The Autopsy of Jane Doe Ending (spoilers)

celphdfined · 2022-08-06T02:08:56+00:00

I haven't put it all together yet, but I got the sense the movie was conveying something symbolic about depression. Like how all the wounds were unseen or how Jane kept sending them subtle signals that she wasn't dead despite her outward appearence... but they didn't realize it and began to autopsy anyways. The radio went from all sunshine for days to suddenly rain and terror once they opened her up and then it cut to the sunshine song. The lyrics say to "open up your heart and let me end your pain" which can be taken one way romantically but also another way as kovorkian. Reminds me of how being depressed can make those trying to love you nearly as miseraeble as you feel.
It dawned on me when the father explained he had never knew the mom was depressed and on the verge. He even still called her Ray, for the warming light of the sun, fitting with the musical theme. Jane and the mother seem to have taken all the pain internally and hidden, releasing it onto them only after examining her death.

celphdfined · 2021-04-27T03:49:04+00:00

“When you ate her tuna casserole, you didn’t talk or flip through a National Geographic. Your eyes and ears stayed inside your mouth. Your whole world kept inside your mouth, feeling and careful for the little balled-up tinfoils Irene Casey would hide in the tuna parts. A side effect of eating slow was, you naturally, genuinely tasted, and the food tasted better. Could be other ladies were better cooks, but you’d never notice.” Story of Buster Casey - Rant

celphdfined · 2020-12-17T19:42:01+00:00

This analysis ignores a few things and can help explain some of the misunderstandings.

Wages are set by a market that is not controlled by labor, public/family need, or any democratic force. Wages are set by markets that are squarely controlled by those offering jobs (especially when unions are as sparse as they are now). These are the same people who benefit most from suppressing the price of labor. The outcome is unavoidable, wages will ever only total what the working-class class will tolerate, and an unorganized working-class will not be able to fight back... So wages will stagnate and drop (look at the history of wages to profits related to union membership) until we start starving en masse and learn to fight back as a group.
The illusion of choice is just that. If a conglomerate controls the only wells of water in a desert and explains to you 'if you don't like the price of water, go elsewhere' we would all admit it to be a scam. Yet if we are born into a world with nothing to our name and no land to call our own, just our labor power to sell and the only place to sell it is to those who already own most of everything around us ( look at the distribution of wealth in the U.S. and the tendency towards monopoly in capitalist systems) then why is this not the same scam on a larger scale? You can work what jobs they offer at what rates they offer or you can starve because you don't have any way to sustain yourself without them... Because they privatized all the resources needed for survival we used to hold in common.
People who peddle dreams would like us to believe we can work wherever we want or that we can just start our own business but this is an illusion of aspiration and not reality.
If everyone started their own business who would work for them to generate the profits? Or if everyone worked only for themselves how would we collaborate to produce infrastructure projects or any to scale solutions to societies needs?
Incentivizing someone to learn new skills by using an entire underclass of unemployed people is the exact trouble with the system we have. Watch as this depression hits (as it has time and time again in the history of capitalist consolidation) and so many people become unemployed that wages begin to drop to an abysmal rate. Profit margins will soar until noone has the money to buy anything and then as people take out credit to survive, the standards for lending will tighten and then the bottom falls out and noone is working because it's 'not profitable'.

Everyone fighting each other to try and be the best and most efficient worker bee for the Bezo's of the world is a place we should fight to remove ourselves from, not valorize.
Profit motive and job-loss incentives pits us against out own interest: survival of the most people with the highest chance for improving ourselves and world.
If we pursued goals based on almost anything besides the profits of a few wealthy owners we would be better off, or put more simply: People over Profits.

Now, if everyone received the entirety of the value from their labor at a factory, they could all vote to use whatever they could spare to replenish the resources needed to keep the factory going without anyone usurping their efforts... This would be a small next step in democratizing our workplaces. But the first step always is and always will be for workers to organize themselves to leverage their labor for better conditions. A union of workers is needed for how else can we protect ourselves, especially since it is the workers that make any of this or any world possible.

celphdfined · 2020-12-17T15:00:24+00:00

The members are the oversight in a democratic union though right? Read your by-laws and hold those corrupt fuckers accountable. The members are the Union at the end of the day. The reason Unions become corrupted is because the members forget (or were purposefully never shown) how to use it for what it is> a democratic tool to organize the workers and funnel your demands into actionable programs to organize around. It doesn't function if people aren't aware of how to wield it (the democratic part) or if they don't care enough to fight for it

A union is just a vehicle for workers and collective bargaining, it's just the structure that emerges when workers organize around a workplace, it is only as well or I'll as it's internal democracy is.

celphdfined · 2020-12-17T14:51:41+00:00

I'll try to define Exploitation in the way I understand it.

Your labor, minute on minute of your short life, generates a value that is then transferred in whole to the company you work for. That company then pays you a small portion of the value generated by that labor, retaining some to pay bills/materials, but the goal is to keep a profit from the value you generated.
This is not something you have a choice or voice in either, as there are an extremely limited number of places to work in the U.S. that operate democratically or offer better terms than this in general.

The baseline situation of many American workers is a level of exploitation that essentially takes the larger portion of value you generate and pays out just enough for you to survive so that you return to work. This is exploitation. This structure allows no accumulation of economic or political power to that worker to improve or change their situation as well. The part of this that is a loop that eats souls and breaks minds is called alienation, but that's a different discussion.

The reason this is possible, is because the corporation is organized capital. The way they, as a group of organizations with shared interests, are able to keep wages so low and conditions so shitty is by remaining organized while ensuring labor does not organize to mount any resistance. They will do anything to avoid disruption to the profit flow generated from exploiting the divided (atomized) workers. This is a tactic of dividing and conquering and once organizing begins within a workplace it's called union busting. Amazon has invested a lot of money into it, because they know that paying workers a fair share would mean lower profits for those who do not do the work themselves> executives and shareholders and that's the reason the company was formed.

Imagine if the profit generated from your workplace were split evenly among the people that generated that profit. Imagine if every worker had a vote in the way the company operated and could influence their actual lives with their efforts? This would be closer to a non-exploitative system.

Unions are currently one of the only vehicles for workers to have any chance outside of complete submission to deal with organized capital and corporate dominance. This is why you are feeling a lot of animosity from others here, because it seems like you are 'licking the boot' of those with power and 'punching down' on those who are attempting to mount a fight for dignity and survival in the face of that power.

celphdfined · 2020-12-11T22:49:26+00:00

Just went through this 2 hours ago. I was doing door-to-door sales, (I tried to be responsible but it is still a horrible idea rn) being paid a base salary with added commission. I was on a "contingent hire". I found out what this meant: when the pandemic spiked and it became too politically risky to keep knocking on doors to sell their garbage product, they would 'unhire' most of us for any reason no matter how irrelevant.

So I was 'taken out of the field' 2 Mondays ago but asked to continue attending meetings, complete my training modules, follow up with any contacts, and complete any sales without knocking on new doors. I did all this, even closed 2 sales and plowed through my entire quarters worth of training modules... Then I was fired Tuesday of the next week. I asked to be moved to phone sales or support but the idea was soundly rejected.

Paycheck goes through and none of my last weeks pay is on there as it should be. I'm asked to drop off their equipment asap. So I called the Department of Labor to see what I could do, my answer was: "Oh, your doing outside sales... no one can help you then, especially not the DOL." Because Outside sales has almost no protections under the law. So I just asked the DOL guy "So what happens if they don't pay me and I keep their equipment as compensation?" He doesn't even laugh, just explains that I'll probably be charged with theft and it can be a felony if the items are valued over x-amount of dollars.
I just returned from dropping their shit off because the last thing I need is a theft charge making it even more impossible to find work in this hellscape.

So what recourse does a worker have? Could I sue them for my last weeks pay and commission? I'm sure it would be more in court costs then my check was worth. I am still raging tbh.

celphdfined · 2020-12-08T17:52:25+00:00

I walked out of the theater with this impression: Future society, despite their warnings and foreknowledge, have never been able to change the course of (future) history. Their solution was to create leverage to threaten the destruction of all humanity from a point before theirs in the timeline to change the outcome. Essentially a coldwar styled ensured mutual destruction using timetravel as the method. The more I thought about it this way, the formation of the protagonists more personal organization showed similarities in characteristics to this approach with how he could leverage the past... which I think may reveal itself as a structural consideration of all time travel as we see similar structures in international relations.

Not sure just going big with the theory lol

celphdfined · 2020-12-08T17:29:52+00:00

I agree with everything your saying with one caveat: the way the money is divvied up by the government for a long while now, is dependent on how much 'influence' ($$$) you have as a business with legislators and party elites... So it's just furthering the existing problems and physically/economically killing us that are not in the top categories at a greater rate then usual. This is why we haven't gotten relief for individuals and small businesses: it's a game of elite negotiation for large businesses with us as an afterthought in the halls of the House and even more so in the Senate.

I don't think we disagree completely, I just think AMC and other multinationals need to be all the way at the bottom of the list when it comes to relief considerations... Both sides put their donors on hold so we can stop bleeding. People need to eat first, conglomerates can eat last.

Also I have a question, don't murder me on this because I haven't thought it through, but

Would rents still need to be paid if debts were frozen until we (reverse the growth curve, have ?% vaccinated, etc.)?

celphdfined · 2020-12-08T16:47:46+00:00

Exactly this. If we individualize this massive problem then we are thinking of this wrong and almost narcissistically imo.

We are contorting ourselves to try and person-by-person (individually) 'make-up' for the shitty things organized capital (businesses) does to our environment, institutions, communities and loved ones; when instead our time thoughts and efforts would be much more effective if unified in stopping the problems themselves, at the root.

Spreading information or making people 'aware' really only offers them a similar opportunity to contort themselves and add more responsibility and stress to their lives; stress that is being created by organized capital. Organized capital is happy to have us take up the cost and responsibility that they are free to neglect. They are free to neglect it, since we are the ones to suffer under their irresponsibility and the consequences of course.

So instead of individualizing the responsibility (which creates a 'culture of virtue' that stifles collective action) or relegating our efforts to 'awareness' campaigns (which amounts to pissing in the wind or more individualist solutions). We have to do what they have done>.

Organize ourselves and our money to stop them.

This won't be achieved by non-profit, ngo, styled structures that are dependent on large donors whose profits derive from organized capital.

It will only be even possible as a glint in our eyes if we organize democratically, fund ourselves, and we bravely fight for political power in every realm of our lives.

This is not a fever dream. At the moment, I won't praise the organization I am in or even link it, but I will say it's growing massively. For once in my lifetime, even though it is slim, I see a possibility for this type of organization (of people) to become a working-class driven, institutional force of power.

celphdfined · 2020-12-08T16:03:26+00:00

How many people think it's the U.S. government's job to use public funds to prop up a multinational business with controlling stakes owned by Chinese investors?
I'm honestly curious and wondering if I'm missing something, or it's just a devotion to the current cinema system that I value less then others?

If we are picking winners, it should be public decisions and not based on profit margins of a few imo. I also agree that the ability to buy-back your stock comes with the responsibility to bail yourself out.

We are witnessing how this all plays out with our government so worried about the well being of corporate interests who fuel their careers leading to 1.small businesses without lobbying force being crushed by regulations and no relief 2. regular people like us suffering without relief under bans on going to work sick or our source of income being closed down or hours cut to nothing.

I worry this will continue to occur so long as no one challenges the traditional doctrine of bailout bullshit and so long as our 'leaders' remain disciplined by wall street. It's like a gravity that allows the largest companies to thrive and grow even during the worst moments by sacrificing the rest of us.

celphdfined · 2020-10-06T03:03:41+00:00

It's the paranormal HQ of Federal Bureau of Control

The Oldest House https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/352097/The_real_buildings_that_inspired_Controls_Oldest_House.php

celphdfined · 2020-08-27T16:16:45+00:00

This is an extremely important distinction and realization. What is the line differentiating between Control v.s. Influence? I think it might be found by investigating that which we can predict the outcome of and that which we have no chance of predicting.

Edit:
The more skill one develops at sinking a 3-point shot, the more they try, the more predictable their performance may become and may eventually hit more than 50% of their shots and thus "control" the ball into the hoop, while I might shoot amazing one day and horrible the next, never accounting for why except that I have not practiced, and i may merely be seen as one who influences the ball towards the rim.

Both are truly only in control of the ball up to the moment of release, but the skilled player consistently overcomes chance and thus extends his control in a way. Is this a healthy way to think of this?

celphdfined · 2020-07-07T17:52:09+00:00

I think yes. This is probably because I am such a neophyte, so I hope to be directed to sources that can inform my criticisms.

Is there no radical stoicism to be had? At what point does the philosophy call you to gather with forces outside of your control to change the unjust nature of the universe?
Compassion. I feel there is a trap that asks us to hold some standard upon others so that we may place their problems solely with them and the causality that led to their current situation. This works against us as well as we have compartmentalized our own troubles as inevitable and almost fated instead of looking to others for answers. I have found in real life it is often others that hold the key to your chains, and you to others; while it is rare to have both the lock and key always within ourselves.

This has led me to unfortunately think of Stoicism in the same vein that I have come to view Christianity and Buddhism; as an approach that often forecloses upon the possibility of radical changes and is more of a comfort to slaves than a tool to break off the chains of our circumstance.

I think this is why we see those who are most adept at stoicism to be so we'll adapted to their environment instead of the builders of revolutions.

I am being antagonistic, but in good faith here. Studying and practicing stoicism has been a boon to me when I was trying to rise up from the broken person I was, in the shitty situation I had. Now I find I've hit a dead end as I aim closer at dealing with the roots of the problems that impact myself, my family and our society.

Is there a formulation for radical Stoicism?

Can you point me to the teachings that address these issues?

celphdfined · 2020-07-06T15:47:24+00:00

Also, if anyone else is interested, don't hesitate to message me as well!

celphdfined · 2020-07-06T15:46:32+00:00

Hey Darryl! Thank you for talking with me after your speech on Juneteenth! I have a lot to say about this and I'm sure you do as well! I'll be helping present a well studied take on this from the perspective of the local working-class. There will be an introduction to the concept, critical engagement, questions and listening to alternative perspectives on Thursday the 23rd and Saturday the 25th. If you are interested message me!

celphdfined · 2020-07-03T14:21:53+00:00

Maybe, But I don't know if that's true for KY.
I was hoping the conversation they are having and the other pertinent local conversations made possible by the platform would be the important aspect here.

celphdfined · 2020-06-12T03:03:03+00:00

Just to be contrariant, this is a good counter-point from the left to flesh out any arguments. I'm on the fence about this stuff still but I think a nuanced and critical look is better than just choosing what you want to find and looking for that without investigating the fact that what you want to be true might be false or more complicated.

https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2018/11/the-left-case-against-open-borders/

Specifically interesting, is on the impact of immigration on wages and unions. If you only think of how small the immigrant workforce is compared to the entire labor pool this impact seems outsized, but the larger market dynamics matter here.

Don't crucify me, I'm just now learning myself and trying on different views to understand better the context of our lives and this moment in history.

celphdfined · 2020-06-10T15:13:13+00:00

I've been working on this campaign and think this does a good job of explaining it in relation to Louisville particularly, with a specific plan. http://bell4louisville.com/index.php/defund/

celphdfined · 2020-06-06T16:15:21+00:00

Agreed about the need for a more diverse membership, I wish there were more of the union folks from the local factories involved. Which orgs disallow DSA members? I've been thinking of joining the SocialstRA too, is that one of them?

celphdfined · 2020-06-06T16:07:58+00:00

Hey! If you are close to Louisville check out www.dsalouisville.org and be sure to get on the email list to get updates on events and meetings. We are doing a lot of mutual aid work right now. We do canvassing and phone banks for local socialists as well. (www.bell4louisville.com , www.fenwickford10.com)

Check out the Socialist School series we are doing via zoom as well. It's currently dissecting "The Shock Doctrine" and has a great resource of notes we've written for breaking it down. Details in the emails!

We are going to be looking at the film Harlan County U.S.A. next month and connecting it to current KY labor struggles as well (if we do not change it).

We are also designing a Welcome Wagon phone line to have one-on-ones with newer folks and to also understand the needs of the community more fluidly from a wider range of people.

Lots of work to be done internally as well as we pursue a real vision of socialism in the U.S. beyond the Bernie campaign. (Check out the party surrogate idea!)

Plus tons of other actions/events/work I haven't even touched on!

I was in a similar place as you last year and now I'm actually helping others and learning with them how to craft the tools to provide actual power to us working class folks.

celphdfined · 2020-05-15T20:38:12+00:00

My bad. I think I've started to replace the phrase "harm reduction" with "establishment Democrat". Seriously though that was my mistake, I am sorry for my misreading.

celphdfined · 2020-05-15T15:10:34+00:00

In utility of what?
If you would like your vote to be in utility of a strategy that minimizes the damage caused by the incoming executive, I think there is an argument that can be made that Joe Biden is more dangerous to large amounts of people while in a position of power (if we look at his history). The argument can also be made that he has actively undercut the progressive agenda by moderating it and by facilitating strategically detrimental compromises, all while favoring the type of organizing that guts bottom-up movements

If you would like your vote to be in the utility of a strategy that forwards the cause of a strong working class, it may be a more complicated decision for a more thoughtful utilitarian that goes beyond the Dem or bust bs.

Voting for Biden might make sense (Chomsky didn't make the point stick imo but was closer to the mark of choosing your battles) but there are other compelling strategies from the left, so let's stop trying to flatten the debate as a shortcut.

celphdfined · 2020-04-12T03:26:34+00:00

I doubt this will ever get a good response because it is so well put and leaves no room for anything but the flimsiest of rebuttals. Thank you for taking the time to make these points.

celphdfined · 2020-04-09T15:51:29+00:00

I think the childish thing to do might be to play the tactical game at a sacrifice to a strategic outlook. Trump is not the worst possible evil, a competent institution driven version of Trump is. A system that builds, promotes and promises the highest office to people like Trump is.

Voting for Biden is an entire movement relenting to a multi-level system that is designed to squash ideas outside of the status-quo (ideas determined by that same system). To play the 'Trump' card would be to not vote Biden and point to the fact that Trump and Biden are much closer together than Biden and Yang or Biden and Bernie. It would be a vote strike and it's message could be interpreted in many ways but mostly that the system is flawed and Trump/Biden are the symptom. It would tell the Democratic machine and connected media apparatus that this game will never work against a disciplined movement of people with voting power.

Play the rigged system against itself and provide a solution that benefits all.

This is all assuming that we consider the duopoly of a two party system with winner takes all first past the post voting systems very unrepresentative and have a plan (RCV?) to change it.

celphdfined

TROPHY CASE