The History of the Late-Stage Capitalism Meme
Monday, October 21. 2024.
Welcome to Late-Stage Capitalism, where billionaires dream of colonizing Mars while the rest of us try to figure out how to pay for both rent and lunch this month.
It’s the term that’s become a viral meme, a rallying cry, and a perfectly ironic label for the strange, sometimes laughable, always infuriating state of our current economic system.
Born from the dusty pages of economic theory and reborn in the snark-filled corridors of Reddit and TikTok, Late-Stage Capitalism has become the internet’s way of pointing out just how weird everything has gotten.
Let’s take a journey through its history, how it got here, and what it has to do with Limbic Capitalism and Cultural Narcissism—two concepts that fit into the mix like overpriced artisanal cheese on an avocado toast.
The Origins: From Karl Marx to Crying While Swiping on Instagram
Once upon a time, a long, long time ago (around the 1800s), Karl Marx was theorizing about how capitalism would eventually eat itself.
He didn’t use the term Late-Stage Capitalism, but he definitely laid the groundwork, talking about how the system would become increasingly absurd and unfair.
He figured that when it all got too ridiculous, the masses would rise up in revolution.
What he didn’t predict was that instead of a revolution, we’d get TikTok videos where people jokingly ask, “Where are the guillotines?”
The term itself emerged in the 1970s thanks to Marxist theorist Ernest Mandel, who used the term “Late Capitalism” to describe the global economy after World War II—characterized by multinational corporations and a never-ending parade of consumer goods.
But like all good things, Late-Stage Capitalism didn’t truly come alive until the internet decided to meme it into the digital age, where it evolved into shorthand for “This is all a bit much, isn’t it?”
The Rise of the Meme: Social Media Takes Over, and It’s Kind of Hilarious
As the internet does with all things, it turned Late-Stage Capitalism from an academic term into a punchline.
Platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and TikTok became ground zero for users to share memes that capture the daily absurdities of life under a system where even your emotional breakdown can be monetized. (There’s probably an app for that, too.)
Gig Economy Memes: Because Who Needs Stability? One of the favorite targets of Late-Stage Capitalism memes is the gig economy.
Uber drivers, DoorDash deliverers, and anyone working three jobs to make ends meet find a kind of camaraderie in the ridiculousness. Think memes like, “I work seven gigs, but at least I’m my own boss!” paired with a photo of someone collapsing on their couch from exhaustion. It’s funny because it’s true, and also deeply, deeply sad.
Absurd Luxury Products… For When You Have Everything Except Common Sense: The internet loves to mock the products that come out of Late-Stage Capitalism’s fever dream. $400 water bottles, AI-enabled juicers, subscription boxes for things you didn’t know you needed until Instagram ads convinced you otherwise.
These products are designed for the mythical person who has solved all their actual problems but really needs a gold-plated fidget spinner. It’s the perfect combination of “Why does this exist?” and “Oh right, because people will buy it.”
Corporate Virtue Signaling: Woke Branding with a Side of Layoffs: Another classic theme is the critique of corporations that try to brand themselves as socially conscious.
You’ve seen the tweets: “Happy Pride Month from Big Oil!” followed by memes that say, “Thanks for the rainbow logo, but how about some livable wages?”
It’s like companies think that slapping a social justice message on a product can distract us from the fact that their employees have to work 60 hours a week just to afford rent. Nice try, but we’re not buying it—unless it’s on sale.
Why It Resonates: Welcome to the Land of Contradictions
The Late-Stage Capitalism meme hits home because it captures that awkward feeling of living in a world where billionaires are launching space missions while people struggle to afford dental care.
It’s not just about inequality (though that’s a big part of it); it’s about how surreal life can feel when you’re constantly bombarded with messages that tell you you’re special—right before reminding you that you need to work harder, smarter, and with a smile to make ends meet.
“Eat the Rich” and the Billionaire Roast: If there’s a slogan that sums up the frustration behind the Late-Stage Capitalism meme, it’s Eat the Rich.
This catchy phrase captures the sheer absurdity of living in a world where a few people have enough money to buy small countries, while most of us are wondering why eggs cost more than our Netflix subscription. Memes often pair stories of luxury yachts and private islands with headlines about rising food bank usage. It’s not exactly subtle, but subtlety is overrated.
The Anti-Work Movement… Because Who Dreams of Labor Anymore?: Another cornerstone of the meme is the rise of anti-work culture.
Communities like r/antiwork on Reddit have become sanctuaries for those who are overworked, underpaid, and tired of pretending that hustle culture is fun.
Memes from this corner of the internet often feature phrases like “I don’t dream of labor” or jokes about how millennials can’t afford houses because they spend all their money on lattes—except, you know, they actually just have massive student loans.
Generational Grudges: Millennials and Gen Z vs. the Boomers: The Late-Stage Capitalism meme also loves to poke at the generational divide. While Baby Boomers recall buying homes for the price of a used car, younger generations face housing prices that make avocado toast seem like the least of their problems.
Memes like “I’ll never own a house, but at least I have 37 streaming subscriptions” sum up the humor and despair of trying to make it in an economy that wasn’t built for us.
Limbic Capitalism: The Brain-Hacking Business Model
Let’s introduce another guest to this capitalism party: Limbic Capitalism.
This term, popularized by Robert Lustig, describes how companies target our brain’s pleasure centers to keep us clicking, swiping, and spending. It’s about designing products that tap into our desire for instant gratification—because why fix systemic issues when you can just keep people distracted with dopamine hits?
In the world of Limbic Capitalism, every emotion becomes a sales opportunity. Lonely? There’s a dating app for that.
Feeling stressed?
How about some CBD-infused everything?
Bored?
Let’s throw in some loot boxes with a 0.01% chance of getting that special digital sword you absolutely don’t need. It’s as if the economy discovered how to turn Pavlov’s dog experiment into a business model, and guess what? We’re the dogs.
Cultural Narcissism: Everyone’s a Star in Their Own Biopic
Finally, let’s not forget about Cultural Narcissism.
This concept, originally coined by Christopher Lasch, describes a society that puts way too much emphasis on self-image and individual success.
Today, it’s hard not to see this in every curated Instagram feed and LinkedIn post that reads like a humblebrag parade. We live in a time when “personal branding” isn’t just something influencers do; it’s what everyone is encouraged to do, from teenagers on TikTok to your boss on LinkedIn.
Cultural Narcissism pairs perfectly with Late-Stage Capitalism because it fuels our constant need for self-optimization.
Are you really living your best life if you’re not taking photos of your keto smoothie or sharing your daily productivity tips? Of course, there’s a product for every insecurity—whether it’s a new skincare regimen, a mindfulness app, or a virtual course on becoming the most authentic you. It’s a self-improvement hamster wheel, and Limbic Capitalism is there to keep it well-oiled.
The Vicious Cycle: When Capitalism and Narcissism Get Cozy
Together, Late-Stage Capitalism, Limbic Capitalism, and Cultural Narcissism create a feedback loop that’s as profitable as it is exhausting. It goes something like this:
Create the Need: Thanks to Cultural Narcissism, we’re all told we need to be the best versions of ourselves—super fit, super mindful, super productive. It’s not enough to be okay; you have to be optimized. Cue the endless search for products that promise to fix us.
Monetize the Need: Limbic Capitalism is happy to take advantage of our insecurities. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about keeping us hooked on the idea that we’re always just one purchase away from perfection. This is why every app, from dating to fitness, is designed to keep you engaged, scrolling, and paying.
Sell It as Progress: Late-Stage Capitalism ties it all together by packaging it as progress. Look at all the choices you have! Isn’t it great that you can customize every part of your life for a price? Who needs universal healthcare when you can have a subscription box for mindfulness?
Final thoughts
In the end, Late-Stage Capitalism, Limbic Capitalism, and Cultural Narcissism are like a dysfunctional family.
They might drive each other crazy, but they work together perfectly.
And while this might all sound a bit grim, the humor behind the Late-Stage Capitalism meme gives us a way to cope.
It’s a reminder that we’re all in this strange reality together, trying to make sense of a world where billionaires build space rockets while the rest of us hope for better healthcare. If we can laugh at the absurdity, maybe we can find some sanity in the process.
In a world where everything is for sale—even your attention span—the Late-Stage Capitalism meme gives us a way to laugh at the craziness. It’s not a revolution, but hey, it’s a start.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
REFERENCES:
Lasch, C. (1979). The Culture of Narcissism: American Life in an Age of Diminishing Expectations. New York: W. W. Norton.
Lustig, R. H. (2017). The Hacking of the American Mind: The Science Behind the Corporate Takeover of Our Bodies and Brains. New York: Avery.
Mandel, E. (1972). Late Capitalism. London: Verso Books.
Reddit. (n.d.). r/latestagecapitalism. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/latestagecapitalism/
Twitter Trends. (2023). #LateStageCapitalism. Twitter. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/
TikTok Trends. (2023). How the Economy Messes with Your Brain. TikTok. Retrieved from https://www.tiktok.com/