Stick it to the Man
- Ben Pechey
- May 23
- 2 min read

I’ve been thinking about capitalism lately, and the way it really messes with the morality of humans.
Capitalism urges us to prioritise profit over any other system. It urges us to profit from our relationships. It wants us to think about ourselves and only ourselves. It promotes gatekeepers. It puts up paywalls. It wants to limit access at every turn possible.
What a moribund approach to living this one and only life.


There is no ethical consumption under capitalism, we know this to be true, but it doesn’t mean we have to toe the line and maintain the capitalistic status quo.
One of the most anti-capitalistic stances I like to employ is the idea that I help as many people as I can, and I expect nothing back from them in return. I charge corporations for my work, I work with organisations that help me amplify my messages, and I am not exempt from capitalism. But the individuals that my work is for do not owe me anything.

I wrote my books for LGBTQIA+ people, to learn from and use as you wish, borrow them from a friend or a library, and get what you want from them for free!
I share content and education online for free, I don’t need anything back, likes, comments and shares are lovely, but not necessary as long as someone has learned something.
I volunteer my time when I can for charities, I don’t expect anything back.


In my small ways, I like to think I am making a difference. In the grand scheme of things it probably doesn’t affect capitalism all that much, but if we all did the same, I think we might just tip the needle in our own favour.
So perhaps you can find ways to stick it to the man and circumnavigate capitalism in small ways, and together we can create a better world in our own way…

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