Capitalist Realism: Is There No Alternative? is a book written in 2009 by the late writer, theorist, and philosopher Mark Fisher, aka K-punk. The book scrutinizes the capitalist mode of production through an examination of contemporary culture and explores the effects of ‘neoliberal ideology’ on one’s life. In the book, Fisher posits that ‘it is easier to imagine an end to the world than an end to capitalism.’ If that wasn’t already bleak enough, Fisher tragically died by suicide in 2017 at the age of 48. Since his untimely death, Capitalist Realism has steadily gained a cultish following among leftbook and doomer shitposting communities. 

Facebook groups such as Mark Fisher Memes for Hauntological Teens and Mark Fisher Depressive Ghostposting are just a couple examples of where black-pilled millennials and zoomers post about the ‘ubiquity of depression’ caused by, as Mark Fisher puts it, ‘the widespread sense that not only is capitalism the only viable political and economic system, but also that it is now impossible even to imagine a coherent alternative to it.’

If you’re ready to dive into the darkness, we’ve collected a bunch of memes and posts inspired by Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism. If you want to ruin your day, and possibly your life, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the book!