Maureen pointed me to this article by Chris Hedges about our two most famous dystopias, Brave New World and 1984. The gist of the article is that our society is moving from the Brave New World of hedonistic pleasing thyself to the brutal fear and hollow compliance of 1984.
One of the methods used to slide us in that direction is the reliance upon technology and the "new" that numbs us until we don't care what happens as long as we're entertained in the process. As a teacher I am frightened by the number of students that haven't read a book, but are connected to their iPhone constantly, a computer that keeps them up-to-date with national and world facts through Facebook and Youtube, and their movie watching that keeps the local corporate cineplex in the black. The students seem numbed to any voice other than what they are electronically fed. They remind me of Odysseus' companions after Circe is finished with them. Except there is no magic potion of herbs, just technology. And once that transformation begins, then what?
Once the techno-induced entertainment transforms us into the numb followers, then the corporations can complete their takeover. Do you think politicians and government are really concerned about its citizens? They have the power and they want more for the sake of having the power, not to help the populace. Think through the latest tax credits and legal machinations of our bureaucracies. Think of who really has profited from the housing debacle. Does the middle class really benefit from what has happened? Forget benefiting, do they even survive?
Two articles in today's Visalia Times-Delta illustrate the difference in how people think. In a recent AP-GfK poll 2 out of 3 (60% to 31%) Baby Boomers believe that they will outlive the Medicare health system they pay to support. The other article outlines how top executives in the University of California system, those making over $245,000 a year, are threatening to sue the the UC if their pension is not increased 5%. "The university estimates that agreeing to the hike would add $5.5 million yearly to its already $21.6 billion unfunded pension liability." (AP) On top of this is a "$51 million one time fee to make the increases retroactive to 2007."(AP)
Who do you think our leaders are thinking of?
1 comment:
Steve, I attended a presentation at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers' Conference last March where it was mentioned that the dystopian novel is a big up-and-comer, especially as the characters attempt to live victoriously in spite of it all. I think there are parallels to the Roman Empire: they achieved the Pax Romana by ruling brutally. We have achieved the highest standard of living the world has ever seen by turning ourselves over to our own technology. But don't lose heart. Keep up the good fight. And God is in control.
Post a Comment