I’ve recently come to terms that Squid Game isn’t just about life-or-death games, it’s also about valuable lessons which include money, decisions, and how people act under pressure. Let’s break down some of the key economic ideas hidden in this thriller series.
1. Why Do People Take Crazy Risks And Decide To Join The Game In The First Place?
In Squid Game, people join the games mainly because they’re drowning in debt and have no way out, or they simply want to die or are thinking of suicide in the first place, like Thanos. The show reminds us of how financial pressure and how life’s circumstances can lead people to take massive risks, hoping for a big payout, regardless of whether it’s life-or-death.
How this is connected to real life: Think about lottery tickets, many people spend money they don’t have, hoping for that life-changing win, even though the odds are tiny! Another example would be gambling which’s another version for falling for the "get rich quick" schemes. Many people are driven by the hope that a massive cash prize could solve all their problems, even if the chances are almost zero. Just like in Squid Game, their decision isn’t necessarily about greed, it’s about desperation and wanting a fresh start, no matter the cost.
While Squid Game puts the “get rich quick” scheme into a far larger scale from the real world, this idea with life-or-death stakes, the reality is that economic inequality and overwhelming debt are very real struggles for millions worldwide. The show is a reminder of how important it is to address these issues so fewer people feel like their only options are extreme and risky.
2. How Teamwork is Helpful………Until It Isn’t
Some games in Squid Game show how working together can be a winning strategy (Tug of War, anyone?). But as the stakes get higher, alliances crumble, and self-interest takes over, people have eyes on the prize. And their number 1 goal is to take you down.
How this is connected to real life: This is exactly like business partnerships, people team up for mutual benefit, pulling in all their skills and resources to achieve a shared goal. But when profits are drastically gained or shrunk, competition starts to heat up, and alliances can fall apart. Everyone starts looking out for themselves, and loyalty is often the last resort for a business’s survival.
In Squid Game, this situation is crystal clear during the Marbles game. Players who were once allies are suddenly forced to turn on each other, not because they want to, but because the game demands it. The result? Betrayals, broken trust, and a brutal reminder that when resources are scarce, survival instincts kick in hard.
The same thing happens in real life, whether it’s in the business world or even friendships. When things are going well, it’s easy to work together. But when life gets tougher, that’s when true intentions come to light.
3. Choices Under Pressure
From picking a partner for the Marbles game to deciding which glass tile to step on in the Glass Bridge challenge, the players in Squid Game face tough, high-stake decisions at every turn. With limited information and everything on the line, they’re forced to rely on a mix of luck, instincts, and, at times, straight up manipulation to survive. Some manage to make it through by sheer chance, while others misstep, and lose everything.
How this is connected to real life: In economics, this is a lot like deciding whether to take a risky investment. Imagine putting your money into a high-risk stock or cryptocurrency, you could strike gold and see massive returns, or you could lose it all in a flash. Just like in Squid Game, you don’t always have all the facts, and sometimes it feels like you’re walking blindfolded into the unknown.
It’s also a lesson in opportunity cost: every choice you make means giving up another. Do you play it safe and avoid the Glass Bridge, or do you take the risk and hope for a reward? Whether in games, business, or life, tough decisions are often unavoidable, and the outcome can be as unpredictable as flipping a coin.
4. The Rich Get Richer
The VIPs in Squid Game are the definition of a representation of wealth and privilege. They're filthy rich, living in luxury, and watching the desperate players risk their lives for their amusement. They treat the players like pawns in a twisted game, getting entertainment from the suffering of others while their own lives remain untouched by life’s harsh realities. It’s a brutal reminder of how power and wealth are often concentrated in the hands of a few, leaving the majority to struggle just to survive.
How this is connected to real life: This reflects the large gap between the wealthy and the poor in our own world. While some people are just trying to make ends meet, facing challenges, working multiple jobs, or taking desperate risks, others sit comfortably in their wealth, often detached from the struggles of those less fortunate. In Squid Game, the VIPs are entertained by the suffering of others, much like how the wealthy can sometimes be distant from the realities of poverty and hardship.
5. The Ultimate Lesson: Is Money Worth It?
By the end of Squid Game, we’re left wondering: is all that money really worth losing everything? For some players, the thought of wealth is so strong that they’re willing to sacrifice anything, even their morals and relationships, to get it. But for others, the cost is just too high, and they realize that no amount of money can make up for the lives and connections they’ve lost along the way.
How this is connected to real life: Money is important, no doubt. It’s what gives us security, opportunities, and the ability to improve our lives. But Squid Game makes us think even deeper about this, pushing us to consider what really matters in the end: friends, family, and staying true to ourselves. The show forces us to ask whether wealth is worth sacrificing the things that make life meaningful.
What do you think? If you were in Squid Game, would you play to win, or would you walk away? What are your thoughts and critiques? Let me know in the comments!