This is why I appreciate the game even more as time goes on, rather than less. I personally believe that FFVII is more relevant now than ever - how many games can you say that about? When I first played the game in middle school 13 years ago, it was the first game I ever played that wasn't just cool, but felt relevant to me. It indulged my bitter, rebellious sensibilities, growing up in a place with high income inequality, big business, pollution, and disrespect for life. It also made me question Christianity for the first time, but that's not relevant to the thread. I always knew from that age that the modern world, already resembling FFVII, would unfortunately become more, rather than less like it. And unfortunately that many innocents will always be punished due to the actions of those in power.
The game goes on to point out that people are complacent, because these bad business practices gave them (except for the poor, of course), a more luxurious quality of life. I see so many people talk/post about the "poor animals" but participate just as eagerly in the consumerism that's destroying the ecosystem as anyone else. They don't want to change their lifestyle. They want platitudes and excuses.
@LicoriceAllsorts, that actually made me laugh out loud. I've always thought of President Shinra as like, a more polite and well spoken version of Trump.
While I don't necessarily agree with the article's analog to Rufus, the parts of his argument that are not incorrect are interesting. There's also not that much character development to go off in the OG.