would look like but

this is the hand we've been dealt

humanity is at a Crossroads down one

road we have the genocidal accumulation

of capitalism and Extinction down the

other is survival and the birth of a new

socioeconomic order we get to choose

make the right choice choose to work for

a better future ignore that Insidious

voice in your head that says this is

just how things are you think like that

and there's nothing separating you from

the feudal surf kissing the Ring of his

Lord do not go to bed tonight without

having reached out to a socialist

organization in your area if you can't

find one ask online ask here in the

comments join something I don't care

which one it is they all have their good

and bad points but getting organized is

the only way we win you want to be a

Doomer that's your choice but there is

an alternative if everyone watching this

video joined a socialist organization we

could quadruple membership easily do it

today I'm talking to you

specifically dumer ism is a lie let's

work to prove it