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Stumbling Towards Idiocracy
Author: BobR
Date: 2015-04-22 10:21:20
As we stumble along well into the 21st century, the dreams of my youth - with flying cars, jet packs, and an enlightened society exploring the solar system - seem further than ever from reality. Every time I turn around (or - more accurately - refresh my browser), I see yet another story of mean stupid people doing mean stupid things. For example - the GOP congressman who threatened to "drop" a protester who touched him.
Increasingly, it seems like the movie "Idiocracy" was more prophecy than warning. FOX "News" thinks the solution for the problems in the Middle East is a more "manly" version of Christianity, not some pussy version...
Stupid is as stupid does, and we're not doing our kids any favors by "teaching to the test". We are really low on the academic scales.
As science becomes more and more marginalized, our crops increasingly become marginalized
And capital punishment is devolving into "toaster in a bathtub" territory as states try to get creative as approved drugs become scarce. Why not death by supertruck?
Science used to be respected and admired. Now it only draws attention if it means new features in consumer goods. Per Neil deGrasse-Tyson, we push science aside at our own peril
And the end of an informed democracy is the beginning of a very real Idiocracy.
Increasingly, it seems like the movie "Idiocracy" was more prophecy than warning. FOX "News" thinks the solution for the problems in the Middle East is a more "manly" version of Christianity, not some pussy version...
Stupid is as stupid does, and we're not doing our kids any favors by "teaching to the test". We are really low on the academic scales.
As science becomes more and more marginalized, our crops increasingly become marginalized
And capital punishment is devolving into "toaster in a bathtub" territory as states try to get creative as approved drugs become scarce. Why not death by supertruck?
Science used to be respected and admired. Now it only draws attention if it means new features in consumer goods. Per Neil deGrasse-Tyson, we push science aside at our own peril
The conversation that needs to happen — here it is: you have conservatives and liberals in a room, people with power, let’s say they are representatives or senators. They shake hands and say, “ok humans are changing the climate of this planet, this is the consensus of scientific experiments being conducted, what policy and legislation should we debate in the face of the information?”
The Republican is thinking different suggestions from the Democrat, and that is the healthy political conversation that should unfold. Should there be carbon credits or not? Should there be trade regulations or not? Should we invest in solar panels rather than clean coal?
That would be a fruitful debate that could be held in the political arena. But the moment the politicians start saying they are in denial of what the scientists are telling them, of what the consensus of scientific experiments demonstrates, that is the beginning of the end of an informed democracy.
And the end of an informed democracy is the beginning of a very real Idiocracy.
Comments:
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Comment by 
Raine on 04/22/2015 12:13:02
Good morning. I'd like to go back to bed now. This blog is darkly hilarious and sad.
Raine on 04/22/2015 12:13:02
Good morning. I'd like to go back to bed now. This blog is darkly hilarious and sad.
Comment by 
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 12:41:00
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 12:41:00
Indeed it is. Idiocracy was on the cable mosheen last week. I couldn't watch all of it. The movie makes me kind of sad these days.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 12:42:12
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 12:42:12
Comment by Raine on 04/22/2015 12:51:10
me too. That is really a shame…
Raine on 04/22/2015 12:51:10
Quote by Mondobubba:
Indeed it is. Idiocracy was on the cable mosheen last week. I couldn't watch all of it. The movie makes me kind of sad these days.
me too. That is really a shame…
Comment by 
wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:02:10
wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:02:10
Morning 
Comment by wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:03:58
Never seen it - don't plan on it. Don't need any help sliding into depression, can do that all on my own.
wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:03:58
Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Indeed it is. Idiocracy was on the cable mosheen last week. I couldn't watch all of it. The movie makes me kind of sad these days.
me too. That is really a shame…
Never seen it - don't plan on it. Don't need any help sliding into depression, can do that all on my own.
Comment by 
Scoopster on 04/22/2015 13:13:04
Scoopster on 04/22/2015 13:13:04
Mornin' all! 
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 13:18:37
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 13:18:37
Comment by 
BobR on 04/22/2015 13:32:07
It's worth watching. It's hilarious and disturbing and offensive and thought-provoking. There are also plot holes a mile wide, but you just have to overlook them.
BobR on 04/22/2015 13:32:07
Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Indeed it is. Idiocracy was on the cable mosheen last week. I couldn't watch all of it. The movie makes me kind of sad these days.
me too. That is really a shame…
Never seen it - don't plan on it. Don't need any help sliding into depression, can do that all on my own.
It's worth watching. It's hilarious and disturbing and offensive and thought-provoking. There are also plot holes a mile wide, but you just have to overlook them.
Comment by wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:36:17
peshaw - I watched LOST for its whole run - think I can deal with plot holes
wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:36:17
Quote by BobR:Quote by wickedpam:Quote by Raine:Quote by Mondobubba:
Indeed it is. Idiocracy was on the cable mosheen last week. I couldn't watch all of it. The movie makes me kind of sad these days.
me too. That is really a shame…
Never seen it - don't plan on it. Don't need any help sliding into depression, can do that all on my own.
It's worth watching. It's hilarious and disturbing and offensive and thought-provoking. There are also plot holes a mile wide, but you just have to overlook them.
peshaw - I watched LOST for its whole run - think I can deal with plot holes
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 13:37:49
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 13:37:49
Comment by BobR on 04/22/2015 13:46:49
I'm a Honey Badger - I just don't give a shit.
The question about "what do you look for in a mate" was pretty funny
BobR on 04/22/2015 13:46:49
Quote by Mondobubba:
Google's doodle includes a Buzzfeed style quiz. "What animal are you?"
I am a pangolin
I'm a Honey Badger - I just don't give a shit.
The question about "what do you look for in a mate" was pretty funny
Comment by wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:49:13
I'm a honey bee
wickedpam on 04/22/2015 13:49:13
Quote by BobR:Quote by Mondobubba:
Google's doodle includes a Buzzfeed style quiz. "What animal are you?"
I am a pangolin
I'm a Honey Badger - I just don't give a shit.
The question about "what do you look for in a mate" was pretty funny
I'm a honey bee
Comment by 
TriSec on 04/22/2015 14:07:19
TriSec on 04/22/2015 14:07:19
Greetings, comrades! Trisec back in Mass, sitting at his desk. yahoo.
Western NY sure has some amazing mud. And what on earth are 'chicken riggies'??
Western NY sure has some amazing mud. And what on earth are 'chicken riggies'??
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 14:12:27
Tri, let me Google that for you.
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 14:12:27
Quote by TriSec:
Greetings, comrades! Trisec back in Mass, sitting at his desk. yahoo.
Western NY sure has some amazing mud. And what on earth are 'chicken riggies'??
Tri, let me Google that for you.
Chicken riggies or Utica riggies is an Italian-American pasta dish native to the Utica-Rome area of New York State. It is a pasta-based dish usually consisting of chicken, rigatoni and hot or sweet peppers in a spicy cream and tomato sauce, although many variations exist.
Comment by TriSec on 04/22/2015 14:47:56
TriSec on 04/22/2015 14:47:56
Now you're being suppressive and glib.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 15:11:42
Moi? Nope. I am just being an asshole.
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 15:11:42
Quote by TriSec:
Now you're being suppressive and glib.
Moi? Nope. I am just being an asshole.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 15:14:58
I think the same could be said of Eastern South Dakota in the dead of winter.
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 15:14:58
Quote by Raine:
minumum expectations much, South Dakota?
On Mars, the air isn't breathable and the surface is "cold and barren."
I think the same could be said of Eastern South Dakota in the dead of winter.
Comment by Raine on 04/22/2015 16:35:31
Raine on 04/22/2015 16:35:31
COOKING AND GARDENING TODAY! BUSY BUSY BUSY!
Comment by 
livingonli on 04/22/2015 18:39:03
This is where we need our former blogger from South Dakota to inject a comment.
livingonli on 04/22/2015 18:39:03
Quote by Mondobubba:Quote by Raine:
minumum expectations much, South Dakota?On Mars, the air isn't breathable and the surface is "cold and barren."
I think the same could be said of Eastern South Dakota in the dead of winter.
This is where we need our former blogger from South Dakota to inject a comment.
Comment by Scoopster on 04/22/2015 19:38:18
Scoopster on 04/22/2015 19:38:18
You can thank me later. 
Comment by Raine on 04/22/2015 20:01:05
OMG.
I needed this today.
Raine on 04/22/2015 20:01:05
Quote by Scoopster:
You can thank me later.
OMG.
I needed this today.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 20:40:50
Fun Christopher Walken fact: When he. gets. a script. He removes all the punctuation.
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 20:40:50
Quote by Scoopster:
You can thank me later.
Fun Christopher Walken fact: When he. gets. a script. He removes all the punctuation.
Comment by Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 20:43:57
Did you know that John Turturro does an amazing Walken impression? I heard it on NPR's "Tell Me Another."
Mondobubba on 04/22/2015 20:43:57
Quote by Raine:Quote by Scoopster:
You can thank me later.
OMG.
I needed this today.
Did you know that John Turturro does an amazing Walken impression? I heard it on NPR's "Tell Me Another."