@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar pluralistic , to random

Today's threads (a thread)

Inside: Google's AI pricing plan; and more!

Archived at: https://pluralistic.net/2026/01/21/cod-marxism/

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Google's Mountain View headquarters. The scene is animated: the building is quickly covered with price-tags ranging from 0.99 to 99999.99. In the final frames, 99999.99 tags cover all the other price tags. In the background, rising over the roof of the Googleplex like the rising sun, is the staring red eye of HAL 9000 from Stanley Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey.' Image: Noah_Loverbear (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_Mountain_View_California_-_panoramio.jpg CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en -- Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

18+ pluralistic OP ,
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@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar pluralistic , to random

There's a whole greedflation-denial cottage industry that insists that rising prices are either the result of unknowable, untameable and mysterious economic forces, or they're the result of workers having too much money and too many jobs.

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If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/12/11/nothing-personal/#instacartography

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Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en
ALT
18+ pluralistic OP ,
@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar

It's a form of cod-Marxism: "from each according to their desperation":

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/11/socialism-for-the-wealthy/#rugged-individualism-for-the-poor

The economy is riddled with surveillance pricing gouging. You are almost certainly paying more than your neighbors for various items, based on algorithmic price-setting, every day.

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@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar pluralistic , to random

One of the most surprising professional/creative developments of my middle-age has been discovering my love of collage. I've never been a visual person. I can't draw, I can't guess if a piece of furniture will fit in a given niche, I can't catch a ball, and I can't tell you if a picture is crooked.

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If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this thread to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2025/12/03/cannier-valley/#bricoleur

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An artist at an easel, wearing a smock and holding a palette. The head of the artist and the subject in the oil painting have been replaced with the poop emoji from the cover of the US edition of 'Enshittification,' which has angry eyebrows and a black, grawlix-scrawled bar over its mouth.
ALT
18+ pluralistic OP ,
@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar

The cod-Marxism of personalized pricing

I don't often get a chance to use Chinese communist propaganda posters, but I love working with them. All public domain, available at high rez, and always to the point. It was a lot of work matting those US flags onto the partially furled Chinese flags, but it worked out great.

https://pluralistic.net/2025/01/11/socialism-for-the-wealthy/#rugged-individualism-for-the-poor

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cod-marxism.jpg A Soviet propaganda poster depicting two workers holding flags in front of a locomotive. The flags have been replaced with US flags. The locomotive's face has been replaced with the glaring red eye of HAL 9000 from Kubrick's '2001: A Space Odyssey.' The maxim below has been replaced with the lettering from a Walmart 'everyday low prices' sign. The background has been replaced with a posterized grocery aisle."
ALT
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    • @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random

    The mountainous Icelandic Highlands landscape under a cloudy sky showcases an endless variety of rugged terrains, deep gullies, and gentle slopes.

    https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/misty-icelandic-highlands-landscape-with-snow-joan-carroll.html

    @joancarroll

    The mountainous Icelandic Highlands landscape under a cloudy sky showcases an endless variety of rugged terrains, deep gullies, and gentle slopes.
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    @DebraMartz@photog.social avatar DebraMartz , to random

    Rugged Coastline of Arnarstapi Iceland by Debra Martz
    Arnarstapi's coastline beauty lies in the rugged coastline of lava formations and basalt columns easily viewed from a shoreline hiking trail. This part of the shoreline has been a natural reserve since 1979.

    https://debra-martz.pixels.com/featured/rugged-coastline-of-arnarstapi-iceland-debra-martz.html

    @DebraMartz

    A breathtaking view of jagged cliffs meeting the ocean under a clear sky. Lush green grass covers the top, contrasting with the deep blues of the water. Photography by Debra Martz
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    @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random

    The Icelandic Highlands, viewed from above, showing an intricate pattern of brown lava rock and yellow lichens/mosses.
    https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/icelandic-highlands-joan-carroll.html

    @joancarroll

    The Icelandic Highlands, viewed from above, showing an intricate pattern of brown lava rock and yellow lichens/mosses.
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    @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random

    Towering sea stacks (thrjatiudalastapi in English) rise above the rugged coastline of the Westfjords in Iceland. The grass peeking through the crevices adds a touch of color to the stark, gray stones. A cloudy sky looms overhead, completing the dramatic scene.

    https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/sea-stacks-rock-formations-in-iceland-joan-carroll.html

    @joancarroll

    Towering sea stacks (thrjatiudalastapi in English) rise above the rugged coastline of the Westfjords in Iceland. The grass peeking through the crevices adds a touch of color to the stark, gray stones. A cloudy sky looms overhead, completing the dramatic scene.
    ALT
    @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random

    Late day sunlight casts a warm glow over the iconic rock formations of Monument Valley, highlighting the rugged terrain and sweeping landscape. This is the view of Monument Valley from John Ford's Point.

    https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/late-day-view-of-monument-valley-joan-carroll.html

    @joancarroll

    Late day sunlight casts a warm glow over the iconic rock formations of Monument Valley, highlighting the rugged terrain and sweeping landscape. This is the view of Monument Valley from John Ford's Point.
    ALT
    @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random
    @joancarroll@photog.social avatar joancarroll , to random

    Moody clouds dance across snow-capped towering Patagonian mountains. The rugged terrain showcases a contrast of rocky textures and vibrant shades.

    @joancarroll

    https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/patagonian-mountain-peaks-joan-carroll.html

    Moody clouds dance across snow-capped towering Patagonian mountains. The rugged terrain showcases a contrast of rocky textures and vibrant shades. #patagonia #chile #mountains #chile #snowcapped #andes #dramatic #peaks #rugged #clouds #BuyIntoArt #AYearForArt #artforsale #wallartforsale #giftideas @joancarroll https://joan-carroll.pixels.com/featured/patagonian-mountain-peaks-joan-carroll.html
    ALT