There was a movie that came out back in 1987. It was called “The Running Man” starring the current governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Interestingly, it took place in the year 2017, not exactly far off from our time. The premise was a game show that criminals would fight for their life through, ultimately with the chance of winning their freedom and a substantial cash award. It was a live show, where the numb and entranced masses cheered for blood, even taking bets on who would get killed first.
I mention this movie because I find it interesting and relative to our time. We have not come quite to that point in entertainment, but we are getting closer. Society in 2017 in the movie basically was reminiscent of a police state, where the government pacified the masses of people with these kinds of shows that were both outrageous and violent. The economy of the world has collapsed and the government is the ultimate authority on cultural activity, and all the while no one seems to care.
My generation and the generations behind me are pacified now. Everyone is worried about getting the newest BlackBerry or iPhone and new “apps” and no one really is paying that much attention to what is going on around them. Life is a party for many of them, and the majority does not have any interest whatsoever in current events. They drink, go to clubs, listen to music, fuss around on their cell phone, play video games, watch TV (not the news though), and they meander around worrying about the most trivial of things. Many of them are plugged into their MP3 players whenever they are going to and coming from classes or work, making any kind of human contact impossible. Human avoidance is one of the symptoms of what has evolved over the past ten years and if you have not noticed this behavior I suggest you take another look around.
Meanwhile, this country’s economy is going to hell. The Chinese hold an exorbitant amount of American debt. Iran is in the process of getting a nuclear weapon. A planned overhaul to the healthcare system for the worst was narrowly dodged but now being brought back to the forefront. Cap and trade is still being talked about. The Federal government is looking to pass another “jobs” bill to compliment the one that busted last year. Unemployment is still in double digits.
And yet, we are concerned about our cell phones, Tiger Woods, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Jersey Shore, and any other slew of popular culture/technological mind entrancements that has enslaved this country. I am of the firm belief that while technology has its benefits, it will eventually be one of the causes of our downfall.
How many hours do you spend a day in front of a screen? It could be any screen: computer, cell phone, television, PDA, take your pick. One study from Ball State University concluded that on average Americans spend eight hours a day in front of a screen of some kind. Eight hours. That is one third of a day. And this is not considering people under the age of 18 mind you.
Pacification.
We as a country are fascinated with the trivial and are losing sight of the important things. For example, 54% of the eligible voting population voted in 2008. This was a presidential year, and half of America could really give a damn. But I bet they could tell you the latest happenings in popular culture. Do not even get me started on the off-year elections.
While everyone is so preoccupied with their newest and popular gadgets, music, and entertainment (no matter how bad and trashy the entertainment is becoming), things continue to get worse in this country and no one seems to care. They may acknowledge that something is wrong, but you will not see much action from these people. They are too busy to be bothered. And when apathy continues to the rule the day is when the problems become unsolvable.
“The Running Man” shows a population of people so preoccupied with glorified, outrageous entertainment that they cease to care the world they live in has fallen apart. And that is where we may be heading if we are not careful.
2017 may not be so far off after all.
I mention this movie because I find it interesting and relative to our time. We have not come quite to that point in entertainment, but we are getting closer. Society in 2017 in the movie basically was reminiscent of a police state, where the government pacified the masses of people with these kinds of shows that were both outrageous and violent. The economy of the world has collapsed and the government is the ultimate authority on cultural activity, and all the while no one seems to care.
My generation and the generations behind me are pacified now. Everyone is worried about getting the newest BlackBerry or iPhone and new “apps” and no one really is paying that much attention to what is going on around them. Life is a party for many of them, and the majority does not have any interest whatsoever in current events. They drink, go to clubs, listen to music, fuss around on their cell phone, play video games, watch TV (not the news though), and they meander around worrying about the most trivial of things. Many of them are plugged into their MP3 players whenever they are going to and coming from classes or work, making any kind of human contact impossible. Human avoidance is one of the symptoms of what has evolved over the past ten years and if you have not noticed this behavior I suggest you take another look around.
Meanwhile, this country’s economy is going to hell. The Chinese hold an exorbitant amount of American debt. Iran is in the process of getting a nuclear weapon. A planned overhaul to the healthcare system for the worst was narrowly dodged but now being brought back to the forefront. Cap and trade is still being talked about. The Federal government is looking to pass another “jobs” bill to compliment the one that busted last year. Unemployment is still in double digits.
And yet, we are concerned about our cell phones, Tiger Woods, Kanye West, Taylor Swift, Jersey Shore, and any other slew of popular culture/technological mind entrancements that has enslaved this country. I am of the firm belief that while technology has its benefits, it will eventually be one of the causes of our downfall.
How many hours do you spend a day in front of a screen? It could be any screen: computer, cell phone, television, PDA, take your pick. One study from Ball State University concluded that on average Americans spend eight hours a day in front of a screen of some kind. Eight hours. That is one third of a day. And this is not considering people under the age of 18 mind you.
Pacification.
We as a country are fascinated with the trivial and are losing sight of the important things. For example, 54% of the eligible voting population voted in 2008. This was a presidential year, and half of America could really give a damn. But I bet they could tell you the latest happenings in popular culture. Do not even get me started on the off-year elections.
While everyone is so preoccupied with their newest and popular gadgets, music, and entertainment (no matter how bad and trashy the entertainment is becoming), things continue to get worse in this country and no one seems to care. They may acknowledge that something is wrong, but you will not see much action from these people. They are too busy to be bothered. And when apathy continues to the rule the day is when the problems become unsolvable.
“The Running Man” shows a population of people so preoccupied with glorified, outrageous entertainment that they cease to care the world they live in has fallen apart. And that is where we may be heading if we are not careful.
2017 may not be so far off after all.
The Mang
Conservative Capo of Youngstown
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