NEW VIDEO: No, Idiocracy Is Not A Documentary
Hey all! After wrestling with soooo many copyright checks, I've finally got a ready version of this video for y'all. After having seen this 2000s film become part of our mainstream cultural lexicon, I wanted to revisit it with a more critical perspective. Here's an anticapitalist critique of Idiocracy and the general culture of smug talk show liberalism, a take on eugenicist rhetoric masking itself as progressive, and some good old fashioned film criticism. I hope you all enjoy!
Comments (17)
There is a shadowy force alluded to that built the "AI" systems we see in the film. That force has since disappeared by the time of Joe's arrival, leaving the "clockwork universe" we see in motion. That isn't handled in a substantive way, so it's fine to ignore. However, I think that hidden antagonist is how the filmmakers squared being unsympathetic to the inhabitants of the film. It resembles the WALL-E world, but is less deftly handled. I share the sentiment that the film is not as funny or relevant as its following asserts it is. To me, it's always been a one-trick pony and unsatisfying. The cleverest joke is that the police retain the odd, impersonal, pseudo-legalese way of speaking.
Sarah, is there any way you can give us access to the video outside of Youtube?
It's on Nebula!
Blocked on copyright grounds in the UK :(
I found your read of Stewart and Colbert interesting, and I wonder if part of it is being roughly 10 years older. Most of those in my age bracket at the time were incredibly apathy poisoned when it came to politics, and there was a lot of "what's the point, both sides are the same and terrible."(personally I think this was by design of those in power) While I can totally see how retrospectively they don't look like they are doing much, what I think was a import was they got younger voters engaged. In many ways that engagement was needed for us to get to the politically active ideas we see today. Looking back I think its once again an effect of by being more progressive compared to that which was around them the shows become incredibly 'of their time'. There isn't a call to action because first the audience had to be convinced to care.
For anyone with Nebula, it's watchable there.
Also can’t watch :(
😩 I was at work when it went up, and it had been taken down by the time I got home!
ah bummer :( Can't wait to watch this one when it's back up
& it got blocked again. That is unfortunate
I'm bummed that we can't watch the video.
I hate that I immediately knew who that unattributed tweet was from... Never, and I mean NEVER, put your faith in white dudes, no matter how smart and progressive they seem.
Oh, who was it?
Boo, fair use is not copyright infringement
Mike Judge is out there copywrite striking everyone pointing out that his movie is based on eugenics and racism.
Also, cheers for linking Shaun's video! It's one of my most watched videos, and of vital important to anyone that believes in "IQ." Fuck The Bell Curve and the caustic corrosion it caused to the public dialog.
Blocked on copyright grounds 😭🙄