Comparing our current times to 'Idiocracy'
A column by Mike Levy
We continue to showcase the work of our columnists this week.
The Journal & Press has a relatively small circulation, but its columns make it a weighty read nonetheless.
The columns are written by local people, often about big-picture things, but connecting our region and current times to these larger trends.
Mike Levy, whose column is titled “Random Thoughts,” usually combines humor and education in his pieces, tying the two concepts together to arrive at a unique, well-reasoned conclusion — which really isn’t random at all.
He’s also a co-host in the early episodes of our Weekly Newspaper Podcast.
Here’s his most recent piece, comparing our recent times to a cult classic movie, “Idiocracy.”
Avoiding ‘Idiocracy’
By Michael Levy
Journal & Press
In 2006, the satirical movie “Idiocracy” was released. The movie, directed by Mike Judge, presents a dystopian future where human intelligence has drastically declined due to societal and environmental factors. Maybe reality is beginning to match fiction!
The film follows Joe Bauers (Luke Wilson), who was selected for a top-secret hibernation experiment. He was chosen because he was the MOST average person in the U.S. military. Alongside a woman named Rita (Maya Rudolph), he is put into stasis for what is supposed to be a one-year experiment. However, the project is forgotten, and both Joe and Rita end up being frozen for the next five hundred years.
When Joe and Rita awaken in the year 2505, they find a society where intelligence has regressed significantly. The population is overwhelmingly dumbed down, largely due to a combination of anti-intellectualism and consumerism. Society is dominated by lowbrow entertainment, commercialism, and an overall lack of critical thinking. No one knows how anything works or functions anymore, and society is about to collapse as a result.
Ultimately, Joe discovers that he is now the smartest person in the world despite being decidedly average back in 2006. It is not that he became smarter, everyone else became dumber. Joe is eventually enlisted by the President of the United States, President Dwayne Elizondo Mountain Dew Camacho (Terry Crews), to solve the nation’s overwhelming problems, such as failing crops and widespread trash accumulation. President Camacho is a former pro wrestler and porn star which gives you some of his major qualifications for the highest office in 2505. Joe solves the problem of worldwide hunger by using water in the crop irrigation system instead of what was being used by the people of the future, an expensive electrolyte-rich sports drink branded as “Brawndo: The Thirst Mutilator.” Even though Brawndo was clearly killing the crops, folks in fictional 2505 believed Brawndo’s advertising slogan that “it got what plants crave!” and that water, which was free, was only to be used in a toilet.
“Idiocracy” is both humorous and thought-provoking, using exaggerated scenarios to highlight societal issues, encouraging viewers to reflect on the direction of contemporary society. Despite its comedic tone, the film raises important questions about the potential consequences of neglecting education, critical thinking, and environmental responsibility.
Coming back to the current reality of 2024, we could be on the precipice of the satirical future portrayed in “Idiocracy.” Let me give you some examples.
When you make a call on your cell phone, do you realize that it is nothing but a sophisticated radio? Like a traditional radio, a cell phone uses radio waves to communicate. It converts your voice into an electrical signal, which is then transmitted as radio waves to a nearby cell tower. There is a lot of computing power in your smartphone, but do you understand how it works?
There might be a generation of young people alive today that do not even know what a dial tone sounds like. And for those of you living in Cambridge and Greenwich before 1949, you had to speak with a living human being known as a telephone operator before making a local call. After 1949, telephone users could just dial the local number after they heard a dial tone, but they still had to go through an operator for their long-distance calls. There were eighteen operators employed in Greenwich at the time to assist callers on their toll free or long-distance calls. Kids today might not understand how a rotary dial phone works because they are so accustomed to modern touchscreens and digital interfaces. It is always humorous to watch them using a rotary dial phone for the first time.
How about the automobile? Automobiles have seen significant advancements over the years, making them better in many aspects compared to their predecessors. Modern automobiles are safer, more fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly, and technologically advanced than their predecessors. They offer better performance, reliability, and comfort, making them a significant improvement over older models. But do we understand how new vehicles even work? Back in 1978, I bought a 1960 Cadillac for $100. Standard equipment included power brakes, power steering, automatic transmission, dual back-up lamps, windshield wipers, two-speed wipers, wheel discs, outside rearview mirror, vanity mirror, oil filter, power windows, and two-way power seats – all features that we think of today as ordinary but back then, all were considered to be true luxury options. Unfortunately, the driver’s side power window stopped working a few months after I bought it (and in the middle of a downpour, no less). Luckily, it took me only 15 minutes to fix the window switch wiring and get things working again. Today’s power windows are controlled by circuit boards comprised of a myriad of integrated circuits and chips. Who knows how to fix a non-functional window without replacing expensive parts? And how do modern On/Off push buttons on cars work? Magically the car verifies the presence of the key fob in your pocket, deactivates the security system, and uses sophisticated electronic controls to start the engine. I remember having to turn the ignition key on the Caddy until the huge 390 cubic inch V8 engine roared to life and then letting go of the key once it started.
How about the food that we eat? We can buy a loaf of bread at the grocery store that has a shelf life of weeks, not days. Store-bought bread often contains chemical preservatives like calcium propionate, sodium benzoate, and potassium sorbate. These additives inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria, extending the bread’s shelf life. Funny thing is that the few times that I made bread using ingredients with no additives and preservatives, the resulting product lasted but a few days without getting stale and moldy.
Several years back, I asked some pre-teens if they knew where cereal came from. Looking at me like I was stupid or something, they told me that cereal comes from the grocery store. None could even relate to how it originally came from a plant in the ground, was processed and packaged, and somehow transported to a grocery store shelf.
Do not accept the future blindly! Here in Washington County, it is easy to take the kids or grandchildren to a local farm and show them where our food comes from. These trips can be highly educational, showing them firsthand how fruits, vegetables, and other foods are grown, harvested, and brought to market.
Think about the technology that we use every day and strive to learn about it. There are a multitude of resources online, including free courses, tutorials, and videos that explain how different technologies work. Read books and magazines focused on science and technology. Publications like “Popular Mechanics,” “Wired,” and “Scientific American” provide insights into how everyday technology functions. Engage in do-it-yourself projects that involve basic electronics, coding, or mechanical work. Kits like Raspberry Pi or Arduino can help you and your children learn about programming and electronics through fun, practical projects.
No one can be knowledgeable about everything and that is not the ask here. I am encouraging everyone to develop a mindset of questioning and researching rather than blindly accepting today’s world at face value. Critical thinking skills are essential for understanding and navigating the complexities of modern life and building a better future.
By taking proactive steps to educate ourselves and the younger generation about where our food comes from and how modern technology works, we can foster a deeper connection to the world around us. This approach not only enhances understanding but also encourages responsible and informed engagement with the future, helping us avoid “idiocracy” entirely. How about that for a random thought!
Michael Levy is a retired government manager residing in Greenwich, NY, and is employed now as a technical consultant. He is also a Commercial Pilot and a Ham Radio operator.