Difference between revisions of "Dystopia"

 
(23 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 3: Line 3:
 
A dystopian society may also be imagined as a society where a ruling elite controls the vast majority of wealth and political power while simultaneously disseminating [[propaganda]] to the masses to control the lower and middle classes. This ruling elite may be seen as propagating misinformation in order to socially control the citizens. This propaganda is usually revealed in such a manner that the elite are the caretakers and providers of the lower middle class.  
 
A dystopian society may also be imagined as a society where a ruling elite controls the vast majority of wealth and political power while simultaneously disseminating [[propaganda]] to the masses to control the lower and middle classes. This ruling elite may be seen as propagating misinformation in order to socially control the citizens. This propaganda is usually revealed in such a manner that the elite are the caretakers and providers of the lower middle class.  
  
−
In many [[fiction]]al depictions of dystopian societies, the propaganda—which would be disseminated by an overwhelmingly powerful government (Big Brother) or a totalitarian cabal—would psychologically force the lower classes to believe that they are living in a utopia that represents the culmination and perfection of civilization, where in actuality, crime and bureaucratic corruption are widespread.  Typically, a dystopian [[novel]] is intended to comment on what the author perceives to be then current social trends by extrapolating those trends.  Sometimes, as with ''[[Animal Farm]],'' the dystopia is presented in the form of an [[allegory]] to get past the [[censor]]s.
+
In many [[fiction]]al depictions of dystopian societies, the propaganda—which would be disseminated by an overwhelmingly powerful government (Big Brother) or a totalitarian cabal—would psychologically force the lower classes to believe that they are living in a utopia that represents the culmination and perfection of civilization, where in actuality, crime and bureaucratic corruption are widespread.  Typically, a dystopian [[novel]] is intended to comment on what the author perceives to be then current social trends by extrapolating those trends.  Sometimes, as with ''[[Animal Farm]],'' the dystopia is presented in the form of an [[allegory]] to get past the [[censor]]s and [[liberal media]]. In some stories, however, the dystopia is generally depicted rather openly as a dystopia, often with the ruling members making absolutely no secret of how they intended to butcher their own subjects simply for their own amusement and actively seek to make the bad events even worse, with motivations including nihilism and truly enjoying the carnage, with some even advocating for absolute lawlessness and anarchy even when in charge. Examples of this interpretation of dystopia include ''Final Fantasy VI'' with the main villain Kefka Palazzo, in particular during the game's second act, as well as the graphic novel ''Transmetropolitan'', where the main villain, The Smiler, proceeded upon becoming President to create damaging policies for America to have bits of it crumbling off, with his freely admitting during the election that he intended to destroy America upon getting elected.
  
 
==Dystopia in fiction==
 
==Dystopia in fiction==
−
In the 20th and late 19th century, many well-known dystopian novels were written. Among these are:
+
In the 20th and late 19th century, many well-known dystopian novels were written. This theme has continued into the 21st century as well. Among these are:
  
 
*''[[The Iron Heel]]''
 
*''[[The Iron Heel]]''
Line 14: Line 14:
 
*''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]''
 
*''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]''
 
*''[[Fahrenheit 451]]''
 
*''[[Fahrenheit 451]]''
 +
*''[[The Hunger Games]]''
  
−
 
+
==Broad List of Survivalist-Dystopian-Survival-Apocalypse-SHTF-Zombie Books-Films-TV-Video Games-Comic Books==
−
==Broad List of Survivalist-Dystopian-Survival-Apocalypse-SHTF-Zombie Books-Films-TV==
+
* ''The 100'' (TV series)
−
* [[The 100 (TV series)]]
+
* ''12 Monkeys'' (Film), 1995; (TV Series), 2015-Current
−
* [[12 Monkeys]] (Film), 1995, 2015 (TV Series)
+
* ''28 Days Later'', 2002
−
* [[28 Days Later]], 2002
+
* ''28 Weeks Later'', 2007
−
* [[28 Weeks Later]], 2007
+
* ''After War Gundam X'', 1996
−
* [[After War Gundam X]], 1996
+
* ''[[Akira]]'' (Manga Series), 1982–1990, 1988 (Film)
−
* [[Akira]] (Manga Series), 1982-1990, 1988 (Film)
+
* ''Alas, Babylon'' by Pat Frank. A classic [[nuclear|nuke]] scenario. This book was a key influence in [[James Wesley Rawles]] writing and it was his inspiration to write “[[Patriots Novels Series|Patriots]]” in a similar style
−
* [[Alas, Babylon]] by [[Pat Frank]]. A classic [[nuclear|nuke]] scenario. This book was a key influence in [[James Wesley Rawles]] writing and it was his inspiration to write “[[Patriots Novels Series|Patriots]]” in a similar style
+
* ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]''
−
* [[Atlas Shrugged]]
+
* ''Back to the Future: Part II'', 1989
−
* [[Back to the Future: Part II]], 1989
+
* ''Batman: The Dark Knight Returns'', 1986 (Comic Book Miniseries)
−
* [[Batman: The Dark Knight Returns]]
+
* ''[[Battlestar Galactica‎]]'', 1978-1979 (Original Series); 2003-2009 (Reimagined Series)
−
* [[Battlestar Galactica‎]]
+
* ''Blade Runner'', 1982
−
* [[Blade Runner]]
+
* ''The Book of Eli'', 2010
−
* [[The Book of Eli]], 2010
+
* ''Brave New World''
−
* [[Brave New World]]
+
* ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', 1997-2003 (TV Series)
−
* [[Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]
+
* ''Chrono Trigger'', Video Game (1995)
−
* [[Cast Away]], 2000
+
* ''Civil War'' (2024)
−
* [[A Clockwork Orange]]
+
* ''[[A Clockwork Orange]]'', 1971
−
* [[The Colony (TV series)]]
+
* ''The Colony'' (TV series)
−
* [[Deliverance]], 1972
+
* ''Cyberpunk 2077'' (2020) (Video Game)
−
* [[Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks]], 1993
+
* ''Dark City'', 1998
−
* [[Dredd]], 2012
+
* ''Deliverance'', 1972
−
* [[Dr. Strangelove]] by Peter George and [[Stanley Kubrick]] (1964)
+
* ''Dragon Ball Z: The History of Trunks'', 1993
−
* [[Earth Abides]] by George Stewart
+
* ''Dredd'', 2012
−
* [[Elysium]]
+
* ''Dr. Strangelove'' by Peter George and Stanley Kubrick (1964)
−
* [[Enemies Foreign and Domestic]] by [[Matthew Bracken]]
+
* ''Earth Abides'' by George Stewart
−
* [[Escape from New York]], 1981
+
* ''Elysium'', 2013
−
* [[Escape from L.A.]], 1996
+
* ''Enemies Foreign and Domestic'' by Matthew Bracken
−
* [[Fahrenheit 451]]
+
* ''Escape from New York'', 1981
−
* [[Falling Skies]]
+
* ''Escape from L.A.'', 1996
−
* [[Fallout]] (Video Game Series), 1997-2015
+
* ''Fahrenheit 451''
−
* [[Firefly (TV series)]]
+
* ''Falling Skies''
−
* [[The Flight of the Phoenix]], 1965 with [[James Stewart]]
+
* ''Fallout'' (Video Game Series), 1997-2015
−
* [[The Handmaid's Tale]]
+
* ''Firefly'' (TV series), 2002
−
* [[The Hunger Games]], 2008
+
* ''The Flight of the Phoenix'', 1965 with [[James Stewart]]; 2004 (Remake)
−
* [[The Giver]], 1993 novel by Lois Lowry, 2014 film with [[Jeff Bridges]]
+
* ''Final Fantasy II'' (1988)
−
* [[The Grey]], 2011, with [[Liam Neeson]]
+
* ''Final Fantasy VI'' (1994)
−
* [[I Am Legend]], 1954 by [[Richard Matheson]], 2007 film with [[Will Smith]]
+
* ''Final Fantasy VII'' (1997)
−
* [[Into the Wild]], 2007
+
* ''[[The Handmaid's Tale]]''
−
* [[Jericho (TV series)]]
+
* ''Highlander II: The Quickening'', 1991
−
* [[Jeremiah (TV series)]]
+
* ''[[The Hunger Games]]'', 2008
−
* [[Judge Dredd]] 1995
+
* ''[[The Giver]]'', 1993 novel by Lois Lowry, 2014 film with Jeff Bridges
−
* [[La Jetee]], 1962 (Inspired the Terry Gilliam film, 12 Monkeys.)
+
* ''[[The Grey]]'', 2011, with [[Liam Neeson]]
−
* [[The Last Man on Earth]], or [[The Last Man on Earth]], 1964 [[Italian]] film with [[Vincent Price]]
+
* ''[[I Am Legend]]'', 1954 by [[Richard Matheson]], 2007 film with [[Will Smith]]
−
* [[The Last of Us]], (Video Game, 2013)
+
* ''[[Into the Wild]]'', 2007
−
* [[Left Behind]], 1995 to 2007 by [[Tim LaHaye]]
+
* ''[[Jericho (TV series)]]''
−
* [[Life of Pi]], 2012
+
* ''[[Jeremiah (TV series)]]''
−
* [[Lifeboat]], 1944
+
* ''[[Judge Dredd]]'' 1995
−
* [[Lights Out]] by [[David Crawford]] (Post-[[EMP]] attack.)  
+
* ''La Jetée'' (short film), 1962
−
* [[Logan's Run]]
+
* ''[[The Last Man on Earth]]'', 1964 [[Italian]] film with [[Vincent Price]]
−
* [[Lucifer's Hammer]], 1977 by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
+
* ''The Last of Us'' (Video Game), 2013
−
* [[Mad Max]] 1979
+
* ''[[Left Behind]]'', 1995 to 2007 by [[Tim LaHaye]]
−
* [[Mad Max 2]] 1981 (Also called ''The Road Warrior'')
+
* ''[[Life of Pi]]'', 2012
−
* [[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]] 1985
+
* ''[[Lifeboat]]'', 1944
−
* [[Max Max: Fury Road]] 2015
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past'' (1991)
−
* [[The Matrix]], 1999, 2003
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time'' (1998)
−
* [[Molon Labe!]] by [[Boston T. Party]]
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask'' (2000)
−
* [[Minority Report]]
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker'' (2003)
−
* [[Night of the Living Dead]], 1968 by [[George A. Romero]]
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'' (2017)
−
* [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]] ([[1984]])
+
* ''The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom'' (2023)
−
* [[One Second After]], 2009 by [[William R. Forstchen]]
+
* ''[[Lights Out]]'' by [[David Crawford]] (Post-[[EMP]] attack.)  
−
* [[Outbreak (film)]], 1995 with  [[Dustin Hoffman]], [[Morgan Freeman]], [[Kevin Spacey]], [[Donald Sutherland]]
+
* ''Logan'' (film), 2017
−
* [[Open Water]], 2003
+
* ''[[Logan's Run]]''
 +
* ''[[Lucifer's Hammer]]'', 1977 by Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
 +
* ''[[Mad Max]]'', 1979 [[Australia]]n film with [[Mel Gibson]], and its sequels:
 +
** ''[[Mad Max 2]]'', 1981 (Also called ''The Road Warrior'' for North American release)
 +
** ''[[Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome]]'', 1985
 +
** ''[[Max Max: Fury Road]]'', 2015 film with Tom Hardy and Charlize Theron
 +
* ''[[The Matrix]]'', 1999, 2003
 +
* ''[[Molon Labe!]]'' by [[Boston T. Party]]
 +
* ''[[Minority Report]]''
 +
* ''[[Night of the Living Dead]]'', 1968 by [[George A. Romero]]
 +
* ''[[Nineteen Eighty-Four]]'' ([[1984]])
 +
* ''[[One Second After]]'', 2009 by [[William R. Forstchen]]
 +
* ''[[Outbreak (film)]]'', 1995 with  [[Dustin Hoffman]], [[Morgan Freeman]], [[Kevin Spacey]], [[Donald Sutherland]]
 +
* ''[[Open Water]]'', 2003
 
* [[Patriots Novels Series]] by [[James Wesley Rawles]]
 
* [[Patriots Novels Series]] by [[James Wesley Rawles]]
−
** [[Survivors - A Novel of the Coming Collapse]]
+
** ''[[Survivors - A Novel of the Coming Collapse]]''
−
** [[Founders - A Novel of the Coming Collapse]]
+
** ''[[Founders - A Novel of the Coming Collapse]]''
−
** [[Expatriates - A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse]]
+
** ''[[Expatriates - A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse]]''
−
** [[Liberators - A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse]]
+
** ''[[Liberators - A Novel of the Coming Global Collapse]]''
−
* [[Panic in Year Zero!]], 1962 with [[Ray Milland]]
+
* ''[[Panic in Year Zero!]]'', 1962 with [[Ray Milland]]
−
* [[Planet of the Apes]] 1968 by Pierre Boulle
+
* ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' 1968 by Pierre Boulle
−
* [[Power Rangers]] RPM, 2009
+
* ''[[Power Rangers]] RPM'' (2009)
−
* [[Some Will Not Die]] by Algis Budrys ([[Plague]] total wipe-out scenario. This book was another with an influence in [[James Wesley Rawles]] writing.)
+
* ''[[Some Will Not Die]]'' by Algis Budrys ([[Plague]] total wipe-out scenario. This book was another with an influence in [[James Wesley Rawles]] writing.)
−
* [[The Omega Man]], 1971
+
* ''[[The Omega Man]]'', 1971
−
* [[The Omen]]
+
* ''[[The Omen]]''
−
* [[The Poseidon Adventure]], 1972 with [[Gene Hackman]] and Ernest Borgnine
+
* ''[[The Poseidon Adventure]]'', 1972 with [[Gene Hackman]] and Ernest Borgnine
−
* [[The Postman]], 1997
+
* ''[[The Postman]]'', 1997
−
* [[The Purge]]
+
* ''[[The Purge]]''
−
* [[Rescue Dawn]], 2006 by [[Werner Herzog]] with [[Christian Bale]]
+
* ''[[Rescue Dawn]]'', 2006 by [[Werner Herzog]] with [[Christian Bale]]
−
* [[Resident Evil]] (VIdeo Game) 1996-Current (Called Biohazard in Japan)
+
* ''[[Resident Evil]]'' (Video Game Series) 1996-2017 (Called ''Biohazard'' in Japan)
−
* [[Resident Evil]], 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012 with [[Milla Jovovich]]
+
* ''[[Resident Evil]]'', 2002, 2007, 2010, 2012 with [[Milla Jovovich]]
−
* [[Robinson Crusoe]], 1719 by [[Daniel Defoe]], 1954 and 1997 film with [[Pierce Brosnan]]
+
* ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]'', 1719 by [[Daniel Defoe]], 1954 and 1997 film with [[Pierce Brosnan]]
−
* [[RoboCop]] 1987
+
* ''[[RoboCop]]'', 1987
−
* [[The Running Man]]
+
* ''[[The Running Man]]'', 1982 novel written by [[Stephen King]] (as Richard Bachman), 1987 film with [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]], Richard Dawson and [[Jesse Ventura]]
−
* [[Serenity (film)|Serenity]]
+
* ''[[Serenity (film)|Serenity]]''
−
* [[Silent Running]]
+
* ''[[Silent Running]]''
−
* [[Soylent Green]]
+
* ''[[Soylent Green]]''
−
* [[Stagecoach (film)|Stagecoach]], 1939
+
* ''[[Stagecoach (film)|Stagecoach]]'', 1939
−
* [[Star Trek: First Contact]], 1996
+
* ''[[Star Trek: First Contact]]'', 1996
−
* [[The Stand (TV series)]], 1994 by [[Stephen King]], starring [[Gary Sinise]] and [[Rob Lowe]]
+
* ''[[The Stand (TV series)]]'', 1994 by [[Stephen King]], starring [[Gary Sinise]], [[Rob Lowe]], Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee and Jamey Sheridan
−
* [[Swiss Family Robinson]], 1960, based on 1812 novel by Johann David Wyss
+
* ''[[Swiss Family Robinson]]'', 1960, based on 1812 novel by Johann David Wyss
−
* [[The Road]] by [[Cormac McCarthy]], 2006, 2009 film with [[Viggo Mortensen]]
+
* ''[[The Road]]'' by [[Cormac McCarthy]], 2006, 2009 film with [[Viggo Mortensen]]
−
* [[The Terminator]] 1984
+
* ''[[The Terminator]]'', 1984 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda Hamilton, and its sequels:
−
* [[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]] 1991
+
** ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]'', 1991 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Norton and Robert Patrick
−
* [[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]] 2003
+
** ''[[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]]'', 2003 film with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Nick Stahl, Claire Danes and Kristianna Loken
−
* [[Terminator Salvation]] 2009
+
** ''[[Terminator Salvation]]'', 2009
−
* [[Terminator Genisys]] 2015
+
** ''[[Terminator Genisys]]'', 2015
−
* [[Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles]] 2008-2009
+
** ''[[Terminator: Dark Fate]]'', 2019
−
* [[THX 1138]]
+
** ''[[Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles]]'', 2008-2009 TV series
−
* [[The Time Machine]] by [[H. G. Wells]]
+
* ''[[THX 1138]]''
−
* [[The Tribe]], 1999-2003
+
* ''[[The Time Machine]]'' by [[H. G. Wells]]
−
* [[Total Recall]]
+
* ''The Tribe,'' 1999-2003
−
* [[V for Vendetta]]
+
* ''[[Total Recall]]''
−
* [[The Walking Dead]], 2010-2015
+
* ''[[Transmetropolitan]]'', 1997-2002
−
* [[WALL-E]]
+
* ''[[V for Vendetta]]''
−
* [[Watchmen]]
+
* ''[[The Walking Dead]]'', 2010-2015
−
* [[World War Z]], 2006 by Max Brooks, 2013 film with [[Brad Pitt]]
+
* ''[[WALL-E]]''
−
* [[X-Men: Days of Future Past]], 2014
+
* ''[[Watchmen]]''
 +
* ''Wolverine: Old Man Logan'' (Limited Comic Book Series), 2008-2009
 +
* ''[[World War Z]]'', 2006 by Max Brooks, 2013 film with [[Brad Pitt]]
 +
* ''[[X-Men: Days of Future Past]]'', 2014
  
−
== See Also ==
+
== See also ==
 
* [[Utopia]], the flipside of Dystopia.
 
* [[Utopia]], the flipside of Dystopia.
 
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]
 
* [[Big government]] [[Welfare state]] leads to [[Nanny state]], leads to [[Police state]]
 +
* [[Gleichschaltung]]
 
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
 
* [[Liberal totalitarianism]]
  
Line 132: Line 150:
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
{{reflist|2}}
  
−
[[Category : Survivalism]]
+
[[Category:Natural Disasters]]
−
[[Category : Natural Disasters]]
+
[[Category:Man-Made Disasters]]
−
[[Category : Man-Made Disasters]]
+
[[Category:Threats]]
−
[[Category : Threats]]
+
[[Category:Science Fiction]]
−
[[Category : Science Fiction]]
+
[[Category:Science Fiction Movies]]
−
[[Category : Science Fiction Movies]]
+
[[Category:Movies]]
−
[[Category : Movies]]
+
[[Category:Fiction]]
−
[[Category : Fiction]]
+
[[Category:Literary Genres]]
−
[[Category : Survivalist Fiction]]
+
[[Category:Literary Devices]]
−
[[Category : Literary Genres]]
+
[[Category:Dystopian Fiction]]
−
[[Category : Literary Devices]]
+
[[Category:Literature]]
−
[[Category : Dystopian Fiction]]
 
−
[[Category : Literature]]
 

Latest revision as of 14:46, April 22, 2024

A dystopian future is one where the social problems of today become greater in magnitude, producing a future that is filled with crime, war, and similar evils.

A dystopian society may also be imagined as a society where a ruling elite controls the vast majority of wealth and political power while simultaneously disseminating propaganda to the masses to control the lower and middle classes. This ruling elite may be seen as propagating misinformation in order to socially control the citizens. This propaganda is usually revealed in such a manner that the elite are the caretakers and providers of the lower middle class.

In many fictional depictions of dystopian societies, the propaganda—which would be disseminated by an overwhelmingly powerful government (Big Brother) or a totalitarian cabal—would psychologically force the lower classes to believe that they are living in a utopia that represents the culmination and perfection of civilization, where in actuality, crime and bureaucratic corruption are widespread. Typically, a dystopian novel is intended to comment on what the author perceives to be then current social trends by extrapolating those trends. Sometimes, as with Animal Farm, the dystopia is presented in the form of an allegory to get past the censors and liberal media. In some stories, however, the dystopia is generally depicted rather openly as a dystopia, often with the ruling members making absolutely no secret of how they intended to butcher their own subjects simply for their own amusement and actively seek to make the bad events even worse, with motivations including nihilism and truly enjoying the carnage, with some even advocating for absolute lawlessness and anarchy even when in charge. Examples of this interpretation of dystopia include Final Fantasy VI with the main villain Kefka Palazzo, in particular during the game's second act, as well as the graphic novel Transmetropolitan, where the main villain, The Smiler, proceeded upon becoming President to create damaging policies for America to have bits of it crumbling off, with his freely admitting during the election that he intended to destroy America upon getting elected.

Dystopia in fiction

In the 20th and late 19th century, many well-known dystopian novels were written. This theme has continued into the 21st century as well. Among these are:

Broad List of Survivalist-Dystopian-Survival-Apocalypse-SHTF-Zombie Books-Films-TV-Video Games-Comic Books

See also

References