Apr 10, 2008

paranoia will destroy ya

Four months of almost nothing but dystopian fiction. That's about 32 novels, each with their own take on a perfect society harboring a fatal flaw. I've waded through bloody dictatorships, brutal authoritarianism, drugged out masses, information hoarders. I've wallowed in stories about corporate control, religious rule, all-for-one fascism, medical manipulation for the good of society. Big Brother's heart beats on every page - children turn in their parents, husbands their wives, teachers their students.

So, how is it affecting me? Well, my friends say I'm a little more paranoid. Rather, when I point out something that sounds perfectly logical to me (for instance, the fact that a largely unemployed populace of young adults makes for a very good pool of soldiers in ongoing wars, when I suspect some of our leaders may have in mind), they've taken to saying things like, "Still reading dystopias, huh?"

I think this literary diet is making the dystopian elements of our own society jump out at me. My friends, although a paranoid and anti-authoritarian bunch in general, think it's making see ghosts that are only dust mites. I suspect it's six of one and a half dozen of the other.

4 comments:

white rabbit said...

Remember the old hippie saying...

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not after you.

;)

That Hank said...

Exactly. No reason my friends and I can't both be right.

Anonymous said...

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait... you're saying that you think people in the government are intentionally trying to keep unemployment high so that a lot of people will be tempted to join the military when upcoming wars arise?

Wow, you really are paranoid.

That Hank said...

No, I'm saying that a lack of working class jobs is a boon for governments that want a "volunteer" army to fight endless and fairly pointless wars. What they are or are not doing on the matter is up for speculation.