Benevolent Dictatorships
Rented The Village and I, Robot this weekend. These are not new movies, so I won't get into any reviews, as I was already chastised for going on about Halo, when Halo 2 is already out. However, I did enjoy both movies. But, of course, what interested me most were the political aspects of both films. It struck me that both featured a "ruling class" that felt they had the answers.
The Village featured an Orwellian community in which all of the citizens, save for a few "elders", were completely ignorant. Complete with subject matter that was taboo, fear being used to contain any curiosity, and a complex framework of lies and stories to make the peasants believe the charade. All, of course, in the best interest of the community. And with the occasional personal sacrifice for the common good.
While the robot VIKI in I, Robot, who had deduced that man couldn't be trusted to do what was right for themselves, felt compelled to intercede. The robots would certainly be able to do a better job, as they would not have complex human emotions clouding their perfectly logical judgment.
Sometimes I feel like Detective Spooner:
I don't mean this to sound arrogant or condescending, but much of what I see and hear each day, to me, seems like madness. The food police, poverty pimps, tobacco nazis, feminazis, gun grabbers and socialist utopians all remind me of the robots and elders.
We peasants obviously can't be trusted to do what's right for ourselves, so they must intercede. If not, why there's no telling what we might do. We'll eat the wrong food, partake of harmful substances, squander our money. And if, like the elders, they have to lie to us to get our cooperation, well, the ends justify the means. They only want what's best for us.
If you were in The Village, would you choose to live free in reality? Or would you rather have the safety and security of living in the dark with other people responsible for your well-being? I'm afraid that more and more people are opting for the latter.
The Village featured an Orwellian community in which all of the citizens, save for a few "elders", were completely ignorant. Complete with subject matter that was taboo, fear being used to contain any curiosity, and a complex framework of lies and stories to make the peasants believe the charade. All, of course, in the best interest of the community. And with the occasional personal sacrifice for the common good.
While the robot VIKI in I, Robot, who had deduced that man couldn't be trusted to do what was right for themselves, felt compelled to intercede. The robots would certainly be able to do a better job, as they would not have complex human emotions clouding their perfectly logical judgment.
Sometimes I feel like Detective Spooner:
Does thinking you're the last sane man on the face of the earth make you crazy?
'Cause if it does, then maybe I am.
I don't mean this to sound arrogant or condescending, but much of what I see and hear each day, to me, seems like madness. The food police, poverty pimps, tobacco nazis, feminazis, gun grabbers and socialist utopians all remind me of the robots and elders.
We peasants obviously can't be trusted to do what's right for ourselves, so they must intercede. If not, why there's no telling what we might do. We'll eat the wrong food, partake of harmful substances, squander our money. And if, like the elders, they have to lie to us to get our cooperation, well, the ends justify the means. They only want what's best for us.
If you were in The Village, would you choose to live free in reality? Or would you rather have the safety and security of living in the dark with other people responsible for your well-being? I'm afraid that more and more people are opting for the latter.
posted by The Man at 10:10 PM
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