Lovecraft was basically translating his alienation with capitalism into short stories. Unfortunately, being a reactionary for most his life, he punched down instead of up, and his fears were pointed at minorities and women and air conditioners instead of the pervasive system itself.
“If you can do something beneficial, do it.”
My god, truly a genius, if every General read Sun Tzu there’d be no war because they’d realize all battles have already been determined in advanced.
(Yeah I don’t get it either)
The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin is the only fantasy story I’ve read that handles this trope correctly.
(Being written by a woman of color probably helps a lot).