Mushrooms are Marxist (sort of)

 

Have you ever had the honour of looking at a fungal species and casually going, "Oh, look at the very uncanny, absolutely indubitable, resemblance this innocent piece of a (perhaps dead) saprophytic organism has to one of the world's most hotly debated socio-political systems"?

No?

Well, now you will.

What is Marxism?

In an alternate timeline, the world is run by socks. There are two ways in which this can work out.

A problem that could even challenge Sock-rates

Plan A

Firstly, some people start with a lot of socks, and they can buy and sell socks freely. The more socks they have, the more power and influence they hold. This leads to a sock hierarchy, where some people have sock abundance, while others struggle to get even a single pair. 

The sock market is competitive, and folks are driven by the desire to accumulate as many socks as possible. 

What this also means is the market-driven sock society promotes individualism, choice, and the pursuit of the comfiest and most stylish socks.

From a purely economic point of view, it's a system where individual success is the primary focus.

Welcome to capitalism, mi amigo.

Everybody has a different amount of socks, and this determines their social standing

Plan B

Second system. Here we go.

Here, there's a Universal Sock Sharing Coalition. Folks work together to produce socks collectively, and everyone gets an equal share of the socks. The idea is to eliminate the sock inequality seen in the capitalist part of the world. 

There are no rich sock-owning people or poor sock-less people; instead, everyone contributes to sock production, and socks are distributed according to everyone's needs. 

The emphasis is on cooperation and the common good, with the goal of achieving a classless sock society.

However, this approach means that there's less variety in sock styles, as the focus is on meeting essential needs rather than catering to individual preferences.

This, right here, is an intensely watered-down version of Marxism.

"Pretty cool, huh." - Not the first person

So in the end, it boils down to the argument between competition and cooperation. What is more important? Individual success or collective well-being?

Some people prefer not to take a side at all. These fellows sometimes call themselves centrists and derive great joy from pissing off both sides, as in, marxists and capitalists, by pointing out their mistakes.

Others don't get involved in side-taking at all – these people are called apolitical. Is it an open-minded approach or a rather cowardly one? You decide.

What is a Mushroom?

A mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source.

Mushrooms play various ecological roles, such as decomposing organic matter, forming symbiotic relationships with plants, and serving as a food source for animals and humans. 

Some mushrooms are edible and used in culinary dishes, while others can be toxic or hallucinogenic. 

The study of mushrooms is known as mycology, and these fungi are a diverse group with an extensive range of shapes, sizes, and ecological functions.

Why are Mushrooms Marxists?

Well, they're not.

I think you've noticed that mushrooms aren't exactly very conscious of themselves, let alone of the governing bodies that might potentially rule over them.

But we've come this far. Let's try anyway.

Networked Structures

The mycelium, an intricate network of fungal threads, establishes a symbiotic connection between different organisms. Likewise, Marxism highlights the interdependence of individuals within a society. The mycelial network can be interpreted as a symbol for the collective bonds envisioned in Marxist ideology, where individuals collaborate for the betterment of all.

Peekaboo! I see you!

Communal Living and Cooperation

Mushrooms often grow in clusters and depend on the surrounding environment for nutrients. Similarly, Marxism advocates for a society where resources are shared collectively, emphasizing cooperation over competition. The communal growth of mushrooms mirrors the collective ideals of Marxist theory.

Decomposition and Redistribution

Fungi, particularly decomposer fungi, play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter and redistributing nutrients in the ecosystem. Marxism, in its critique of capitalism, calls for the redistribution of wealth and resources for a more equitable society. Both fungi and Marxism involve processes of breaking down existing structures for a more balanced and sustainable outcome.

Most fungi are saprophytic, as in, they derive nutrition from dead and decaying organic matter

Adaptability and Evolution

Fungi are known for their adaptability to different environments and changing conditions. Marxism, as a socio-political theory, encourages adaptation and evolution of societal structures to address the needs of the people. Both fungi and Marxism highlight the importance of adaptability for survival and progress.

Natural Hierarchies

Mycelium operates without a clear hierarchy, with each part contributing to the well-being of the whole. Marxism challenges traditional hierarchical structures in society, advocating for a more egalitarian distribution of power and resources. The decentralized nature of mycelium can be seen as a metaphor for the decentralization advocated by Marxist ideals.

And there you go. Mushrooms are now Marxists. Nobody will ever dare doubt it again. Right? Right?

Examinations shall forever remain a tumultuous period in the life of most human beings, and while I might seem like a distant internet persona hiding behind a Tintin profile picture and occasional bouts of dark humour and societal critique, it would be of great interest to the reader to know that I do, in fact, also have exams - and I do, in fact, try to prepare for some of them. 

But I have a few posts in the drafts now, some of which I am fairly proud of. I can't wait to get them published, and finishing touches are on!

Thanks for sticking around, and your patience is much appreciated and envied!

Also - a little food (no mushroom was harmed in the making of this dish) for thought. Which organism would you choose to classify as capitalist?

-BracketRocket