memes.cjtrowbridge.com

Anti-Capitalism - Minimum Wage

First Seen:

2023-05-30T20:08:53+00:00

Gemma-3-27b's Take:

Okay, here's an analysis of the social media post broken down into the sections you requested, only where applicable. Given the content, several of those theoretical frameworks *will* be relevant, while others won't be as applicable. **Visual Description** The image is a screenshot of a post from X (formerly Twitter). It features a profile picture of a man (Qasim Rashid, Esq.), alongside his username. The main content is a text post containing a claim about wage stagnation in relation to productivity growth since 1960. The post argues that wages should be $24/hour if they had kept pace with productivity, suggesting a $17/hour "theft" from workers, and a total of $50T lost over 60 years. The post concludes by stating that the problem isn't a lack of resources, but an excess of greed. At the bottom are metrics for engagement: 53 shares, 1238 re-posts, 3597 likes and a comment icon. The background is a light gray-blue. --- **Marxist Conflict Theory** This post is deeply rooted in Marxist Conflict Theory. Here's how: * **Exploitation of Labor:** The core argument revolves around the idea that workers are being exploited. Marx argued that capitalists (owners of the means of production) extract surplus value from the labor of workers, paying them less than the full value of what they produce. This post claims that this exploitation has been systematically occurring for decades, leading to a massive transfer of wealth from workers to corporations and billionaires. The "$17/hour theft" directly frames the situation as one of capital unjustly accumulating at the expense of labor. * **Class Struggle:** The post implicitly highlights class struggle. The framing of "billionaires & corporations" versus "working Americans" establishes a clear division between the owning class (bourgeoisie) and the working class (proletariat). It suggests an ongoing conflict over the distribution of wealth. * **Capital Accumulation:** The claim of a "$50T" transfer of wealth is a direct statement about the accumulation of capital in the hands of a few, which is central to Marxist analysis. * **Alienation:** While not explicitly stated, the post implies a sense of alienation. Workers are not receiving the full benefits of their productivity, creating a disconnect between their labor and its rewards. --- **Critical Theory** This post aligns with several tenets of Critical Theory: * **Critique of Power Structures:** The post challenges the existing power structures – specifically, the economic power of corporations and the wealthy. It isn't simply a statement of fact, but a critique of the system that allows such inequality to persist. * **Ideology and Hegemony:** The post implies that the current state of affairs is not natural or inevitable, but a result of ideological forces that maintain the status quo. The "greed" mentioned is presented as a dominant ideology driving the exploitation. * **Emancipation:** While not directly stated, the post implicitly suggests the need for emancipation from exploitative systems. By highlighting the injustice, it invites consideration of alternative economic arrangements. * **Deconstruction of "Neutral" Concepts:** The post challenges the notion that economic forces are "neutral" or simply a matter of market dynamics. It frames them as tools used to maintain power imbalances. --- **Foucauldian Genealogical Discourse Analysis** A Foucauldian analysis would focus on how the *discourse* around wages, productivity, and wealth is constructed and how it operates as a form of power. * **Power/Knowledge:** Foucault argued that power and knowledge are intertwined. This post demonstrates how the *knowledge* of productivity rates and wage stagnation is used to *challenge* existing power structures. The post effectively deconstructs the narrative that current wealth disparities are simply the result of "market forces." It presents an alternative "truth" about the systematic exploitation of labor. * **Genealogy of the Concept of "Fair Wage":** A genealogical approach could trace the historical development of the concept of a "fair wage." It could examine how the idea of a "living wage" has been historically contested and how it has been used (or not used) as a tool for social and economic justice. * **Discursive Practices:** The language used in the post ("theft," "stolen") is not neutral. It is deliberately chosen to frame the issue as one of injustice and to mobilize moral outrage. This is a key element of how discourse operates as a form of power. * **Normalisation:** The post challenges the normalization of low wages and extreme wealth inequality. By highlighting the gap between productivity and wages, it makes the current situation appear as abnormal and unjust. --- **Postmodernism** While not a central focus, elements of postmodern thought are present: * **Deconstruction of Grand Narratives:** The post challenges the "grand narrative" of economic progress and the idea that a rising tide lifts all boats. It exposes the disparities and suggests that the benefits of productivity gains have not been shared equitably. * **Relativism:** While not explicit, the post implies that there is no single, objective definition of "fairness" or "value." The claim of "$17/hour theft" is a moral judgment that challenges the dominant economic logic. * **Critique of Objectivity:** The post questions the objectivity of economic data and how it is used to justify inequality. It suggests that the data can be interpreted in different ways to reveal the underlying power dynamics. --- **Queer Feminist Intersectional Analysis** This post is less directly applicable to Queer Feminist Intersectional Analysis, but there are potential intersections. The wage gap affects marginalized groups *disproportionately*. For example: * **Intersectionality:** The effects of wage stagnation are compounded by other forms of oppression, such as racism, sexism, and ableism. Marginalized groups are often relegated to low-wage jobs, making them more vulnerable to exploitation. * **Gendered Labour:** Many low-wage jobs are held by women, and are often undervalued as "women's work." * **Class & Gender Interplay:** The post highlights a critique of capitalism, which historically has not accounted for the unpaid labour and essential care work primarily done by women. * **Economic Justice & Queer/Feminist Struggles:** The call for economic justice aligns with broader queer and feminist struggles for equality and liberation. Let me know if you'd like me to elaborate on any of these points or explore other theoretical frameworks!

Llama-3.2-11b's Take:

This meme is a humorous commentary on the wealth disparity in the United States. The image features a quote from a 2020 article by economist Gabriel Zadrozny, which states: "If the minimum wage had kept up with productivity since 1960, it would be over $24 an hour today, not $7.25." The meme is a sarcastic response to this fact, implying that the wealthy have benefited from this disparity while the working class has suffered.