Custom CMS block displayed at the left sidebar on the Catalog Page. Put your own content here: text, html, images, media... or whatever you like.
There are many similar sample content placeholders across the store. All editable from admin panel.
Future of Thought – Idiocracy Edition
byDr. Steph
30 May 2024
Idiocracy Revisited: The Danger of Blindly Trusting Authority
In a world inundated with information, it’s essential to question the narratives that shape our understanding of reality. Over the past few years, the movie “Idiocracy” has lingered in my thoughts, serving as a peculiar yet prescient lens through which we can examine the potential pitfalls of blind trust in authority. If you haven’t watched it, I encourage you to do so; it’s a strange and goofy film that eerily mirrors aspects of our society, acting as a predictive documentary of the future.
Watch the full video or continue reading below.
The Corporate Takeover:
In “Idiocracy,” the fictional Brawndo corporation openly buys the FDA, illustrating a scenario where corporate interests override public welfare. Today, we witness a more sophisticated and swift buyout of our so-called public agencies. The agencies meant to protect us may, upon deeper inspection, be functioning under the facade of public interest. Scientists from the CDC have expressed concerns about external influences shaping the agency’s mission, raising questions about the independence of vital public institutions. (1)
As Walter Langer said in his report – a psychological analysis of Adolf Hitler:
“People will believe a big lie sooner than a little one; and if you repeat it frequently enough people will sooner or later believe it.”(2)
The age-old concept of “follow the money” has taken a peculiar turn. Those who question financial interests are often labeled as “conspiracy theorists.” The reluctance to acknowledge the influence of financial incentives on decision-making is reminiscent of scenes from “Idiocracy,” where critical thinking is replaced with blind acceptance.
We’re told that the oil industry is the problem it’s just a big money making conglomerate that needs to be put in check once and for all. But the pharmaceutical companies who spends double on buying the government (and this is just what’s out in the open) Apparently this is not so greedy and should not something to be skeptical about.
Political ideologies that once criticized corporate greed now seem to defend specific corporate interests, especially in the medical system. This shift raises questions about the sincerity of intentions and highlights the irony within the landscape of evolving beliefs.
Trusting Science or Trusting Authorities?
The rise of scientism, coupled with slogans like “trust the science,” has transformed science into a quasi-religion. The distinction between trusting the scientific process and trusting those who talk about it becomes crucial. Dr. Jordan Grant’s insights into the religion of science shed light on the nuances that often go unnoticed. I highly encourage you to check out his work on science and pseudoscience (3).
We see many people talk about science as if they are talking about God, trust in God, trust in Science. It will save humanity. It’s no surprise how it’s become a full blown religion and replaced religion for many. I’ve often seen a hashtag on instagram #science is real as if again we’re talking about God. This science God is real! But that is indeed what good marketing programs result in, the captured leads become the avid advocates for the brand.
You must get them to fully believe in your product or program.
The power of marketing is evident in the way certain figures, like Anthony Fauci, become synonymous with science. Fauci’s assertion that criticizing him is equivalent to criticizing science underscores the dangers of such branding, potentially stifling dissenting voices.
With this kind of marketing, it doesn’t matter what is actually true does it it? These grand notions just seep into us little by little replacing any questions that might have been lingering or what we might have otherwise asked. It gives us the feel good notion that someone is out there fighting the good fight, fighting to protect us and our religions, the systems we think can save us.
Our ability to think critically is being systematically replaced by well-executed marketing campaigns. The carefully curated messages from various channels, including social media, gradually infiltrate our consciousness, shaping our beliefs and decisions.
Conclusions
In a world where thinking is crucial, it’s imperative to go beyond the script handed to us. “Idiocracy” serves as a stark reminder of what can happen when blind trust takes precedence over critical thinking. Let’s challenge ourselves to question, investigate, and think independently. The dangers of idly accepting information are real, and by actively engaging with our surroundings, we can avoid the dystopian future that “Idiocracy” warns us about.
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis.
Sample Paragraph Text
Praesent vestibulum congue tellus at fringilla. Curabitur vitae semper sem, eu convallis est. Cras felis nunc commodo eu convallis vitae interdum non nisl. Maecenas ac est sit amet augue pharetra convallis nec danos dui. Cras suscipit quam et turpis eleifend vitae malesuada magna congue. Damus id ullamcorper neque. Sed vitae mi a mi pretium aliquet ac sed elitos. Pellentesque nulla eros accumsan quis justo at tincidunt lobortis deli denimes, suspendisse vestibulum lectus in lectus volutpate.