The summary of ‘Snowpiercer: Class And Intellectuals’

The YouTube video explores the class divide in capitalist society through the lens of the film "Snowpiercer." It delves into the roles of different social classes like the working class, middle class, and bourgeoisie, using the train as a metaphor for societal inequalities and power dynamics. The video emphasizes the importance of education, the role of intellectuals in revolutions, and the evolving dynamics of class structures. It discusses concepts like organic intellectuals and traditional intellectuals, highlighting the need for education and specialized skills to challenge capitalist hegemony and empower the working class towards societal change. The importance of combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences is also emphasized as a means to transcend current societal conditions. Additionally, the video encourages self-education within the working class to foster empowerment and potentially create a more equitable future.

00:00:00

In this segment of the video, the content creator discusses the class divide inherent in capitalist society, outlining the working class (proletariat) and the capitalist class (bourgeoisie). They also explain the concept of the middle class, including small business owners and high-level managers. The train in the film “Snowpiercer” symbolizes this class divide visually, with the front representing the bourgeoisie and the back representing the working class living in poor conditions. The video delves into how the train serves as a metaphor for societal inequalities and power dynamics.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, the focus is on the film “Snowpiercer” and its depiction of a revolution that unfolds on a train representing the capitalist system. The lower-class individuals at the back of the train rebel against the oppressive conditions and move towards the front. The middle section of the train symbolizes the middle class, with privileged access to resources. The engineer and his daughter from the middle section are seen looking out of the windows, symbolizing a perspective beyond the system. The film also touches on the historical association of the middle class with fascism, as seen in the emergence of masked men from the middle section to maintain power when capitalism fails. This symbolism highlights the role of different social classes within the context of power dynamics and resistance.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the protagonist is led through the lives of the middle class, highlighting the importance of education in shaping ideology and social class roles. The education received by the middle class not only enables them to perform valued labor and live wealthy lives but also reinforces the status quo and class distinctions. Nam Goong, an engineer from the middle class, stands out as he critically analyzes the system due to his education and intimate knowledge of the train. His position as a traditional intellectual allows him to move beyond capitalism and align with the working class tail enders instead of violent fascist mobs defending capitalism.

00:09:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses how traditional intellectuals are often perceived as separate from their class background, political biases, and interests, operating as independent entities pursuing knowledge. Gramsci warns that this perception can be dangerous as it can obscure the true nature of an intellectual’s class affiliations and interests. The example of Jordan Peterson is used to illustrate this point, emphasizing the importance of recognizing intellectuals’ roles in society and potential biases. The discussion then shifts to Snowpiercer, highlighting how the character Nam Goong is depicted as separate and independent within the train’s social hierarchy, detaching him from any specific class affiliation. The segment concludes by emphasizing the significance of understanding an intellectual’s true position within social structures.

00:12:00

In this segment of the video, it discusses the role of intellectuals in revolutions and societal change, referencing the films “Snowpiercer” and “Parasite.” It highlights the idea that middle-class intellectuals are often needed to overcome systems like capitalism. The conversation delves into how revolutions historically have been led by educated individuals, emphasizing the importance of education and resources. It touches on the necessity of middle-class involvement in revolutionary movements, while also mentioning the risk of potential reactionary violence from certain segments of society.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the discussion centers on the role of intellectuals in leading the working class towards political change. The speaker highlights how traditional intellectuals typically come from middle-class and bourgeoisie backgrounds, whereas the working class is now better educated than ever before. The availability of information on the internet has largely eliminated barriers to accessing knowledge. Despite the historical reliance on traditional intellectuals, the working class now has the tools to educate themselves and lead their own movements. The concept of organic intellectuals, as described by Gramsci, is introduced as individuals within each class who possess specialized skills to guide and direct their class’s ideas and actions.

00:18:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses non-productive work that serves to maintain and justify capitalist hegemony, mentioning roles like middle managers, corporate administration, lobbyists, and HR as organic intellectuals of the bourgeoisie. The concept of organic intellectuals is explained, emphasizing that all individuals engage in intellectual activities to some extent. The idea that formal education is not a prerequisite for intellectual engagement is challenged, highlighting that working-class individuals can also be organic intellectuals with specialized knowledge and skills. The narrative from films like Snow Piercer and Parasite about the working class lacking access to intellectual realms is also examined.

00:21:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses Gramsci’s concept of the organic intellectual, emphasizing that lived experiences inform one’s intellectual worldview. The distinction is made between intellectuals from different classes, highlighting how working-class experiences provide a unique perspective that traditional academics lack. The importance of combining theoretical knowledge with practical experiences and skills in order to transcend current conditions is emphasized. Gramsci critiqued the reliance on traditional intellectuals for working-class leadership and advocated for education as a collective process to empower workers in both technical and humanistic aspects, aiming to overcome class inequalities in education and society.

00:24:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker emphasizes the importance of workers having technical skills needed by society for its functioning. They discuss the responsibility of the working class to educate each other to avoid being dominated by other classes. The speaker suggests the development of alternative educational institutions and the formation of study groups to learn collectively. By taking education into their own hands, the working class can potentially create a better future.