Gold to represent the corrupting influence of greed, and blue to represent the better angels of out nature are used throughout Better Call Saul as Jimmy McGill transforms into Saul Goodman. For me the overriding theme of Squid Game is the tension between the human and the inhumane, and how the former is consumed by the latter when survival is at stake. My mom was a survivor of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. This series captured the sense of looming death that hung over her head from the first days of the Lodz ghetto until her liberation in the spring of 1945. She played the Squid Game for five years.
Small complaint, North Korea isn't actually communist. Starting in the 90's they began replacing the ideology with something called juche, which is essentially communism, but the class structure is seen as good.
It’s funny, I feel like half the stories I hear about Squid Game are about it’s anti-capitalist message, and the other half are about how it made nine hundred million dollars for Netflix.
@@FallopiumFilms Great channel! I’ve watched your Spectre video multiple times in the last month! The other Bond ones, too. It was easy to remember where to find them because you have the most memorable channel name ever.
The evil, the greedy, the one who doesn't feel the tug of conscience rises to the top, they corrupt every system to serve them. Humanity is not wholly good or wholly evil. We have the capacity for both, but good tends to thrive in little bubbles while the evil tends to be an oppressive cloud. Evil in society is always more powerful, but good always perseveres and survives. If and when all good is extinguished, the spirit of humanity would've died, and soon after the whole civilization.
I really appreciate a video on Squid Game different than all the other ones so far. The opposition you highlight that's presented in the show between domestic and foreign, the national and the international is a great point, and probably explains much better the problem with capitalism others point to. Capitalism is of course an universal ideology. Logically free trade isn't limited to national borders but should apply to the whole world. Buying and selling goods across the world is one thing, the free movement of capital and labor are another. Opponents tend to focus on the former, as can be seen in the reaction to Squid Game, instead of the former, which the show also doesn't comment much on. Nevertheless, I do not believe Squid Game blames it all on capitalism, alternatively, it's centered around the fallibility of humans, their proneness to make mistakes and the consequences of making them. The two finalists, the main character and his childhood friend, are clear representatives of personal failures who didn't fix them but doubled down instead. 456 is a lazy bum who doesn't work and gambles away his mother's money, while 218 (his friend) failed making good trades in the foreign exchange market. While it is true to say their problems are due to capitalism, after all, there is no gambling or a foreign exchange market in North Korea, they only have this 'freedom' in a developed capitalist country. However, their problems can't be blamed on capitalism itself. Instead it was their own behavior, their own mistakes, which led them to the debt they have now, mistakes they couldn't have made without capitalism in the first place. Once again debt wouldn't be an issue in North Korea, since there's also no possibility of borrowing money to try and be successful in the first place. The difference is that in North Korea everyone is enslaved, while in South Korea only those who make mistakes and double down on them become victims of "debt bondage". There are two more things I think the show expresses. First, the show demonstrates that democracy is an illusion. When the characters start the vote to determine whether the game will end or not they have an unequal amount, which means a 50/50 split isn't possible. As each participant votes, both sides remain roughly equal until the last person has to vote. At this point the score is dead even and the final person will determine the outcome of the vote. This person also happens to be the old man who owns and runs the entire thing. This is, in my consideration, a very accurate demonstration of how useless democracy actually is. The show portrays, provided that there's a clear majority, your side would have won/lost without your participation anyway. Thus, your vote doesn't matter unless you're the deciding vote. But who decides what the final vote is anyway? In the show it's the old man who had control over the final say in the vote, but also on the rules by making them in the first place. In real life, the last election cycle showed how fragile and open to subversion a voting process is and the power elites have over the entire process. Finally, the show points out this game is an elaborate scheme to satisfy the depraved lusts of high ranking elites throughout the world who travel all over the globe to engage in these depraving activities. Everyone who knows of Jeffrey Epstein knows this is essentially true. I'll admit that they probably don't have a bloody game show like this. Instead, they are satisfied with touching minors. Additionally, I also noted the religious moments in the tv show, but didn't think much of them as I thought this was just a Korean thing I'm unfamiliar with due to not living there. I will have to think some more on this point. PS, why do people keep calling it a "battle royale"? This show is essentially the same as Wipeout or Who want to be a millionaire? it's a game show, without being televised and only viewable by the VIPs. I don't see why calling this a battle royale wouldn't make other competition shows like X-Factor, The Voice, or MasterChef battle royale games either.
I think the battle royale name implies that the game is “to the death”. No matter the rules, or level of broadcasting, if its a “last man standing” sort of situation, battle royale is usually the term used.
@@FallopiumFilms Thanks for the reply. That does seem like the only difference, but then that would make Saw a battle royale as well right? I guess I just dont like people seemingly arbitrarily changing language like this.
Excellent video. All systems fail because greedy men (so far) capture them. It doesn't matter if it's capitalism or communism or anything in between nor outside of it. When power is concentrated in the hands of a small number of men - whether via accumulated wealth, through violence, or through the manipulation and exploitation of governmental / state structures - then whatever economic or political system they are in is bound to be exploited without very very stringent and strong structures in place that disincentive that socially destructive desire for greed and directly encourage (to play on man's own flaws, such as greed, but direct it in a way that does not consolidate their power further
I perceived the social commentary quite differently. The game represents the control and cruelty of a corrupt communist system with the real world representing capitalism and its freedom in abandonment. An anti-communist critique overall. I felt the main focus of this series however, was on the most emotionally painful moments experienced in life, such as the death or suffering of loved ones or being forced to act contrary to your own convictions. Some powerful scenes engendering the raw despair and agony of such things.
Your analysis are too sophisticated for this world. I wonder if you ever saw movie Personal Shopper with Kristen Stewart. That seem as excellent piece for analysis.:)
I really enjoyed your video and your analysis of this great show; this is some nice work! I'm curious about your presuppositions on God, though. From Christian theology regarding God, the Father and Jesus Christ are both two of three persons of a triune God, equal in nature. Christian theology teaches that humans are inherently evil (Romans 3:10-12); God (Father+Son+Spirit) views humanity consistently. Both Father and Son view humanity as needing redemption. I can see why you'd make a contrast of beliefs there and such, but it's just inconsistent with Christian theology.
@@FallopiumFilms Maybe, but that doesn't really hold up with Christian theology, especially with the nature of God. Jesus was arrested and crucified for his claims to be equal with the Father, so even non-Christian sources back that up. Anyways, the point is there isn't a difference of approach with the persobs of God in regards to humanity either through the Father or the Son: both seek the redemption and salvation of humankind and also their final judgment (in John's gospel, Jesus is quoted as having the authority and role to judge humans - a role typically thpugh of by some as attributed to and more characterized by the Father, for example). I hope some of my comments have been helpful! I'm always seeking theological themes and such with movies and television.
I don't get it. All this contemplation about system and nothing about history. What system did we have in medieval times, f.e.? Capitalism plays no role here. I understand why people think so, it's actually logical, but you are just not looking wider. And once you do, you will see how silly or just blind you were. You're welcome.
The idea that capitalism is just human nature is absurd, and defeatist. Capitalism isn't human nature, it's just that you've been living in it for so long that you can't imagine any other way of organizing society. But the fact is, ever since we had acquired language (70k-100k years ago) we've been living mostly in egalitarian societies with no concept of ownership. And we only had this stupid system we're in for like 300 years, and it was forced upon us by a bunch of aristocrats in England.
This channel is so underrated wtf I'm binge watching all of your videos, how are you not more popular
Yeah I feel ya lol
I really enjoyed your work on colour in Fargo, and was delighted that you'd commented on Squid Game.
Gold to represent the corrupting influence of greed, and blue to represent the better angels of out nature are used throughout Better Call Saul as Jimmy McGill transforms into Saul Goodman. For me the overriding theme of Squid Game is the tension between the human and the inhumane, and how the former is consumed by the latter when survival is at stake. My mom was a survivor of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen. This series captured the sense of looming death that hung over her head from the first days of the Lodz ghetto until her liberation in the spring of 1945. She played the Squid Game for five years.
Wow, thank you for this comment
Small complaint, North Korea isn't actually communist. Starting in the 90's they began replacing the ideology with something called juche, which is essentially communism, but the class structure is seen as good.
Yeah I know it’s kind of it’s own even more religious and culty kind of thing. Just talking broadly
these small channels here are so refreshing. no nordvpn, raid shadow legends or skillshare cancer
11:10 makes me reflect on Cesaires 1950 discourse
Another great video, would love to see you do a video about arrival. One of my favourite movies and I'm sure you'd leave me enjoying it in new says
The hair clip isn't just those shapes put together it is the actual squid game play arena.
It’s funny, I feel like half the stories I hear about Squid Game are about it’s anti-capitalist message, and the other half are about how it made nine hundred million dollars for Netflix.
great comment
@@FallopiumFilms Great channel! I’ve watched your Spectre video multiple times in the last month! The other Bond ones, too. It was easy to remember where to find them because you have the most memorable channel name ever.
@@GoatMalp And to think I've always been worried the name wouldn't work. Music to my ears!
You're the best!!!
Don’t hate the Squid Player baby, hate the Squid Game.
6:00 I doubt it was arbitrary. German methods
How does this channel have so few subscribers/views? I'm flummoxed by it.
you're telling me
The evil, the greedy, the one who doesn't feel the tug of conscience rises to the top, they corrupt every system to serve them. Humanity is not wholly good or wholly evil. We have the capacity for both, but good tends to thrive in little bubbles while the evil tends to be an oppressive cloud. Evil in society is always more powerful, but good always perseveres and survives. If and when all good is extinguished, the spirit of humanity would've died, and soon after the whole civilization.
Ya see? these are the comments we need more of
subed
I really appreciate a video on Squid Game different than all the other ones so far. The opposition you highlight that's presented in the show between domestic and foreign, the national and the international is a great point, and probably explains much better the problem with capitalism others point to. Capitalism is of course an universal ideology. Logically free trade isn't limited to national borders but should apply to the whole world. Buying and selling goods across the world is one thing, the free movement of capital and labor are another. Opponents tend to focus on the former, as can be seen in the reaction to Squid Game, instead of the former, which the show also doesn't comment much on.
Nevertheless, I do not believe Squid Game blames it all on capitalism, alternatively, it's centered around the fallibility of humans, their proneness to make mistakes and the consequences of making them. The two finalists, the main character and his childhood friend, are clear representatives of personal failures who didn't fix them but doubled down instead. 456 is a lazy bum who doesn't work and gambles away his mother's money, while 218 (his friend) failed making good trades in the foreign exchange market. While it is true to say their problems are due to capitalism, after all, there is no gambling or a foreign exchange market in North Korea, they only have this 'freedom' in a developed capitalist country. However, their problems can't be blamed on capitalism itself. Instead it was their own behavior, their own mistakes, which led them to the debt they have now, mistakes they couldn't have made without capitalism in the first place. Once again debt wouldn't be an issue in North Korea, since there's also no possibility of borrowing money to try and be successful in the first place. The difference is that in North Korea everyone is enslaved, while in South Korea only those who make mistakes and double down on them become victims of "debt bondage".
There are two more things I think the show expresses. First, the show demonstrates that democracy is an illusion. When the characters start the vote to determine whether the game will end or not they have an unequal amount, which means a 50/50 split isn't possible. As each participant votes, both sides remain roughly equal until the last person has to vote. At this point the score is dead even and the final person will determine the outcome of the vote. This person also happens to be the old man who owns and runs the entire thing. This is, in my consideration, a very accurate demonstration of how useless democracy actually is. The show portrays, provided that there's a clear majority, your side would have won/lost without your participation anyway. Thus, your vote doesn't matter unless you're the deciding vote. But who decides what the final vote is anyway? In the show it's the old man who had control over the final say in the vote, but also on the rules by making them in the first place. In real life, the last election cycle showed how fragile and open to subversion a voting process is and the power elites have over the entire process.
Finally, the show points out this game is an elaborate scheme to satisfy the depraved lusts of high ranking elites throughout the world who travel all over the globe to engage in these depraving activities. Everyone who knows of Jeffrey Epstein knows this is essentially true. I'll admit that they probably don't have a bloody game show like this. Instead, they are satisfied with touching minors.
Additionally, I also noted the religious moments in the tv show, but didn't think much of them as I thought this was just a Korean thing I'm unfamiliar with due to not living there. I will have to think some more on this point.
PS, why do people keep calling it a "battle royale"? This show is essentially the same as Wipeout or Who want to be a millionaire? it's a game show, without being televised and only viewable by the VIPs. I don't see why calling this a battle royale wouldn't make other competition shows like X-Factor, The Voice, or MasterChef battle royale games either.
wow... well said!
I think the battle royale name implies that the game is “to the death”. No matter the rules, or level of broadcasting, if its a “last man standing” sort of situation, battle royale is usually the term used.
@@FallopiumFilms Thanks for the reply. That does seem like the only difference, but then that would make Saw a battle royale as well right? I guess I just dont like people seemingly arbitrarily changing language like this.
@@reilysmith5187 ya, literally.
Excellent video. All systems fail because greedy men (so far) capture them. It doesn't matter if it's capitalism or communism or anything in between nor outside of it. When power is concentrated in the hands of a small number of men - whether via accumulated wealth, through violence, or through the manipulation and exploitation of governmental / state structures - then whatever economic or political system they are in is bound to be exploited without very very stringent and strong structures in place that disincentive that socially destructive desire for greed and directly encourage (to play on man's own flaws, such as greed, but direct it in a way that does not consolidate their power further
09:00 Gold Rings or Diamonds?
yup, doesnt matter the system, mankind will imbue it with evil
You my man, make good content.
Thank you
I perceived the social commentary quite differently. The game represents the control and cruelty of a corrupt communist system with the real world representing capitalism and its freedom in abandonment. An anti-communist critique overall. I felt the main focus of this series however, was on the most emotionally painful moments experienced in life, such as the death or suffering of loved ones or being forced to act contrary to your own convictions. Some powerful scenes engendering the raw despair and agony of such things.
Your analysis are too sophisticated for this world. I wonder if you ever saw movie Personal Shopper with Kristen Stewart. That seem as excellent piece for analysis.:)
I remember the trailer from a long time ago. I know nothing about it but I’ll take your recommendation seriously and check it out
@@FallopiumFilms Thank you so much.Hearing your opinion about it would be great.
I really enjoyed your video and your analysis of this great show; this is some nice work!
I'm curious about your presuppositions on God, though. From Christian theology regarding God, the Father and Jesus Christ are both two of three persons of a triune God, equal in nature. Christian theology teaches that humans are inherently evil (Romans 3:10-12); God (Father+Son+Spirit) views humanity consistently. Both Father and Son view humanity as needing redemption.
I can see why you'd make a contrast of beliefs there and such, but it's just inconsistent with Christian theology.
Well sure, but most religious ideologies are inconsistent with themselves. It isn’t just about the text, it’s who’s reading it
@@FallopiumFilms Maybe, but that doesn't really hold up with Christian theology, especially with the nature of God. Jesus was arrested and crucified for his claims to be equal with the Father, so even non-Christian sources back that up.
Anyways, the point is there isn't a difference of approach with the persobs of God in regards to humanity either through the Father or the Son: both seek the redemption and salvation of humankind and also their final judgment (in John's gospel, Jesus is quoted as having the authority and role to judge humans - a role typically thpugh of by some as attributed to and more characterized by the Father, for example).
I hope some of my comments have been helpful! I'm always seeking theological themes and such with movies and television.
You talk like as if the system is a given, the system is created by us humans.
Dr Syed Mutafa Ali of bandung?
I don't get it. All this contemplation about system and nothing about history. What system did we have in medieval times, f.e.?
Capitalism plays no role here. I understand why people think so, it's actually logical, but you are just not looking wider. And once you do, you will see how silly or just blind you were.
You're welcome.
Lol
extremely overrated show.
The idea that capitalism is just human nature is absurd, and defeatist.
Capitalism isn't human nature, it's just that you've been living in it for so long that you can't imagine any other way of organizing society.
But the fact is, ever since we had acquired language (70k-100k years ago) we've been living mostly in egalitarian societies with no concept of ownership.
And we only had this stupid system we're in for like 300 years, and it was forced upon us by a bunch of aristocrats in England.