The Problem with Capitalism is Very Simple

If you’re reading this, you are in such a niche part of the Internet that I can assume you already know everything I’m about to tell you. This is a reminder of what you already know, and a reminder to not overcomplicate things for yourself.

The downside of capitalism is very simple. It is in fact so simple, it amazes me that the entire world is not yet on the same page about this.

Imagine a company, any company. An office, a factory, a farm. The main goal of this company is to make profit. The company puts every other goal below this goal. This is the problem.

Valuing profit above all else means cutting corners in other areas. Worker’s wellbeing, ecological preservation, beauty, are all secondary and will be sacrificed. Sometimes other values align with the profit-value. For example, implementing circular waste systems within a factory is environmentally friendly, but it also saves costs by recycling materials. But, as soon as the recycling of materials is more expensive than not-recycling, companies will no longer recycle. Or another example, companies will announce they are supporters of women’s rights in Uganda (or whatever is trending at that moment), until it ceases to be popular and then they are not.

They will always go for whatever makes the most profit, at the expense of other areas.

My studies in university were focussed on sustainable entrepreneurship. I was surrounded by people who were involved in all sorts of innovative cool sustainability shit. The future looked pastel green. We would educate the public and consumers would use their money as voting power to bring about a sustainable economy. However, as soon as I left my comfortable middleclass university bubble, I realised very quickly that most people don’t give a rats-ass about sustainability, or labour conditions in far-away countries. A VERY LARGE portion of consumers will always go for the cheapest option. And therefore, companies will provide them with the cheapest option. Even if it means polluting rivers with toxic dyes, or paying workers less than liveable wage, or shipping a product 3 times across the globe because it’s cheaper to have little parts added in different countries.

And this is not the fault of the consumer. Most people are poor. They do not have the luxury of spending extra money on a more ethical or sustainable version of a product. We all just out here, tryna survive. It is not even the fault of (most of) the companies.

It is merely a consequence of the Free Market.

The solution to this problem is complicated. The problem itself is not complicated.

I want us all to at least be on the same page about the problem.

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