Відео

Thanks so much for the feedback! You're absolutely right-I should have spent more time breaking down the concept on its own and giving relatable examples to make it easier to connect with. I'll also work on pacing and adding pauses for reflection without dragging things out too much. I get that focusing heavily on Trump can be off-putting, and I appreciate the reminder to diversify examples. I just leaned into that because it was trending at the time, but I'll keep your advice in mind for future videos. Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!

Great point! The SCP Foundation is like the Men in Black but with a focus on studying the anomalies, not just hiding them. It adds a deeper, often darker layer of ethical complexity.

@@PixelForThought Exactly!😃

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! You’re right that the U.S. is a constitutional republic, not a direct democracy. The distinction is important, especially when talking about the limits on power and the checks and balances that exist within the system. As for the amendment proposal, it’s a good point that turning it down shows a healthy respect for constitutional limits. That said, the broader question of democracy-or the potential flaws in any system of governance-is still worth exploring, especially when considering how power is exercised and how divisions in society can weaken any form of government.

@@PixelForThought Thats the most AI response I've ever seen, the fact you used an AI response instead of actually responding is quite disrespectful, anyways, my main point was that your video is redundant and dose not truly have factual backing.

@ Thanks for your feedback. I'll try to improve for future videos. And Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

Both the Vox Populi and Comstock resort to extreme measures, pushing the player to examine where they stand. Whether from one side or the other, Aristotle argued that democracy is doomed to fail because of the division and instability created by such extremes. The game effectively illustrates this, highlighting how deep societal rifts can ultimately weaken a democracy.

Living in a floating city would be awesome!

@@ot7biasedmashups I completely agree-season two really leveled up the psychological depth and storytelling. The illusion of choice is such a chilling concept because it highlights how thoroughly the system manipulates players, not just physically but mentally. The research on those who didn't return was such a sinister yet believable move. It shows that the game isn’t just about survival-it’s about total control. The adrenaline rush aspect was fascinating too. You're right: surviving each game becomes its own drug, blinding players to just how little the prize money is worth in comparison to the trauma they endure. The entitlement after every win makes perfect sense-it's survival arrogance at its finest. And the separation of X and O players visually and socially drives home how quickly division and tribalism form when the stakes are high. Season two managed to capture the darker aspects of human nature even better than the first. I agree, they indeed truly outdid themselves this time!

@@Rezplz Thanks for the feedback, how so?

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate hearing different perspectives. If people aren’t enjoying the political angle, I’m definitely open to switching up my commentary style.

@@lailoutherand Thank you! @lailoutherand

@@Guiltyangel605 Absolutely agree!

@@nont18411 Yeah, I get what you're saying. Gi-Hun's lack of suspicion toward 001 was definitely frustrating, especially after everything he's been through. You'd think he'd be more cautious after obsessing over the games for years.

@@PixelForThought It’s called plot contrivance. It’s the situation when you can see that the writer wants this character to lose so they made this character unbelievably stupid. Human makes mistakes all the time but not this level ow mistakes.

@@nont18411 Exactly, it felt like they made Gi-Hun unrealistically naive just to drive the plot forward. He should've been more wary after everything he went through. It kind of undermines his character growth from season one. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

@@girl-fromthemoon I'm a robot 🤖

@@rainymayumi Thanks for the comment! I actually took notes while watching the show, wrote a script, and then used AI to help me refine and polish it. I hope it still feels personal, but I just wanted to make sure it came out clearly!

@ it doesn’t feel personal, it gives the vibes of a student being forced to write an essay so he uses chatgpt and drones it out to his teacher

@@rainymayumi Yeah, I could have definitely put more time into it. I appreciate the feedback though, and I'll try to make it feel more personal next time!

@@DJTisapedo I think Squid Game really highlights how easily systems can exploit people's desperation. The way they prioritize greed and their own survival over everything else can feel pretty reflective of a lot of what's wrong in the world today.

@@glumacuemil The song is: Way Back Then - from the squid game soundtrack. Then I added some sound effects in post.

@@Coolmathgames-y2o It's just greed. Even after reaching a point where they can probably pay off their debt, they still want more. The thought of dying doesn't seem to matter as much as the illusion of greater wealth. It's a dangerous mindset fueled by desperation and false hope.

@@PixelForThoughtI thought it was because of form of survivorship bias. If I made it this far than I surely won’t die the next round like that guy over there.

@ That's a great point! Survivorship bias definitely plays a role - they convince themselves that since they've survived this long, they're somehow immune to the same fate as others. It's a dangerous and delusional mindset that the games exploit perfectly.

I think the organizers will try to pit the players who didn’t participate in the revolution against those who did. By creating a divide between the two groups, they’ll deepen the tension and manipulate the players even further. They’ll likely use this division to maintain control. On top of that, they’ll probably punish Gi-hun and the others to break their spirit and force them back into the system, ensuring the games continue.

Almost all X voter gone in season 2 ep 7 so… 😅

⁠@@forcesidereason6685I’m glad someone else realizes this too! Basically everyone in the rebellion was an X voter, so now that leaves the O team with a significantly higher ratio of them than the X side. I don’t feel like the O team will change their opinions after the next games as well because people are gonna get into the mindset that “If I have already made it this far, I should keep playing because I have good odds of winning at this point”

@@forcesidereason6685 Good observation!

@@carrevenger31 You're right, now they'll have to play the games the whether they want to or not.

@@areyouserious1494 I completely agree with you. Squid Game really shines a light on the darker side of what we often consider democratic systems. It’s unsettling to think that, even in societies where we have the illusion of freedom and choice, power structures can still manipulate outcomes for the majority. The competition in the show mirrors real-world inequalities, where survival isn’t just about individual effort, but also about being trapped in a system that values profit over people. It's a reminder that democracy isn't perfect and often hides more than it reveals.

@@silverarch0633 "I've watched this show before!! -I said, I've watched this show before!"

I think so.. share with us your thoughts!

@@PixelForThought Got stuck up the part where you said they add 1 million won every day, correct me if I'm wrong.

@fdsgdgdgdgdgdfsdsds7405 3:39 The show invites us to question the value of human life and our willingness to sacrifice others. Every contestant eliminated adds 100 million won to the prize pool, highlighting how easily life can be commodified in the pursuit of wealth.

@@PixelForThought My bad sorry!

@@fdsgdgdgdgdgdfsdsds7405 No worries!

Haha, You're right! It's highlighting how even when someone "wins," the temptation to go for more is hard to resist.

@@FakeProfessionalYT Haven't seen it, how about Initial D

​@@PixelForThoughtIf you're into Japanese car culture I guess then sure!

@FakeProfessionalYT As a matter of fact, I am!

🤓🤓🤓

You're right! The show uses a variety of terms for them depending on the context, including 'pink guards,' 'masked men,' and 'staff.' It can be a bit confusing, but I see what you mean about sticking to the correct terminology. Thanks for pointing that out, and I’ll be more mindful of that in the future!

🤯

Exactly, it highlights how the illusion of choice is often used to control people, rather than giving them true freedom. In real-life systems, we’re often pushed into decisions that aren't really our own, with those in power manipulating the process to serve their own interests. It’s a sharp critique of how democracy can be easily manipulated into something that doesn’t truly represent the will of the people.

​@@vagnerpaulinobraganca Thank you so much for the support! Glad you enjoyed it.

Great question! I actually wrote down notes while watching the show, created my draft, and then used AI to help with editing and refining certain parts. I try to keep the ideas and message my own, and AI just helps smooth things out a bit. Thanks for asking!

@@PixelForThought yeah it’s easy to tell. It sounds so robotic, like the words were written by someone who either doesn’t give a flying fuck, or, well… ai. 30 seconds in I got the chatgpt vibe. I write as a hobby and using ai for scripts sucks the soul out of content. I despise people like you, you clearly missed the point of squid game if you’re using such a soulless way to content farm.

​@@rainymayumiThat's just how all these video essayists sound lol they have no personality or passion in their voice 😂

@@drbubonic4942 I recommend hbomber and wendigoon for good video essayists, not this soulless crap

@drbubonic4942 I have no soul. Just kidding 😂

Thank you for the feedback! I completely understand the importance of captions for accessibility. I just uploaded them, so hopefully, it makes it easier to follow along now. I appreciate your patience, and I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

@PixelForThought thank you so much!! You have good insights I'm glad that they're more accessible now!

@@ashtonoliphant5010 You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help. Thanks for your kind words-I'm really happy that the insights are useful to you! Feel free to reach out if there are any other issues.

They've invested so much and risked their lives countless times that they can't bring themselves to walk away, fearing that doing so would render all their sacrifices meaningless. However, the brutal reality of the games is that the longer they play, the fewer rewards there are, as fewer contestants remain to share prize pool. Instead trapping players in a cycle of false hope until there's nothing left but inevitable death.

Looking back, I think you're right. While this is the backstory Oh Il-nam gives to Gi-hun, some parts of it might be fabricated or exaggerated. That said, another possibility I like to consider is that his business was struggling, and fueled by greed or the desperation to maintain his wealth, he turned to illegal means-creating the games-as a way to secure his fortune. This adds a darker layer to his character, suggesting that even someone as wealthy as him could be driven by the same desperation and moral decay that the players experience.

I get where you're coming from, and I think some of your points about Season 2 are valid. It’s true that the creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, faced a lot of challenges getting Squid Game off the ground initially, and there’s no doubt the show’s massive success has opened up opportunities for him to capitalize on its popularity. That said, I don’t think the flaws in Season 2 necessarily mean it was rushed or purely a cash grab. The drug use aspect might feel out of place at first, but it could also be seen as a deeper commentary on how the games themselves and the promise of money give the players an addicting rush. In this way, the drug use could symbolize how the system preys on their vulnerabilities, turning them into addicts not just to substances, but to the twisted promise of wealth.

@@MoeMoe-ft7wj Everyone is so consumed by greed, chasing the illusion of wealth, that they fail to recognize their true needs-much like the bread scene with the salesman. It highlights how people are willing to sacrifice everything for a fleeting chance at something they believe will save them. The desperation and false hope of wealth cloud their judgment, blinding them to the fact that they’re already in a life-or-death situation, and that survival, not money, should be their primary concern.

@@igotbit9454 Maybe it has some influence but overall the system is rigged so that they can never agree in the first place.

Yeah, it's definitely possible. PTSD can have a huge impact, especially in high-stress situations like that. If he was a marine, the pressure of the games could have triggered something from his past experiences. It's a tragic part of his character that adds depth to the show's exploration of trauma and survival.

I get your frustration! It’s true that Gi-Hun didn’t seem as suspicious as he should’ve been, especially after all those red flags with Player 001. But you can tell that he was a bit wary when they first met. Maybe Gi-Hun was just trying to hold onto some hope or humanity in such a brutal environment. His friend probably should’ve spoken up more about what player 1 did in Game 3 too.

@@bwillsskates2638 By force!

@@bwillsskates2638 I think we will see more of her character ark in season 3.

@@bwillsskates2638 In season 1 one, the rich elites that come to watch the show talk about how the Korean version of the games is the best. Therefore there is talk about creating an American version of the show. Giving us hope that our characters will escape!

@@Scones777 Thank you Scones!

I got bored after 2 minutes of this video due to the chat GPT vide

Thank you for the suggestion Jonas. I will try to improve that for future videos.

Thanks for the feedback! I really appreciate it. I'll definitely take that into consideration and aim for a more natural approach moving forward. Thanks for your support!

Also subbed :). Really neat video essay, inspires me to get off my ass and do more media analysis

Haha, love to see it! That's awesome, thank you for subscribing! I'm glad the video inspired you. Media analysis is such a powerful tool, and I'm sure you’d bring a unique perspective to it. Hope you see you again soon!

@@polivepea Exactly, it highlights how the games, much like real-world systems, give people a false sense of choice and agency while maintaining complete control. It's a powerful commentary on manipulation and the way people are trapped within systems that only pretend to be fair.

@@lidiez_1316 Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked it and I hope to see you again soon.

@@Wandervenn That’s a solid theory, and it would definitely explain a lot about Dae-Ho’s behavior. The eagerness he shows could be more about proving himself to others-or even to himself-because of that sense of shame. The tattoo becomes almost like a mask, letting him hold onto this image of who he wanted to be, even if he didn’t actually get there. The way he handled the gun really does feel like someone who lacks full training. A real marine, even in a panicked state, would likely have that muscle memory to fall back on. Instead, his actions feel more desperate, like he’s compensating for what he doesn’t know. It’s a tragic thought that his attempt to prove himself might’ve been what landed him in the Squid Game in the first place.

@@PixelForThought Actually, and maybe this works in favor of my theory, but he reminds me a lot of Kodai Tatta from Alice in Borderlands- The mechanic who befriends Arisu. Young, eager, wants to be depended on and tries to push down the shame of past mistakes that led him to be put in a desperate position, but when finally confronted with the reality of messing up again he hits rock bottom hard and fast as he regresses back into that fear of failure. I think Dae-Ho has to have a heroic moment coming up(especially when confronted with the fact that Jung-bae, someone he looked up to as a marine, is dead), and that would also fall in line with the kind of character arc Tatto had. But yes, he lacks any muscle memory for sure. Not that every trauma comes out the same, but I think comparing other characters with ptsd like Gi-Hun can give us an idea of how the writers handle those kinds of mental states. I think there have definitely been hints that his story is fishy (personally, I was doubtful from the start when he was quick to kinda brag about being a marine) but not so much that he's suffering from trauma. If it were combat based, then we dont see an extreme reaction at any time during the show until they rebel. Gunfire has been around him like crazy, but he handles it just as well as everyone else- if not better.

@Wandervenn I totally agree with you, and that’s a great comparison with Kodai Tatta from Alice in Borderland! Their arcs really do have a similar vibe-young, eager, trying to overcome their past mistakes, but crumbling when faced with the weight of failure again. I’m with you on Dae-Ho having a heroic moment coming up, especially after Jung-bae’s death. That kind of redemption arc would fit perfectly with what we’ve seen from characters like him. Now you’ve got me thinking-I’m definitely going to have to do an Alice in Borderland video next!

Thank you! The revolution scene really stands out because it symbolizes so much about collective resistance and the fight for justice. It's powerful to see that kind of solidarity in action, and it’s definitely one of my favorite moments too!

@PixelForThought I really hope that a potential season 3 keeps this spirit!

@goblinanno8500 Yes, I do believe season 3 is confirmed!

@@PixelForThought Hey, I have a question. How many revolutions failed because there just weren't enough revolutionaries?

@@IMightBeVanny Many but consider this, nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts: www.bbc.com/future/article/20190513-it-only-takes-35-of-people-to-change-the-world

@@katrinatam2714 Dear loyal customer, thank you for shopping with Clean Air! Your clean air express account will be charged $104.08 this month. Happy breathing! Also, thank you for sharing those book suggestions-I’ll definitely check them out when I get a chance. I’m so glad you enjoyed the video and hope to see you again soon!

@@4shi10 Thank you so much for the support! It means a lot. Hopefully, with time, the channel will keep growing! I really appreciate you taking the time to check it out. Hope to see you again soon!

@@katrinatam2714 Thank you so much for your kind words! I really appreciate your feedback and your support. I understand your thoughts on the use of AI, and I'll definitely keep that in mind moving forward. It's always great to hear different perspectives, and I'm grateful for the time you took to share yours. Thanks again for subscribing, and I wish you all the best too!

@asavelakuse6865 That's a really deep perspective. The games truly highlight how predatory systems like gambling, loan sharks, and debt culture prey on desperate people. It's not just about greed, but how desperation warps people's decisions and humanity. Gi-hun's survivor's guilt and hatred for the games really emphasize this-he sees them for what they are: a cruel tool of the rich to exploit the poor. It’s such a tragic commentary on how capitalism and desperation push people into inhumane or bad choices. Like the rationalization of turning to crime to support your family, seeking opportunities that seem impossible to find anywhere else. I also wonder what happened to the other players. Maybe they also were also "invited" to come work for the games. Similar to the Frontman, they must have been offered something so enticing, like power or wealth, to stay and work for the games. Other winners may have also spoken out against the games and been silenced.