Crab people. The name brings to mind images of crustacean humanoids scuttling along the ocean floor or lurking in dark, briny caves. While the existence of actual crab people is up for debate, the metaphor of “becoming crab people” is one that resonates with many. It evokes a sense of regression, devolution, and embracing our baser instincts. How did this notion of crab people come about and what does it really mean?
The concept of crab people or crab mentality draws inspiration from the behavior of real crabs. When crabs are trapped in a bucket, they will often pull down any crab that tries to climb up and escape. Rather than supporting each other they drag each other down out of competitiveness and jealousy. This analogy has now evolved as a cultural shorthand for people who think and act this way — pulling others down rather than helping them up.
While we may have been metaphorical crab people in the past, focused only on our own gain, many of us are transcending this way of thinking. We’re realizing that when we support those around us, we are lifted too. Cooperation rather than competition is the way forward. What benefits the whole, benefits the individual.
The shift from crab person thinking is visible all around us. Here are some examples:
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Movements like Black Lives Matter have brought people together across races, religions, and backgrounds to fight for justice and reform. Rather than tearing each other down diverse coalitions are cooperating for the common good.
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Worker collectives and cooperatives are on the rise as people realize that when resources are shared more equitably we all benefit. Employees have more of a stake and profits don’t only flow to the top.
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Even in popular culture we see this shift, with more movies and shows promoting themes of friendship and teamwork rather than cutthroat individualism.
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On a personal level, many of us are making more of an effort to build up those around us through mentorship, emotional support, and community service.
So while the notion of “crab people” still persists as a warning, more and more of us are actively resisting it by banding together. We are strengthening our communities, standing up for those in need, and embracing interdependence. Sometimes we may still feel the pinch of competition, jealousy, and pettiness. But now we have a choice – do we give in to those baser instincts or rise above? More often than not, we are choosing the higher path. We are outgrowing the crab buckets and becoming fully realized human beings.
Co-starring[]
- Kristen OMeara as Beth
- Sabrina Vittore as D&B Waitress
Plot[]
11:00 AM On a Tuesday, Philadelphia, PA
Dennis, Mac, and Charlie bemoan the arrival of homeless in RVs setting up camp in front of their bar due to the economic downturn. They go inside to find Frank attempting suicide by hanging, but he is unsuccessful. Frank mentions he has lost all of his money in a Ponzi scheme, and Dennis cuts Frank down from his rope.
Dennis, Mac, and Frank meet up at their local Dave & Busters to have dinner in a seemingly routine meeting of Paddys Pubs “upper management.” Dennis and Mac want to discuss giving themselves bonuses, while Frank criticizes the idea especially in light of the bar suffering during the current economic recession and Frank not having any more money. Dennis and Mac respond by firing Frank on the spot to “streamline” their business.
Back at the bar, Dennis and Mac threaten to fire Charlie and Dee as well unless they can defend that their positions are worthwhile. Charlie is enthusiastic, but Dee balks at the idea. Dennis and Mac mentions they do not actually know what Dee does at the bar, and doubts Dee can mix them drinks. When asked to make a drink, Dee tries to take a shortcut by simply opening a bottle of beer, but Dennis requests a mojito instead. Cornered, Dee declares she quits before the guys can fire her.
Dee finds Frank and demands money since she quit working at the bar and cant pay her rent. Frank refuses, stating no more bailing out the gang since he has lost all of his money. Dee then inquires about what Frank is doing, and he reveals he has a business plan. Dee wants to join Frank to earn money herself, but is only accepted by Frank when she promises to let him use her credit status however he wants.
Charlie shows Dennis and Mac what essential tasks he does at the bar to save his job, such as burning garbage in the furnace for heat, filter rainwater barrels, siphon electricity from around the neighborhood to the bar, and turning on the neon “Coors” sign in front of the bar (which is really the “Closed” sign, further proving Charlies illiteracy). As Dennis fires Charlie, Frank and Dee pull up to the bar in an RV, revealing they are living in the RV as part of their new business after subletting Frank and Charlies apartment. With his set of keys to the bar taken away, Charlie is essentially homeless. He attempts to move back with his mom, only to find she has sublet his room to his uncle (someone who Charlie fears to be alone with).
Frank reveals to Dee that his new business is to sell knives and industrial vacuum cleaners door-to-door. Dee is upset they took out a high-interest loan in her name to fund the business, but has no other choice. As they make their sales pitch to their first potential customer, Frank cuts his hand badly with the knives during his demonstration, and runs to the bathroom. Dee fails to distract the potential customer with her sales pitch about the vacuum cleaners, and they end up finding Frank unsuccessfully trying to hang himself again.
Dennis and Mac reconvene at Dave & Busters again, where Dennis pitches the idea of making their bar run like Dave & Busters model. They order and print “Paddys dollars” to mimic Dave & Busters Power Card system of in-store currency. When returning to the bar, they notice an increase of RVs parked on their street and homeless encampments. Dennis comes up with the idea of distributing the Paddys dollars to the “shanties” for free so that they would come to their bar for drinks and create a “self-sustaining economy.”
Frank is now taking Dee to the docks, saying he has a contact that will help them with a new business venture. The contact turns out to be Charlie, now living by the docks in a cardboard box and fishing for crabs. Frank states they will now be crab fishermen to a disgusted Dee. Soon, however, Frank gets a call on his cell phone and excitedly thanks the person on the line.
Back at the bar, Dennis and Mac have distributed their entire supply of drinks to the people they handed out the Paddys dollars to after they cashed them back in. Without replicating the Dave & Busters system where patrons exchange real money for in-store currency, Dennis and Mac realize they have only earned their Paddys dollars back with no profit and essentially having given away their bars drinks for free. Frank returns to the bar with Charlie and Dee, happily exclaiming the government is reimbursing Frank for all the money he lost to the Ponzi scheme. He offers to take Dennis and Mac to Dave & Busters to discuss the future of the bar, and the “upper management” once again excludes Charlie and Dee.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia – We are Crab People now!
FAQ
Who are the crab people in mythology?
Crab mythology and folklore feature crabs as symbols, monstrous beings, or even reincarnated entities, often tied to themes of war, death, and the sea.
Are crabs out now?
The primary season for all crab species runs from October to January, when they are often at their largest and populations are highest after spawning. Some regions even stretch crabbing season into July. It depends on the area and specific type of crab to know when the season is and when crabs will be their freshest.
How many years have crabs existed?
The crab fossil record extends back into the early Jurassic, more than 200 million years ago.Oct 20, 2021