The Cherry on TOP

Communism deprives no man of the ability to appropriate the fruits of his labour. The only thing it deprives him of is the ability to enslave others by means of such appropriations.

KARL MARX, The Communist Manifesto

Do we agree with this quote? How can we appropriate the fruits of our labour if we are allowed no recognition for our accomplishments and hard work?

Thank you Dr. Craig for such an interesting post. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your thoughts on Marxism.

Using communism as an advertising ploy does in fact "offer an example of how the ruling class appropriates those ideas which it finds most threatening."

The ruling class has now learned that instead of silencing the problem, they are able to make a commodity out of the issue. By turning communism into a product it satisfies the radical urge in consumers by displaying their rejection of capitalism by purchasing a t-shirt or poster. As a result, they are buying their values as designed by the ruling class.

Instead of the working class taking the issues to the streets in protest, they are simply satisfied by purchasing products marketed to them for that sole purpose. This in turn, keeps the oppressed quiet, and capitalism thriving. Without realizing it, this makes a mockery of the plight of the working man.

A stated, "It encourages consumers who purchase products from the store to imagine themselves as radically different from those who do not."

However, this only feeds into capitalism, making the consumer just as unoriginal as the next who gives in to this consumption.

This "ruling class ideology" does in fact exist in everyday ways of life. Clothes, literature, the media, it all supports this exact theory. The masses must realize this, and do something more about it than using consumption to express their values.

Does X Marx The Spot?

Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks. -Karl Marx

Where to begin?

Think of this ...The idea that capitalism can be replaced by Communism.


Imagine that? Your life would no longer be controlled by wealth. Everything you worked for would be praised just as much as the next person in your community. Your belongings would no longer go to show that you accomplished wealth in this society.

Could you handle that?

In this society how could we erase our values? Values that have been instilled in us from our parents, the media, our education? Values that are formed with the drive to be successful, which in our terms is to generate capital to show for what we have accomplished in our lives.

In the world of Communism you could chase after your dreams, whatever they may be, and there would be no criticism about your life choices. No one would question whether your career path would be able to support you and bring much success in your life. Your success in life would simply be to do your part, whatever that may be, and to contribute to society equally. We would live in a "classless" society, filled with common ownership, distribution, and exchange (Barry, 156). Marxism believes there are no natural forces behind our choices and influences.

Liberal humanism takes on the debate.

Marxism believes in equal distribution, but liberal humanism is based on human ideology. The ideas and concepts of the "American dream". This adds competition to society. Everyone wants to achieve their goals, pushing to the top. Every man is out for himself in the world of business, trying to get the higher position, in return for more capital.

What would Marx do?

He would go crazy. Marxism feels no need for competition, and feels working together is the only way. Liberal humanism promotes human values, therefore promoting competition. Liberal humanism believes in individuality, something securely possessed within each of us as our unique essence (Barry, 18).

Could it be argued that you lose all individuality in a communist society? You no longer compete to achieve your goals, you do your part, and that is it. Does liberal humanism give you the sense of your self, being an individual, believing in ideas that transcend through time? You experience passions and emotions that are apparent through history. Is this allowed in Marxism?

I leave you with those questions from the great debate between Karl Marx and liberal humanism.

Could you handle Marxism? Forget your values? Work to benefit society as whole, not yourself?

I know I couldn't ...

But that is the "Right Fish" in me.

"The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud."

-Coco Chanel

I am a believer in passion. Passion for life, for love, and for what you believe in. I express my views, often, and aloud. I value the importance of my opinion, I let it be heard, but never forget to listen.

I focus on the contemporary. Weblogs, modern movies, and pop culture spark an interest in my brain. Although I do have a fascination on the origin of most things. I hope to study the history of literature and theory, and in turn be able to use it in modern day. I look forward to discussion and debate.

I am not too familiar with theory, but I expect Critical Theory and the Academy to broaden my thoughts on this topic. I hope to explore questions and get a better understanding for analyzing literature. I have focused my studies on the media; writing, advertising, and publishing. This course will differ from others I have taken, a new and exciting challenge.