FALC: Escape the Grind

FALC

Fully Automated Luxury Communism (FALC), first posited by Aaron Bastani and drawing on ideas from seemingly opposing figures like Karl Marx and Peter Diamandis, envisions a post-capitalist society where automation and technology provide abundance and equality for all. Escape the Grind is an physically immersive game that depicts the transition from capitalism to FALC.

FALC as a political and economic theory describes a future society in which advanced technology is used to provide an abundance of goods and services for all, while also reducing or eliminating the need for human labor. In this future society, work would become more like play because individuals would be able to choose the work that they find most fulfilling and meaningful.

With the advent of advanced automation technology, the majority of middle management and white collar administrational work will be taken over by artificial intelligence while menial and repetitive blue collar work would be undertaken by robots, freeing up human beings to focus on work that is more intellectually stimulating, creative, and personally fulfilling. People will have the opportunity to engage in activities that they are passionate about, and develop their own skills and interests. Work in this future would resemble play and would no longer be a grind but instead a hop and a skip every day.

The Game “Escape the Grind”

In the physical game “Escape the Grind” a player must navigate a challenging obstacle course from right to left, that represents the drudgery of wage labor and the struggles of living in a capitalist society.

​

At the beginning of the track, the player would start off weighed down by various objects, representing the burdens of wage labor such as bills, debt, and a lack of free time. They would have to traverse obstacles such as climbing over piles of paperwork, dodging swinging hammers representing layoffs and job insecurity, and jumping over gaps representing economic inequality.

​

The players' friends and spectators (comrades) would be able to view and record the player's progress through the course using augmented reality on their own devices that overlays comical animations along the way, such as cartoon images of robots assisting the player or piles of money disappearing as they pass, paperwork obstacles and angry bosses. The animations illustrate the theme of Fully Automated Luxury Communism and the vision of a society that is free from the constraints of wage labor and capitalist oppression.

​

As the player progresses through the track, they would collect power-ups that symbolize technological advancements and automation, such as a jetpack or a robot helper, that would help them overcome obstacles more easily. As they near the end of the track, the player would be freed from their burdens and encounter sections of the track that represent a post-scarcity society, such as a garden or a library. At the end their comrades will have a recording of the entire course showing how well the player traversed the physical and AR obstacles.

How it works

The obstacle course will be situated on a sturdy 6-meter-wide stud wall and floor that provides a stable foundation for players to navigate through. Some physical obstacles will be affixed to the structure, while the majority of obstacles will be visible only through augmented reality, providing an immersive and challenging experience for players. This design will force players to rely on their comrades for guidance and assistance in overcoming the obstacles they cannot see, fostering teamwork and collaboration. A player will spend around 5 minutes traversing the course.

To install and operate the course, a 240v power supply will be required during both the installation and game duration. Two individuals will be responsible for overseeing gameplay, ensuring that everything runs smoothly and all players are safe. The installation and gameplay have been designed to be relatively low-risk, and much of the potential hazards are mitigated through the use of augmented reality. The installation itself would have a build time of 3 days.

However, to ensure the safety of all players and staff, a site-specific Risk Assessment and Management Plan will be created and made available upon request. This plan will contain detailed information on the specific risks associated with the installation site, as well as the measures in place to prevent and mitigate these risks. Additionally, any relevant details pertaining to the site will be provided upon request to ensure that all parties involved have a clear understanding of the environment in which the obstacle course will be situated.

Conclusion

The game "Escape the Grind" raises several questions about Fully Automated Luxury Communism (FALC) and its feasibility as a political and economic theory.

One question the game raises is whether FALC is a realistic vision for the future or just a utopian dream. While the game illustrates a society free from the constraints of wage labor and capitalist oppression, some may argue that the transition to such a society may not be possible or that there may be unintended consequences that arise from implementing FALC.

Another question is whether FALC is desirable or could it be a dystopian future. While the game depicts a society where work is enjoyable and fulfilling, others may argue that the removal of the need for human labor may lead to a loss of purpose or meaning for individuals who may struggle to find ways to contribute to society in meaningful ways. Additionally, some may question whether the abundance of goods and services that FALC promises is truly sustainable or whether it could lead to a situation where resources are overconsumed or mismanaged.

Finally, the game raises questions about how FALC could be implemented and what kinds of challenges would arise in the transition from a capitalist society to a post-capitalist one. The game's depiction of obstacles and power-ups symbolising technological advancements and automation suggests that technology will play a critical role in the transition to FALC. However, the game does not address the political, social, and economic changes that would need to occur to make FALC a reality.

Ultimately, whether FALC is a realistic or desirable future depends on one's perspective and beliefs about the role of technology and automation in society. While the game "Escape the Grind" offers a fun and engaging way to explore these questions, it is up to each player to draw their own conclusions about the viability and desirability of FALC as a political and economic theory.

Costs

​

​