[mgrthrow]

Karl Marx talks a lot about alienation as capitalism advances. Alienation from our labor, alienation from our society, and eventually alienation from the self.

Independent of how you think of the rest of Marx's work, I think it's useful to examine this specific concept in the modern era. What you are describing is a classic example of alienation from society - as our society turns increasingly to machines to create and deliver entertainment it's easier for us all to just... stay separated and isolated. Machines tell us marvel movies are profitable, so we get marvel movies, etc.

And I know hn is not a fan of Marx, generally, but this concept I really think is applicable here.

[mythrwy]

I wonder if the same type of alienation appeared in late Soviet Russia or Mao's (or even current day) China? That was also people having the humanity ground out of them by a faceless technocratic machine not really a happy community of people helping each other.

The problem might be less "capitalism" and more the rise of large highly specialized bureaucratic nation states.

[mgrthrow]

I would argue that Soviet states were autocracies (and some would argue they were capitalist, just state capitalist.)

Stalin sucks, flat out. Any socialist or communist who thinks Stalin was good should not be listened to.