The Murphy Monologues

Today, we’re talking about how Santa stole Christmas and ruined society. Merry Christmas.Chapters0:00 Intro2:07 What is Christmas?5:22 The Jolly Panopticon11:19 Useful Idiots20:40 Ayn Rand’s Wet Dream30:47 Rudolph the Rejected43:58 Holiday Hijacking52:33 Elves of the World...Max Murphy explores the absurdity of existence.Get more on The Murphy Memos: Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Yet another episode about pointless jobs from your favorite existential imbecile (Max Murphy).SourcesBullshit Jobs: a Theoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_JobsOn the Phenomenon of Bullsh*t Jobshttps://www.atlasofplaces.com/essays/on-the-phenomenon-of-b******t-jobs/Simon Walo’s paperhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170231175771“Alienation is Not Bullsh*t”https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170211015067Music- Perfect Vermin OST Human Resources Menu- ‘Machina’ by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. [www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/)- Thinking Theme [The Stanley Parable:Ultra Deluxe - Original Soundtrack]- ‘Beyond These Walls’ by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. [www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/)- ‘Chasing Daylight’ by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. [www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/)- ‘Ice Cream’ by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. [www.scottbuckley.com.au](http://www.scottbuckley.com.au/)- Red Rock Riviera(Day) 1 - Disco Elysium OSTTimestamps0:00 Intro1:51 What is a BS jobs?30:22 Managers are bad pplMax Murphy explores the absurdity of existence.Get more on The Murphy Memos: Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Why did a woman who escaped the Yanomami tribe choose to go back? The answer lies in our original sin—the agricultural revolution—and the Mammonian More that has doomed our civilization.Max Murphy explores the absurdity of existence with media analysis, film reviews, and literary tirades.Get more on The Murphy Memos:https://maxmurphy.xyz/ Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Did Eminem kill the American Dream or just expose it? This video essay unpacks how Marshall Mathers’ rise—from 8 Mile to Rap God—reveals the cost of chasing success in America. His story tells us more about ambition, fame, and disillusionment than any self-help book ever could. Be careful what you wish for because sometimes, you might just get it.This was edited by Pearl Kim!Hope you enjoy!—Max Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

In this episode of The Murphy Monologues, we dive into Mark Fisher’s concept of capitalist realism—the idea that capitalism has so thoroughly colonized our minds that we can no longer imagine alternatives. From the myth of the invisible hand to the soul-crushing logic of endless productivity, we explore how our economic system became a totalizing reality—and what it means to live, dream, and resist inside it. Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

A boot stamping on a selfie, forever. This episode unpacks how surveillance capitalism morphed into surveillance fascism—where your Fitbit data could be evidence, big tech is a branch of the military, and democracy is outsourced to Silicon Valley. Blending philosophy, dark humor, and actionable rebellion tips, we cover:* The 3 pillars of surveillance fascism: economic blackmail, state-corporate fusion, and algorithmic election rigging 💻🔗* Why the “digital enclosure movement” is the 21st-century version of medieval land grabs 🌾💀* How to resist: Ditch algorithms, lie to machines, and reclaim analog life 📵Citing Shoshana Zuboff, Thomas Piketty, and Yanis Varoufakis, this monologue is equal parts wake-up call and survival guide. Subscribe for weekly deep dives into philosophy, media, and laughing at the void.Get more on The Murphy Memos: Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

A bullsh*t job isn't just boring, but traumatic. In this video, we explore the psychological impact of bullsh*t jobs, and how they inflict moral injury on workers.SourcesBullshit Jobs: a Theoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_JobsOn the Phenomenon of Bullsh*t Jobshttps://www.atlasofplaces.com/essays/on-the-phenomenon-of-bullshit-jobs/Simon Walo's paperhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170231175771What’s that smell? Bullshit jobs in higher educationhttps://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00346764.2021.1940255"Alienation is Not Bullsh*t"https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170211015067Moral injury wikipedia pagehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_injuryToward an interdisciplinary conceptualization of moral injury: From unequivocal guilt and anger to moral conflict and disorientation by Tine MolendijkAchilles in Vietnam: Combat Trauma and the Undoing of Character by Jonathan ShayMoral Injury During the COVID-19 Pandemic https://www.psychiatry.org/file%20library/psychiatrists/apa-guidance-covid-19-moral-injury.PdfThe Max Murphy Podcast is a series of artfully crafted visual & audio essays by Max Murphy. Episodes cover an interesting range of topics drawing from philosophy, psychology, media, and more! Silly but serious, The Max Murphy Podcast offers an oasis of insightful storytelling in a chaotic media landscape.Get more on The Murphy Memos: Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Let's explore zombie language, the problem at the root of our dying culture, and the meaning crisis. Drawing from thinkers like Edward Deci, Mark Fisher, John Vervaeke, and Ernest Becker, we explore the psychology of commercialized culture, recuperation and precorporation of media, and how it impacts us as individuals. I believe this is resulting in profound spiritual damage, resulting in the meaning crisis as we lose our ability to create new hero myths and deny our deaths. If that sounds like word salad, then you should just watch the video lolThe Max Murphy Podcast features a unique blend of audio and visual essays by the existential imbecile, Max Murphy. Episodes explore topics like philosophy, psychology, and media. Silly but serious, each episode offers thoughtful and playful commentary that cuts through the mundane narratives of the modern media landscape.Get more on The Murphy Memos:Sources:Overview of the Overjustification effecthttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overjustification_effect Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Explore the truth behind one of history's most enduring economic myths: the barter system. Contrary to popular belief, modern research suggests that the barter economy, as traditionally described in textbooks, might not have been the precursor to money as we've been led to believe. This enlightening video dives deep into the origins of currency, trade, and economic systems, challenging the conventional narrative with compelling evidence and expert insights.Discover how societies really transitioned from simple trading systems to the complex economies we see today. We'll explore anthropological findings, historical records, and economic theories to unveil a story far more intriguing than the simple barter-to-money evolution. Learn about the roles of credit, debt, and social constructs in the development of early economic systems and how this understanding reshapes our view of history and economics.Watch the video essay on YouTube:The Max Murphy Podcast is a series of artfully crafted visual & audio essays by Max Murphy. Episodes cover an interesting range of topics drawing from philosophy, psychology, and culture. Captivating and thoughtfully edited, The Max Murphy Podcast offers an oasis of insightful storytelling in a chaotic media landscape.Max Murphy is a failed creative turned existential imbecile.Get more on The Murphy Memos:SourcesDebt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeberhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debt:_The_First_5000_YearsBarter and Economic Disintegration by Caroline Humphrey https://www.jstor.org/stable/2802221Reciprocal Exchange: A Self-Sustaining Systemhttps://www.jstor.org/stable/2118307Money and the Morality of Exchangehttps://www.cambridge.org/core/books/money-and-the-morality-of-exchange/AED72FC0C56313E5D1E8B47FF008ABA3Relational Economies of Reciprocal Giftinghttps://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/716726 Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Our reality might not be as real as we think. Drawing from the works of eminent sociologists and philosophers like Max Weber, Karl Marx, Guy Debord, and Jean Baudrillard, we explore how technological advances and societal changes have blurred the lines between reality and simulation. Whether you're a fan of 'The Matrix' or pondering existential questions, this video will force you to confront the very nature of your existence.The Max Murphy Podcast is a series of artfully crafted visual & audio essays by Max Murphy. Episodes cover an interesting range of topics drawing from philosophy, psychology, and culture. Captivating and thoughtfully edited, The Max Murphy Podcast offers an oasis of insightful storytelling in a chaotic media landscape.Max Murphy is a failed creative turned existential imbecile. Get more on The Murphy Memos:Chapters0:00 -1:01 Intro1:01 - 2:09 The iron cage2:09 - 2:53 Commodity fetishism2:53 - 5:10 Society of the spectacle5:10 - 6:32 Hyperreality6:32 - 8:03 Final thoughts Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Dive into the foundational concepts of Karl Marx's revolutionary philosophy in this comprehensive video essay. From the communal harmony of primitive communism to the profound disconnection of alienation, and the mysterious allure of commodity fetishism, we unpack the core concepts that have shaped socio-economic discussions for generations. Whether you're new to Marx or need a refresher, this guide offers a concise introduction to his seminal works and enduring legacies. The Max Murphy Podcast is a series of artfully crafted visual & audio essays by Max Murphy. Episodes cover an interesting range of topics drawing from philosophy, psychology, and culture. Captivating and thoughtfully edited, The Max Murphy Podcast offers an oasis of insightful storytelling in a chaotic media landscape.Max Murphy is a failed creative turned existential imbecile. Get more on The Murphy Memos:Chapters0:00 - 1:05 Intro1:05 - 3:52 Dialectical materialism3:52 - 5:20 Origin of civilization5:20 - 7:30 Primitive communism7:30 - 9:30 Class conflict9:30 - 10:55 Invention of government10:55 - 12:27 Religion the weapon12:27 - 14:30 Alienation14:30 - 15:20 Social murder15:20 - 16:35 Commodity fetishism16:35 - 18:20 Infinite growth18:20 - 20:44 The inevitable revolution Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

David Graeber's groundbreaking bullshit jobs theory has transformed from a provocative concept to a recognized reality in the modern workforce, now backed by research. This video essay dives into how the theory has become increasingly relevant, shedding light on the plight of essential workers during lockdowns, sparking the phenomenon known as The Great Resignation, and illuminating the trend of over-employment.Watch this episode on YouTube:Sign up to The Murphy Memos:SourcesBullshit Jobs: a Theoryhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullshit_JobsOn the Phenomenon of Bullsh*t Jobshttps://www.atlasofplaces.com/essays/on-the-phenomenon-of-bullshit-jobs/Simon Walo's paperhttps://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170231175771"Alienation is Not Bullsh*t"https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/09500170211015067Over-employment subreddithttps://www.reddit.com/r/overemployed/Essential workers studyhttps://www.business.org/finance/accounting/average-salary-of-essential-workers/Criticism of the rise of over-employmenthttps://www.the-journal.com/articles/2-full-time-jobs-a-remote-work-myth/Nearly half of remote workers are over-employedhttps://fortune.com/2023/02/13/overemployed-workers-juggling-full-time-jobs/ Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe

Explore the profound impact of money on our perception of reality in this thought-provoking audio essay. “How Money Changes Reality” explores the historical and sociological aspects of cultural hegemony, cultural capital, propaganda and more, revealing how economic forces shape our worldviews and control societal narratives.Hi, I’m Max Murphy! A failed creative turned existential imbecile. These days, I write The Murphy Memos where we explore the absurdity of existence with crappy jokes.Consider subscribing if you’re into that kinda thing.. or don’t.🔍 Key Highlights:-The Medieval Monopoly: Learn how the medieval aristocracy used Latin to dominate religious and societal discourse, impacting lives for centuries.-Unraveling Cultural Hegemony: Dive deep into the concept of cultural hegemony, understanding how societal norms and beliefs are shaped and maintained by dominant cultural forces, subtly influencing collective consciousness and perpetuating power structures.-Cultural Capital and Social Influence: Explore how cultural capital shapes social status and personal influence in society.-Walter Lippmann's 'The Phantom Public': Delve into Lippmann's insights on public opinion and the illusion of a homogeneous public.-Edward Bernays' 'Propaganda': Understand how Bernays' principles of public relations have shaped modern advertising and political campaigns.-Decoding Manufacturing Consent: Explore the intricate workings of media control as detailed in Noam Chomsky's "Manufacturing Consent," uncovering how media shapes public opinion and serves the interests of elite powers, subtly orchestrating consent among the masses.Chapters:0:00 - 1:40 Intro1:40 - 5:09 Latin Gatekeepers5:09 - 10:01 Cultural Hegemony10:01 - 15:51 Propaganda in Practice15:51 - 21:29 Cultural Capital21:29 - 28:35 Manufacturing Consent28:35 - 31:15 Final Thoughts Get full access to The Murphy Memos at maxmurphy.xyz/subscribe