Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins cover image

Based Camp | Simone & Malcolm Collins

The Communism Paradox: Why A Classless Society is Impossible Even in a Post-Scarcity World

Aug 1, 2024
Simone Collins, an expert on the flaws of communist ideology, and Malcolm Collins, a thinker on digital influence, tackle the paradox of achieving a truly classless society. They argue that even in a post-scarcity world, class structures persist due to competition for resources and social capital. The discussion highlights how attention and competence shape modern economies and the evolution of influencer culture. They critique the feasibility of communism and predict future challenges as technology redefines social dynamics.
52:53

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • A classless society is unattainable because scarcity will persist, leading to new class structures based on differing values.
  • Consumer behavior reflects ironic tendencies in communism, where individuals often prefer luxury and brand recognition over intrinsic value.

Deep dives

The Impossibility of a Classless Society

The assertion is made that a classless society is fundamentally unachievable due to the persistence of scarcity, even in hypothetical post-scarcity scenarios. The discussion emphasizes that regardless of how many basic needs are met, individuals will always find something scarce to value, leading to a new class structure based on that scarcity. An example is drawn from sci-fi literature, specifically Cory Doctorow's 'Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom,' which illustrates how social capital becomes a form of currency, leading to competitive group dynamics. This leads to the conclusion that as long as human beings value different things, a classless society cannot be established.

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