Latest news with #anti-Marx
India Today
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Labubus of the world unite, but not at Karl Marx's grave
If not contradictions, then what? Just beneath the iconic slogan "Workers of the world, unite!" engraved on the grave of German philosopher Karl Marx, was a Labubu doll, carefully placed, reveals a now-viral post on X. Labubus — a symbol of capitalism — of the world can unite, but not at the grave of the father of Communist photo of the odd pairing went viral, racking up over 10 million views in just five days. While some adored the quirky contrast, others were far less one user said, "Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things ever". The designer toy, arguably a peak symbol of late-stage consumerism, which the philosopher had long warned against, resting on the grave of the man whose socio-economic theories laid the foundation for anti-capitalist thought in the modern world, felt nothing short of ironic, and yet, undeniably some people offered an "awww", what truly stood out was a handwritten letter by a Chinese student placed next to the Labubu doll, amid other tokens of tribute left for the letter, the student, having claimed to study theories at length, hailed Marx's ideas for transforming China's destiny, which were, honestly, far more heartfelt and endearing. But in the capitalist world, who's really stopping to read that?"People clowning on the Labubu but the letter itself is very heartfelt," a person DOLLS AND COMPULSIVE CONSUMERISMLabubu dolls, part of Pop Mart's "The Monsters" collection, are the brainchild of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. These snaggle-toothed, elf-like figures have become a global sensation among the GenZ. Its marketing model has thrived on scarcity and surprise. Sold in blind boxes, buyers don't know which doll they'll get until they open it — a tactic that mirrors gambling mechanics and drives compulsive limited-edition figures reselling for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, Labubus, to me at least, epitomises the artificial desire Marx critiqued in his warnings about capitalism's commodification of human dolls, often flaunted by influencers like Rihanna and Dua Lipa, have gone from being toys to status symbols for Gen Zs, and now, even gripped the late toys dangling from luxury handbags as badges have become symbols of Labubu dolls range from $15–$30 for standard figures and keychains, up to $960 for large editions. Rare 1.2-metre pieces fetching up to $170,000 at auctions. In India, prices start at Rs 2,000 for authentic pieces, but in flea markets, one can find counterfeit ones for as low as Rs ARE WHAT MARX HAD WARNED OFThe manufactured hype, where value stems from market frenzy rather than utility, is what late-stage consumerism is, Marx foresaw. It is a system where desire is engineered, and consumption is an internet's reaction to the Labubu on Marx's grave was a mix of hilarity and biting commentary."Icon of modern consumerism on his grave. He would have hated you," one person wrote. And fair enough, given the dissonance of a capitalist trinket adorning the resting place of Communism's person observed, "There's something deeply poetic and unhinged about a collectable capitalist gremlin sitting on the grave of the man who critiqued capitalism itself. Peak irony".With the question of who placed the doll still unanswered, the safest guesses remain a playful tourist, a cheeky critic, or an unwitting fan. But the sentiment online was clear: "Capitalism wins again", as one person declared, though perhaps they missed the fall of the Berlin LETTER AND BOILED POTATOES FOR MARXWith the viral buzz on, the Chinese student's letter offered a counterpoint. Written by one Liu Yuhae, the letter was full of deep gratitude for Marx's influence on contemporary socialist thought in China."I have always wanted to write you a letter," the student began, admitting their struggle to fully grasp his complex works, like The Communist Manifesto and The Critique of the Gotha a heartfelt touch, the student joked about looking like a potato and dreaming of cooking them for Marx in the after all, in his The Eighteenth Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte (1852), likened the French peasantry to a sack of potatoes, lumped together by condition but scattered in spirit, incapable of collective action without a binding IT NEED A LABUBU DOLL TO REMIND THE WORLD OF MARX?This letter carried, if not less, far more substance, more weight and thoughtfulness, the kind of note that truly belonged knows how many such letters lie unread at Marx's grave? But in a world dominated by capitalism, it took a Labubu doll for the post to go combined appearance of the sincere letter and the Labubu doll in northern London, where the philosopher spent the last decades of his life after fleeing political persecution in continental Europe, is nothing short of magic and their fans of the world may well unite and are uniting, but preferably not at Karl Marx's grave. True admirers of such marketed and ornamented trends would be better off finding more appreciative company presence of the Labubu doll at Marx's grave, however, is a reminder of capitalism's uncanny ability to repackage things as a marketable aesthetic. Let the dolls gather elsewhere, and leave Marx's to inspire, at least until the workers of the world unite. If they really ever do.- Ends
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Labubu doll left at Karl Marx's grave in London sparks viral reactions online
A viral photo showing a Labubu doll sitting at Karl Marx's grave has captured the internet's attention, blending cultural contradiction with humour and irony. Spotted at Highgate Cemetery in London, the Pop Mart character, symbolic of today's consumer-driven collectible culture, was placed beside the final resting place of one of capitalism's most outspoken critics. A Labubu was left on Karl Marx's grave. — Pop Crave (@PopCrave) July 24, 2025 The visual struck a chord online, with users calling it 'the most ironic moment in recent memory.' Known for being a product of surprise boxes and limited-edition hype, Labubu represents the very market obsession Karl Marx critiqued. 'Placing a Labubu there is actually akin to performing voodoo on Marx,' one user joked. Another wrote, 'Yes, there's a Labubu on Marx's grave. Capitalism won.' The scene became even more layered with the presence of a handwritten letter from Chinese student Liu Yuhae. The note thanked Marx for shaping her worldview and included a heartfelt line: 'I already look like a potato now... It has always been my long-cherished wish to cook potatoes for you every day in the afterlife.' Though some found the moment sweet, most online reactions focused on the symbolic clash. One user wrote, 'Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things,' while another added, 'The fact of knowing there is currently a Labubu on Karl Marx's grave bothers me at least twice in every hour.' From confused laughter to philosophical reflection, the image has sparked global conversation.
News18
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Labubu At Karl Marx's Grave? Internet Can't Handle The Ironic Crossover
The Internet couldn't ignore the irony of a Labubu doll placed on Karl Marx's grave, who famously stood against capitalism. Karl Marx, the political theorist and revolutionary socialist, devoted his entire life to fighting against capitalism and warning people about its consequences. What he probably never thought was that he could become a part of the very thing he opposed. But that's exactly what happened recently at his grave in London's Highgate Cemetery. In a photo going viral on the Internet, people noticed that a Labubu doll was kept on Karl Marx's grave along with flower bouquets and a letter. These plush dolls are all about limited editions, surprise boxes and hype, basically the kind of consumer culture the Father of Communism was against and criticised throughout his life. So, when people on the Internet came across the picture, it went viral, with many reacting to the irony of it. 'Placing a Labubu there is actually akin to performing voodoo on Marx," wrote one user. Another astonishingly asked, 'Is that a f—-g labubu?" A different user said, 'Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things I have ever seen." Someone else penned, 'The concept of knowing there is currently a Labubu on Karl Marx's grave." What Is A Labubu Doll? The trendy Labubu doll is part of the Pop Mart collection, which is sold in blind boxes, and customers would not know anything about the colour or type of the doll they will be receiving. Sometimes, these plush toys are sold for hundreds of dollars because of their limited manufacturing. Currently, a Labubu has become a Gen Z status symbol, an example of the kind of artificial desire and consumer frenzy that Karl Marx once warned us against. Karl Marx's Grave Also Had A Letter From A Chinese Student Besides the Labubu, there was something far more personal that stood out to the public: a handwritten letter by a Chinese student by the name of Liu Yuhae. With honest admiration, she reflected on how Karl Marx's writing shaped her view of the world. 'I have always wanted to write you a letter. But when it came to actually writing, I found myself at a loss for words because there was so much I wanted to say," she began her letter. Through the letter, she also described her journey of reading his works, from The Communist Manifesto to The Critique of the Gotha Programme. 'I hope that at the end of my life, I will receive an invitation from you. It has always been my long-cherished wish to cook potatoes for you every day in the afterlife. I already look like a potato now," she mentioned. Towards the end of the letter, she wrote, 'There are so many things to say that I can't possibly express them all. So I'll stop here. If I can meet you in my dreams, I will talk to you in more detail. I believe that you can see me. I won't bother you any more. That's all for now." About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Mint
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Internet loses it after spotting viral Labubu doll at Karl Marx's grave
Karl Marx, the man who spent his life criticising capitalism's grip on every aspect of life, from work to thought to human identity, probably never imagined that he would one day become part of the very system he opposed. But that is exactly what seems to have happened recently at London's Highgate Cemetery. A picture of Karl Marx's grave with the Labubu doll is going viral. Visitors were surprised to find a Labubu doll placed at Marx's grave. For those unfamiliar, Labubu is a trendy plush character from the Pop Mart collection, which is all about surprise, scarcity, and hype-driven collecting. It is everything that screams late-stage capitalism. So when people saw this wide-eyed toy sitting at the tomb of communism's most famous voice, the internet kind of exploded. 'Is that a f***ing Labubu?' a user asked in disbelief on X. Another said, 'Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things I have ever seen.' Labubu, sold in blind boxes where buyers do not know what they will get, is the perfect symbol of modern consumer obsession. These toys can resell for hundreds of dollars, all thanks to manufactured rarity. The irony of placing one on Marx's grave wasn't lost on anyone. But that was not all that was left there. Amid the kitschy toy tribute were more traditional offerings, flowers, notes, and heartfelt letters. A handwritten letter, penned by a Chinese university student named Liu Yuhae, stood out. She wrote with admiration and honesty, reflecting on how Marx's writings shaped her worldview. She shared her struggles with truly understanding his texts, but also her desire to live by them. In a touching and somewhat quirky close, she joked that she looked like a potato and hoped to cook them for Marx in the afterlife. 'If I can meet you in my dreams, I will talk to you in more detail,' she wrote. While the internet is making the situation lighthearted and fun, the very fact that a product of Capitalism was placed at Karl Marx's grave stands as a big irony. The man who had spent his life preaching against Capitalism now lies with the product of one. Labubu dolls are pricey mostly because they are released in limited quantities and sold through blind boxes, so you do not know which one you will get until you open it. Spotting a real Labubu is mostly about the packaging and quality. Genuine ones usually come in official Pop Mart blind boxes with branding and product info printed clearly. Some folks are burning Labubu dolls as a way to criticise overconsumption or reject consumer culture. Others just find the dolls creepy or are reacting to how expensive and overhyped they have become. Labubu is actually a character created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, but it's produced and sold by Pop Mart, a big collectibles company based in China.
NDTV
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Viral Labubu Doll Spotted At Karl Marx's Grave, Internet Erupts
Karl Marx wrote volumes warning the world about capitalism's ability to commodify everything: thought, art, labour, even identity. What the 'Father of Communism' likely never imagined was that one day, he himself would become part of the spectacle. This week, visitors to London's Highgate Cemetery spotted a Labubu plush toy placed on Marx's grave. Mass-produced, obsessively collected, and heavily marketed, Labubu is a product that represents late-stage consumerism. The 19th-century thinker who dreamed of a world without private property or profit now shared his grave with a wide-eyed doll, made by the same system he tried to fight all his life. — ladidai (@ladidaix) ???? see linkinbyeo (@ladidaix) July 22, 2025 The internet had a field day. A user on X exclaimed, "is that a f***ing labubu?" is that a fucking labubu — siggi ✡︎? (@SignsOfSiggi) July 22, 2025 "Who put a labubu there," a comment read. Who put a labubu there ???? — eri ♡ (@MeLlamoEri) July 22, 2025 A comment read, "Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things." Labubu could be one of the most anti-Marx things — Eleventeen Onety 1th (@11teen_onety1th) July 22, 2025 Someone wrote, "the concept of knowing there is currently a Labubu on Karl Marx's grave." the concept of knowing there is currently a labubu on karl marx's grave — helen (@helen) July 22, 2025 "Icon of modern consumerism on his grave he would have hated you," a user wrote. Icon of modern consumerism on his grave he would have hated you mfs — ray! (@stinkytotoro) July 22, 2025 Labubu is part of the Pop Mart universe, a collection of vinyl figures sold in blind boxes, where customers don't know what variant they will receive until they open it. Designed to manufacture desire through artificial scarcity, the toys have become status symbols in the world of Gen Z consumerism. Limited editions resell for hundreds, even thousands of dollars. The Labubu wasn't the only offering on Marx's grave. Alongside it were flowers, handwritten letters, and other tributes. One letter stood out. Written by a Chinese university student named Liu Yuhae, it showed deep gratitude for Karl Marx's work and its influence on contemporary socialist theory in China. "I have always wanted to write you a letter," Ms Yuhae began. "But when it came to actually writing, I found myself at a loss for words because there was so much I wanted to say." Ms Yuhae detailed her efforts to study Marx's works, from 'The Communist Manifesto' to 'The Critique of the Gotha Programme', expressing both awe and humility. "My study of both the principles and the original works of your theories is very limited and superficial... I hope that as my understanding continues to develop and deepen, I can get closer to you," she wrote. "I hope that at the end of my life, I will receive an invitation from you. It has always been my bong-cherished wish to cook potatoes for you everyday in the after life. I already look like a potato now," Ms Yuhae wrote. "In today's society, I still can't avoid being obsequious and senile. I hope that by the time we pass away our society will enable everyone to get rid of such flaws." She ended the letter saying, "There are so many things to say that I can't possibly express them all. So I'll stop here. If I can meet you in my dreams, I will talk to you in more detail. I believe that you can see me. I won't bother you any more. That's all for now."
