Emma Madden

capitalism, socialism, and human nature: capitalism leaves open possibilities—’you may become a billionaire one day, if you put in the effort’. more importantly, it gives the illusions of control. how hard you work (a factor you control) theoretically determines you trajectory and your success. socialism looks too predetermined. (click)

naturally, we are ingrained with the evolutionary need to assert control over our environments. control means safety, and safety means life.

the illusion of a loss of control doesn’t sit well with us.

in this, our tendency toward capitalism is a cognitive bias of sorts. we know that we aren’t born into a system where free choice determines our path. but since there always lurks the possibility to be an outlier, the possibility, we choose this path nonetheless.

the illusion of control in a capitalist system feels better than the potentially utopian alternative.

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