Satirical collage showing a “Greed Machine” pouring money — AI art by @faerierealm

CaylaCatz

Actually I don't think it's about capitalism. It's more about creating cult figures out of certain kinds of people especially media stars. A lot of what Trump is able to do is because he had the reality show and became a star. As a star he learned to have fans and manipulate them into believing his persona, getting fans to believe his PR instead of what the news reveal about him. He's a lousy businessman and lost a lot of what his father handed him but he's great at being a cult figure. He is using his cult figure status to manipulate many things that if he was just a capitalist he would not be able to do. If he was just a capitalist, he wouldn't worry me. What worries me is he's a cult figure that people want to idolize with insecurities that makes him want to be famous for something big, not just for being a reality star. Stars get handed things like honorary degrees that they haven't earned but gain through their fame so he demands the Nobel Prize. Problem is war is big too.

CaylaCatz

I'm more worried about Trump as A) he has already talked to people about changing the constitution so it's more than 2 terms. They have said it's not possible But the 2 term limit is relatively new. It passed in 1951 because Roosevelt had 4 terms. That's not that long ago. Failing that I think it's likely he'll start a war so he can declare martial law and also try to set himself up as a hero trying to save America to the folks who believe anything he says. I think he will try to pick a small country expecting an easy win but he doesn't understand geography or alliances (witness his thinking he could just confiscate Greenland without Europe getting pissed off) so I'm concerned he will trigger WWIII. And he is the sort of idiot who thinks if he presses the nuclear button that a nuclear winter is just a fairytale.

faerierealm

Well, I hope you're right, because if so, the problem will end when he's gone. But I suspect that another demagogue will rise to fill that void, and all the people who are struggling because of wealth and income inequality will flock to their new cult figure who promises to fix everything but won't actually address the root cause of people's struggles: wealth and income inequality. But I hope you're right, because then things will get better when Trump is gone.

faerierealm

Yeah the hyper-capitalism in this country is off the charts. People need to start voting Progressive or they're screwed. (I say 'they' and not 'we' because we're leaving. Been planning our departure for months now and by August or September at the latest, we'll be living in Europe. Although, to be clear, we're doing it more for the nation's hostile stance towards the LGBTQ+ community than for economic reasons. Although the economy stinks as well!)

CaylaCatz

lucky you. I wish i could afford to take my cat and I and got. I fantasize about the 1EU homes in Italy but you have to have the money to make them habitable and to get there so I'll be hunkered down and hoping I'm wrong.

faerierealm

It's fine haha. We don't expect to do well with these types of pieces, it's just a way to get them in front of additional eyes, since the algorithm does not promote such images otherwise.

DavidP

Art with a relevant message - I suppose maybe there are people who don't see it this way which wouldn't help matters

crabmouse

I'm guessing a lot of people here would agree with this - and support immigrants and trans folk.

faerierealm

Yes, the artistic community tends to have more empathy and thus be more progressive.

DavidP

So good to view again - you were robbed not being top 10