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Capitalism, while it may have its merits, can often seem downright absurd. We live in a world where profits are very often put over people, and the pursuit of endless growth is prioritized over sustainability. Not to mention little things like companies using manipulative advertising tactics to convince us to buy things we don't need, the prevalence of unpaid internships and so on.

So let's take a moment to reflect on the absurdities of capitalism with some examples of what this economic and political system is actually like in our day-to-day lives. For this article, we’ve collected some of the best posts shared by the Instagram page “Humans of Capitalism”, documenting the most extreme and dystopian instances of corporate power. Scroll down to see what we mean.

If you liked this list and are interested in exploring further, you can take a look at Bored Panda's previous articles here and here.

#1

A woman holding hands, standing on a waste-covered beach, illustrating the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #2

    Sign reading "No matter how good you are, you can always be replaced," illustrating capitalism's absurdity.

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    #3

    Amazon warehouse beside shanties, highlighting capitalism's absurdity with stark wealth contrast.

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    #4

    Cartoon of businessmen in pink suits handshaking, with text highlighting the absurdity of capitalism through "hard work."

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    #5

    Elderly man celebrates buying his first home at 86, illustrating the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #6

    Woman using phone between faceless statues, highlighting absurdity in capitalism.

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    #7

    Sign taped to a door shows irony of capitalism; closed for two days due to employee overwork.

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    #8

    Monk confronting police line, dramatically highlighting capitalism's absurdity in a street protest scene.

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    #9

    Man sitting next to Spider-Man gravestone, removed for copyright, showcasing absurdity of capitalism.

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    #10

    Tips to save on gas include ironic advice: "Seize the means of production," highlighting capitalism's absurdity.

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    #11

    Capitalism irony: Headline about couple returning to Ukraine due to poor UK rental options.

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    #12

    Capitalism irony: crematorium sign next to McDonald's McCrispy ad, highlighting absurd juxtaposition.

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    #13

    Sign humorously highlights the absurdity of capitalism with a reminder about muting Amazon Echo before discussing patient info.

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    #14

    DJ Khaled at a game, holding phone, sneakers resting on a plush pillow; a humorous take on capitalism’s absurdity.

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    #15

    Domino's delivery person trekking on a rocky mountain path, illustrating absurdity in capitalism.

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    #16

    Burger King hiring sign reading "Work for a king, not a clown," highlighting the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #17

    Santa in a factory among workers sewing, highlighting capitalism's absurdity in a juxtaposition of holiday imagery and labor.

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    #18

    ATM installed in a historic stone building, illustrating capitalism's absurdity against a backdrop of cobblestone street and cross.

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    #19

    Beach littered with trash as people enjoy the shore, highlighting capitalism's absurdity.

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    #20

    Coffin-shaped office chairs on wheels illustrating the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #21

    Man wearing a red cap with "Legalize Freedom" slogan, reflecting capitalism absurdity.

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    #22

    Couple with balloons at a waterfall dyed blue, showcasing absurdity of capitalism.

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    #23

    "Sign saying 'Please do not feed the employees' in a pizza shop, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism."

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    #24

    A person taking a selfie next to an ancient statue, illustrating the absurdity of capitalism in a museum setting.

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    #25

    Close-up of hand holding dog waste in plastic bag, highlighting capitalism's absurdity with ironic text above.

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    #26

    Man standing in front of colorful coffins branded with TikTok and other logos, showcasing absurdity of capitalism.

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    #27

    Three people sitting at a cafe table in a flooded plaza, showcasing the absurdity of capitalism with a historic building backdrop.

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    #28

    Gothic cathedral with a large modern smartphone advertisement, illustrating capitalism's absurdity.

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    #29

    Woman kneeling in front of fashion store window, man holding Chanel umbrella, depicting absurdity of capitalism.

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    #30

    McDonald's exterior at dusk, with headline about woman giving birth in bathroom, highlighting capitalism's absurdity.

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    #31

    Person in beekeeping suit with a baby in a carrier tending to beehives, illustrating the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #32

    Child's Victorian costume labeled "Poor Victorian," highlighting capitalism absurdity in retail.

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    #33

    Couple kissing on horseback in the sea with a man between the horses, illustrating capitalism absurdity.

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    #34

    Person holding a phone with a shirt that reads "put the phone down," illustrating the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #35

    Worn black leather shoes with a BMW logo, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #36

    Candles with famous faces parodying religious iconography, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #37

    Man with tattoos on his face and head, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism with ironic text choices.

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    #38

    Sunglasses with a crucifix and swords in the background, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #39

    Hand holding flowers under artificial skylight, showcasing capitalism's absurdity.

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    #40

    Fish with price tags in a tank, highlighting the absurdity of capitalism.

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    #41

    Finger with mini ultrasound detail pinned, in front of a full ultrasound image, highlighting capitalism's absurdity.

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