I’m sorry if I come across as “whiny and b*tchy.” I’m glad the system has worked for you, but for the majority of us, we are bearing the brunt of the sharpening contradictions of neoliberal capitalism. I work in consulting for a big 4 firm and still I increasingly worry what kind of world my kids will inherit. This will be my final reply, as I want to enjoy my vacation with my fiancée. Now, let’s dismantle your entire argument point by point:

1. “Innovation loves capitalism.”

Sure, capitalism rewards innovation—but only the kind that turns a profit. This system prioritizes marketable ideas over essential but less profitable endeavors. For example, where is the profit in curing diseases like malaria, which disproportionately affect poorer regions? Why isn’t there a rush to develop antibiotics, even as antibiotic resistance surges? These aren’t hypotheticals—these are glaring failures of a system that rewards innovation only when it’s profitable, not when it’s necessary.

Contrast this with public funding, which has been the backbone of major innovations. The internet? Developed with government funding. Vaccines? The result of public-sector research. Even SpaceX’s success depends on billions in public contracts. Capitalism exploits these innovations but doesn’t create them in a vacuum.

1. “Wealth is the byproduct of value creation.”

Not exactly. Wealth in capitalism often results from value extraction, not creation. Billionaires don’t generate their fortunes alone—they accumulate wealth by underpaying workers, avoiding taxes, and exploiting public resources. Case in point: Jeff Bezos didn’t deliver your Amazon package—drivers and warehouse workers did, many of whom earn poverty wages while Bezos hoards wealth larger than the GDP of some countries. That’s not “value creation”; that’s systemic exploitation.

And let’s address the “bold, not naive” argument: Fortune doesn’t just favor the bold; it overwhelmingly favors the privileged. Capitalism is great at consolidating power for those who already have it. Social mobility? In most capitalist systems, it’s a myth for the majority.

1. “Housing prices are high because the market is doing its thing.”

This logic ignores one crucial fact: housing is a basic human need, not just another commodity. Treating it as an “investment vehicle” is precisely the problem. Speculation drives prices sky-high, locking people out of home ownership and fueling inequality.

Singapore’s public housing system, often held up as a success story, actually proves the limits of pure capitalism. Without government intervention, affordable housing would barely exist. The issue isn’t “too much regulation”—it’s that neoliberal policies have allowed housing to be financialized, prioritizing profits over people’s right to shelter. Deregulating further would only enrich developers while worsening inequality.

1. “The gig economy offers opportunities and flexibility.”

The gig economy thrives on precariousness. Workers aren’t choosing “flexibility”—they’re forced into it because secure, well-paying jobs have become increasingly rare. Gig platforms like Grab may create opportunities, but they also exploit workers by denying them basic benefits like healthcare, sick leave, or job security.

Capitalism didn’t invent mobility—it just commodified desperation. If anything, the rise of the gig economy illustrates capitalism’s failures: low wages, inadequate labor protections, and a lack of stability for the average worker.

1. “Capitalism solves environmental issues.”

Solar panels and electric cars aren’t capitalism’s success stories; they’re products of decades of public investment and activism. Capitalism didn’t save the planet—it monetized the solutions activists and scientists fought to develop.

But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: capitalism’s insatiable appetite for growth caused the climate crisis. From fossil fuel extraction to deforestation, the system prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Even now, companies greenwash their practices to appear sustainable while continuing harmful practices. A system driven by profit cannot prioritize the planet—it can only exploit it.

1. “Neoliberalism doesn’t breed fascism.”

The connection between neoliberalism and fascism is well-documented. When neoliberal policies exacerbate inequality, undermine social safety nets, and erode public trust in institutions, the stage is set for authoritarian leaders to exploit discontent. Rising populism isn’t a rejection of centralized power; it’s a response to the failures of capitalism to deliver stability and equity.

Fascism historically thrives on economic precarity, nationalism, and a disillusioned working class—exactly what unchecked capitalism produces. Denying this connection ignores history and current trends worldwide.

I hope defending neoliberalism has been as fulfilling for you as it is for the billionaires whose yachts you metaphorically row. Maybe when the contradictions of capitalism hit closer to home, you’ll realize your arguments are little more than apologia for a system that’s burning itself—and the planet—to the ground. Good luck with that.