Capitalist Realism by Mark Fisher explores the pervasive belief that capitalism is the only viable economic and social system, encapsulated in the phrase "there is no alternative." Fisher argues that this mindset limits our ability to imagine different futures, fostering feelings of cynicism, alienation, and mental distress. Through an analysis of popular culture, politics, and education, he illustrates how capitalist realism shapes our perceptions of work, success, and even mental health, presenting obstacles to genuine change. The book is both a critique of late capitalism's influence on our minds and a call to rekindle the imagination needed to envision alternatives.
