No Royal Road - Neo-Feudalism, Or The Fuzzy Edges of Capitalism, part 4

While the introduction music is that of Varn Vlog on this podcaster, this series will be simultaneously released on both the Varn Vlog podcast feed and the Regrettable Century podcast feed.   This is a long-running series we are doing on understanding social technologies, relationships of production, and how we get here:  i.e. what is the social and class history of the past.   In this episode, we discuss Evgeny Morozov's "Critique of Techno-Feudal Reason." We specifically focus on the revisions to Marxist theoretical development that enables the thesis.Ready to challenge your perception of capitalism and neo-feudalism? Be prepared as we venture into the heart of Eugenia Morozov's critique of neo-feudal reason. Together, we'll grapple with the intricate workings of rents and fictitious capital as outlined in Cedric Durant's Fictitious Capital, turning the trope of predatory financial capital on its head. We'll also navigate the political landscape shaped by the dichotomy between China's industrial capital and the West's financial capital. Fasten your seatbelts as we confront the profit investment puzzle and the stagnation of capitalism and technological innovation. We’ll delve into the impact of monopolization, financialization, globalization, and digitization on firms and the rise of monopsony pricing. You'll be fascinated as we demystify the stagnation in computer technology, employing examples like Air Force One and the iPhone. And if you're starved for intellectual stimulation, you're in for a treat as we discuss the works of thinkers like David Graber, Mark Fisher, Tyler Cohen, and Rausoff.Still with us? Good, because we're not done yet. Let's roll up our sleeves and get into the nitty-gritty of Marxist theory. From the wisdom of tradition and epistolic succession to the alienation of labour and the fetishization of commodities, we're going deep. We'll question the true meaning of being a Marxist, examining the tendency of inverting liberal shibboleths to break away from that. A final word of caution: this episode might just make you question everything you thought you knew about capitalism and neo-feudalism. So, if you're ready for some intellectual heavy lifting, then let’s get started!Send us Fan Mail Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon, Buddy Roark, Daniel Petrovic,Julian, Drea, Free Beer