An autopsy of a Modern Corporation
Let your head rest before carrying it!
Photo by Allef Vinicius On Unsplash
The tumultuous, absurd, and Nietzschean crusade
The current corporate system represents a stark contrast to the social structures that were organically evolved in the past, where rigid hierarchies, centralised decision-making and an unrelenting pursuit of profit were paramount. The legal structure grants individuals more rights and powers than ordinary humans, thereby impacting economies, labor markets, and cultural practices
The article examines the corporate system’s liminal nature, which is countering the Nietzschean impulse to achieve self-actualization
The Hierarchical Power and Iron Cage::
The downward flow of corporate power is governed by rigid hierarchies, while accountability follows the opposite path. The corporation’s power is not solely determined by control, but rather by its bureaucratic and shareholder-related responsibilities. The organization’s primary objective is to maintain its independence, which is why any attempts to challenge the established hierarchies face systemic resistance
The Worker’s Paradox: Rights vs. Freedom. Exploitation:
The power structure is based on contracts that guarantee the low-level workers with basic rights, such as minimum wage, regulated working hours, and protection from discrimination. The challenge for corporations is to maximize productivity without infringing on these laws
The “hustle doctrine” posits that excessive work is the same as ambition and fatigue as dedication. The fear of job insecurity and stagnation leads companies to create an environment where employees push themselves to the limit. The use of promotions and peer pressure leads to self-exploitation, rendering legal protections ineffective
The Illusion of Freedom and the Fascist Mechanism::
Those who resist conformity in the workplace quickly come to the realization that they are powerless. Their collective bargaining power is weakened by factors like the gig economy, which make them easily replaceable. They are often convinced that leaving is a personal failure rather than underlying an issue due to psychological manipulation
Corporations exercise control through psychological, social, and economic mechanisms rather than using physical force. The combination of corporate culture, career growth, and personal brand development creates an illusion of freedom that encourages compliance without coercion. Self-regulation is promoted among employees, which prevents any potential disruptions to the system
According to Nietzsche’s Vision and Corporate Liminality::
Nietzsche’s theory of human evolution consists of three stages: the burdensome Camel, the rebellious Lion, and finally, “the Child.”. Corporate structures systematically hinder this development. The Camel phase is frequently encountered by workers who are weighed down by artificial tasks. Any objections they raise are swiftly transformed into “positive feedback” disseminating the Lion’s revolt. The Child’s inherent creativity is suppressed, and its value is only acknowledged when it satisfies corporate objectives
Corporations promote a sense of unchanging thinness, which results in employees being stuck in an endless loop of transition that lacks real change. Despite the presence of promotions, skill development initiatives, and future opportunities, people are still kept within a controlled environment while progressing towards success. The notion of the liberated Nietzschean Übermensch, who establishes novel values, is overshadowed by the corporate worker, conditioned to seek meaning only within the organization
The Inexplicable Growth and the Origin of the Corporate Monster::
The corporate structure at its zenith goes beyond human authority, becoming a self-sustaining entity that irrefutably disregards fundamental principles of work and survival. Eventually, it transforms into a power that consumes meaning, automates work, and breaks the rules of cause and effect. Companies cling to the illusion of limitless growth, effectively cutting off the connection between effort and necessity, unlike biological organisms. The vital link between work and survival is effectively bypassed by market speculation and automation, which generate wealth without labor. Despite lacking any real value, this system requires ongoing engagement
Is Corporate Singularity AS elf-Perpetuating Absurdity?:
The modern corporate system is now a grotesque, living corpse of past human labor, consisting of old structures, bureaucratic remnants, and automated processes. Those that are dead have become zombie corporations, sustained by bailouts, financial maneuvers or simply sheer market inertia, unenthusiastic about any real productive function. The workers have abandoned their desire to live and instead engage in meaningful work, trapped in a meaningless cycle of labor that only serves to propagate corporate profits. Colonizing leisure time, monetizing work-life balance, transitioning hobbies into side businesses, and redefined personal growth as “upskilling” are all factors in the colonization process. ”
In its final stage, the corporate system transcends its human origins. It no longer operates for work, wealth, or survival; it exists simply for the sake of existence, feeding on itself and consuming human time, energy, and purpose in an endless, recursive loop. It is no longer a tool or a workplace but an abstract machine — an absurd monstrosity, blind yet unstoppable, vast yet empty, devouring everything yet forever hungry