Jetsetting is now not the privilege of the elite so much as a veritiginous mundanity for a permanently dispossessed global workforce.
Mark FisherRead
The vast numbers of people who suffer some kind of mental illness under capitalism can either think, 'there is some failing with me, if only I could fit into this system better, if only I were working harder, if only I could enjoy these empty pleasures more, then things would be OK' or 'the problem is with the system that is making me ill.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the impact of capitalism on mental health and encourages a systemic view of personal struggles.
Mark Fisher's quote addresses the relationship between mental illness and capitalism, presenting two contrasting perspectives individuals may adopt in response to their struggles. One perspective sees personal failure as the root of their issues, urging individuals to change themselves to fit the capitalist system better, while the other perspective recognizes the systemic flaws that contribute to their suffering, advocating for a critical examination of societal structures rather than self-blame.
Themes
Mental IllnessCapitalismSystemic IssuesSelf-BlameSociety
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about mental health awareness during a community meeting.
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