Are We Getting Dumber?
Have you seen the movie Idiocracy? It’s a little-known Mike Judge film starring Luke Wilson, Dax Shepard, and Maya Rudolph. It is a biting social satire that explores the effects of television and corporate control on our intelligence. Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph are sent to the future in an Army experiment, and they find a world full of idiots whose most-popular TV show is Ow, My Balls and whose big Oscar movie is Ass.
It makes me wonder whether Rock of Love Bus and The Real World are a direct line to this horrific future. If so, what can we do about it. The lure of these ridiculous reality shows is big. They are like visual crack. I’ve spent many a weekend lost in a Real World, I Love the 80s, and even Living with Ed marathon. And I love getting lost in a good scripted show or movie. Does that mean that I’m making my self stupid by allowing myself to be entertained?
Ah, but that is the beauty of a good social satire. It makes you think. Some others I like are Thank You for Smoking, American Dreamz, But I’m a Cheerleader, and Heathers. And of course, there is The Colbert Report and South Park. What about you? What satires speak to you? Do you like satire as a tool for social commentary?
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Tags: american dreamz, but i'm a cheerleader, dax shepard, heathers, idiocracy, luke wilson, maya rudolph, reality tv, rock of love, satire, south park, thank you for smoking, the colbert report, the real world
Uncategorized | Jennifer C. Rodland | 
April 21, 2009 4:00 am
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By katie71483, April 21, 2009 @ 8:05 am
I, too, have grave concerns about the future of the human race. In an age when spelling and grammar have been completely thrown by the wayside in favor of “text speak,” you kind of have to assume we’re getting dumber.
Idiocracy is an interesting movie. I’ve watched it a couple of times and depending on my mood, I either think it’s one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen or I think it’s an unflinching, honest look at the future of the human race. What does that say about me??
In general, I much prefer scripted tv to the reality crap that clogs the airways. Sometimes, though, I get drawn in and can’t look away… and I can’t figure out why. I don’t want to watch it. They aren’t people or situations that I have anything in common with, or any interest in, so why am I drawn to it? If you’ve got any insight into this phenomenon, please let me know.
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By Jennifer Roland, April 21, 2009 @ 9:16 am
Idiocracy is both. Mike Judge is a master at using humor to point out society’s flaws.
And reality TV is like candy. We know it’s not good for us, but something about the drama, the horror, and the craziness are addictive. Most of the scripted fare is like candy, too, but it is somehow less bad. It’s the Power Bars of the entertainment world. Every now and again, though, I simply must turn on PBS, which I view as raw leafy greens. Good and good for you.
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By December, April 21, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
Idiocracy is chillingly hilarious. That scene at the very beginning, with the reproduction patterns of the PhD’s vs the trailer park dwellers?
Spot on.
And scary.
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By Jennifer Roland, April 21, 2009 @ 7:44 pm
I have spent a good portion of my life bemoaning the fact that the dumber people are, the more they seem to breed.
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