Dystopia

A discourse on the redemptive value of dystopian literature.

Dystopia

What do the Matrix, 1984 and Brave New World all have in common? They’re all three of my favorite things in the world! I’ve had a rather modest sampling of other dystopian works like We, Ayn Rand’s Anthem, Animal Farm, Hunger Games?, etc. The big 3 are really what opened my mind to the value of dystopian literature on expanding human consciousness. Dystopia is essentially a nightmare in the labyrinth of collective conscience. It takes troubling elements/symbols of society and paints a vision, if done correctly, acts as a cold pale of water thrown on you in the midst of a calm blissful nap.

Arguments that attempt to compare modern society on any scale whether America, western society or the entire world to one of these dystopias are rather cliche. Dystopia focuses on specific aspects and portrays them in grotesque ways while ignoring positive and/or contrary evidence. However, these works are artistic and not philosophical ventures. They paint a picture, the observer extrapolates. More importantly than grasping the message is applying those effects to the mind. How can we do this?

Dystopia highlights the manipulation that is inherent in the human condition. Our minds are shelled by a constant stream of manipulation not only from other people in an individuals immediate contact but from mass media, religion, advertisement, and substances just to name a few. Lets break apart the concept of manipulation. I will point out to slow my roll into a full fledged conspiracy theory that manipulation is absolutely necessary to survive in a world that has been scientifically proven (more to come on this in other articles) to be based on interconnectedness. Our parents manipulate us to whatever ends they deem. This is why we have a perspective that is not anyone else's because we are manipulated in a unique way. Without getting in depth into the free will/determinism debate I will argue that manipulation is not absolute and part of the tension of the dystopian genre relies on that premise; otherwise the protagonist would be utterly hopeless. Here’s the good news if you are fortunate enough to be reading this then you most likely live somewhere that allows for you to cut down on the manipulation. Manipulation loses some of its power when it is subjected to mindfulness. What does this mean practically?

Minimizing exposure to the media is important to having a healthy mind. Aldous Huxley in an interview in 1964 voiced a valid concern for advertising that was targeting base and subconscious instincts because it removed a degree of agency from the observer. The manipulation of the subconscious is especially sinister considering the power it has over the human psyche. One need not to be a PhD in psychology to realize this. The less exposure and dependence one has on the media in the form of T.V, movies, etc the more agency one will have. A book is processed through different pathways in the brain that require significantly more cognition, therefore the chance of subconscious manipulation is lessened.

Dystopia reveals that deep in our nature is the will to fight something. Whether that be the government, oppression, religion, change the mind needs a struggle. That is why Zion is programmed by the architect in the Matrix in order to satiate those people who are not satisfied with the “world as we know it”. I cannot help but to be cynical at times when I purvey the plethora of vain causes that lead into patent absurdity. Walking around a crowded street the other day I was repeatedly approached by advocates telling me not to get the verichip. Supposedly they believe the government will plant a chip in our heads to control us and it was their purpose in life to oppose this evil, despite it being completely imaginary. Religion is a more prevalent example even though I am a big fan of religion, many pews are filled by constructing a metaphysical lie about the universe and placing their church at the center of the battle against enemies that are ill-conceived. Whether it be homosexuals, protestants or muslims, people love to be righteous warriors fighting for freedom and justice in a wicked land. If we have this need to struggle, what should we really be struggling against?

There is by no stretch of the imagination a lack of causes to fight for in the world today. While mass media is oftentimes used to manipulate, the silver lining, so to speak, is that it has brought to the light injustices of the world for everyone to see. The irony is however that advertisements paid for by corporations simultaneously manipulate people into not caring about these injustices. We need to begin by struggling against manipulation because collectively I firmly believe the problems of the world will improve to the proportion the minds of the world expand. 

Dystopia is not as depressing when you realize you can use the art form for self improvement. The esoteric metaphysics of this universe set up conditions that make much of what happens outside the realm of conscious control. Our minds are the only hope we have. I’d go far enough say our minds are all we have in this universe. Therefore, it should be seen as a sacred duty to protect them and grow them as if they were the farm upon which you depended upon for food.