There's not a lot for me to write about this longread. It is a fascinating article about the history of Monopoly (the board game) and its relationship to the anti-capitalist movement in the United States. It is a remarkable story that basically serves as its own case-in-point.
"Monopoly is Theft" by Christopher Ketcham
Published in Harper's, October 19, 2012
http://harpers.org/blog/2012/10/monopoly-is-theft/?single=1&src=longreads
Eric
It is fascinating to think that so many anti-capitalist groups/individuals promoted the game in ways they didn't realize.
ReplyDeleteStarting with the original concept (and players finding it boring began to change the rules and board), Nearing and many Quakers introducing it in hopes that it would teach people to be anti-capitalist actually brought it into the college and Quaker communities in a way that spread the game. As it spread, the rules changed to make it more 'fun' to play.
Good example of how an idea can change so radically once it is let out into the world.