Totalitarianism Vs. Anarchy? What's the future going to be like?

Karl Hungus

It occurs to me that in science fiction, views of the future are seemingly always about some grim totalitarian neo-fascist society. 1984, Fahrenheit 451, A Brave New World, Logan's Run, Brazil, V For Vendetta, Equillibrium, and many, many more examples... It's all got a running motif, and can be easily read as "Beware authority, or else this'll happen."

It seems to me that it's almost ingrained into our popular culture that this is authority, and fascism is the logical conclusion of authority.

But it appears that people don't seem to realise that things can go in the opposite direction, and are already starting down that path. Anthony Burgess seems to have made the most accurate prediction of what was to come, in my opinion.

I was recently reading this: Teen 'Sport Killing' of Homeless on the Rise

Sound familiar, my droogs?



Of course, it's not that bad here, yet. But it does appear that the world is headed in the complete oppossite direction to the fabled totalitarian future that we're warned and warned is going to happen. Bowler Hats seem to be replaced by caps at ridiculous angles, the white boiler suits substituted for tracksuits, 'Bangin' choons!' and Rap instead of Beethoven.

Thoughts?

mike65

Meh. It'll be neither. The scum that inhabit the kind of environment that kills tramps for fun are not a new phenomenon and before you say they were from respectable homes that not the point. Scum is, as scum does. Back in the 20s there was a famous case of Leopold and Loeb as 'respectable' as you might get who belived themselves superior but showed us otherwise.

Anarchy is bigger than 'random' murders and hoddies. Its something that becomes broadbased and, if left to fester deep rooted. One can think of countries that have been defined by anarchy esp in West Africa. Reading the papers one can get depressed at the State of Things.

Mike.

Jackie laughlin

I'm not depressed at "the state of things".

However, the rising tide was supposed to lift all boats but the metaphor suggests all rising equally. It hasn't happened and inequality has been made worse.

Gang violence is not new. When I was in my teens, getting home from town meant running a gauntlet of violent nutters, some of whom were in police cars.

Orwell's 1984 has proven to be remarkably accurate in the development of Newspeak. Plain speaking has all but disappeared in the media.

You really shouldn't say "anarchy" when you mean "disorder".

mike65

Jackie laughlin wrote:

Orwell's 1984 has proven to be remarkably accurate in the development of Newspeak. Plain speaking has all but disappeared in the media.

And he based that on his experiences working for the BBC during the war.

Mike.