An excellent article. I'm far too apathetic and selfish to think the kinds of self-flagellating thoughts you describe here. I also know that I personally can do very little about extreme capitalism (ie the US - it is still fairly bad here in the UK, but at least we have universal healthcare), so I've made peace with that a long time ago.

As to Squid Game itself, my three main comments are:

1) Although it borrows extensively from other stories, it is gripping enough in its own right to stand out. It is well scripted, acted, and directed, with great sets, innovative scoring, and iconic imagery. Plus it pays blatant but heartfelt tribute to Stanley Kubrick - particularly A Clockwork Orange - in many enjoyable ways.

2) It highlights the Korean debt crisis (and the problems of extreme capitalism) in a vivid and thought provoking way.

3) It provides a fascinating insight into the depravity of the human condition, in terms of where unchecked hedonism could lead. Yes it's satirical, but once upon a time gladiators fought one another at the Roman Games. Squid Game isn't such a stretch, in the context of history.