Episode 222: Capitalism, The (Board) Game

In the final episode of 2024, Amanda is inspired by a conversation with her friend Janelle to explore board games that teach children (and adults) the “winner takes all” aspect of late stage capitalism and/or reinforce the message that success=stuff.

• We’ll take a journey through the history of board games, with a deep dive into the Game of Life.
• We’ll check out the shopping focused games of the 1980s and 90s, including Mall Madness.
• We will touch on some other games that just seem agonizing for adults to play, like Payday (too real).
• And we’ll explore the origin story of Monopoly, along with all of the other games that (accidentally or otherwise) seem to reinforce dumb ideas like the bootstrap myth.

Amanda also talks about what a "no buy year" means to her (and somehow ties into board games, because why not).

This episode also includes an audio essay from Eleisha of SHIFT, a refillery in Narberth, PA. Find SHIFT on Instagram: @mainlineshift

Learn more about board games:

"Why the game of Life used to have poverty, suicide, and ruin," Phil Edwards, Vox.
Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History, American Experience (PBS)
"5 Wild Facts About Mall Madness," Jake Rossen, Mental Floss.

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