Predicting Problems Via Pop Culture

Things appear rather bleak when watching movies and TV.

If you’re the type that takes things a little too seriously when watching movies or TV you might think that the world is about to go crazy at any moment. The depiction of riots, revolutions, and overall violence caused by differing ideas of how things should be continue to be depicted on the big and small screens to the delight of fans. But some ideas do tend to hit home with a lot of people since they come straight from history and they remain pertinent to this day. A lot of people are bound to laugh this stuff off and think that nothing of this magnitude could possibly happen. Of course, 2020 is hard to forget since it wasn’t all that long ago, and it brought up a lot of bad memories from the actual past.

The point however is that art is made to imitate life sometimes, and at others, it is a little more predictive than some might believe, and could end up influencing those that want to make a change, no matter what it might cost. That sounds a little too dramatic, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it does sound like the kind of message that many might take to heart. It’s been seen more than once that people will look to history when it comes to changing things they feel need a change, but they’ll also take their direction from historical film and TV that, sadly, falls short of the mark of real history. In other words, retconning history to fuel their ideas is not beyond some folks, as it stokes the personal fires they feel and pushes them to accomplish their goals even if the revolutionist ideas that they espouse tend to be based on a very well-acted role in a movie. That’s all kinds of sad, and kind of terrifying to be sure.

If a person was to give into their own paranoia they might feel that the goal of Hollywood was to be as subversive as possible and slowly but surely slip the idea into the minds of the people that fighting back against our government whenever the mood strikes them is the ultimate goal. Well, to be fair:

standing against the government when they’re acting like a bunch of blind dogs chasing an imaginary bone does sound like something that might be necessary, but if Hollywood is really stirring people up on purpose then one can honestly think that they would have been called on it at this point…yeah, far-fetched, right?

Leaders with different ideals make for great cinema.

One thing that’s needed for legitimate government, a revolution, or anything that seeks to rise as a recognized group, is a leader. It might be one person, it might be a group or a collective, but as it’s been seen in cinema, unless there’s a solid leader role that’s taken on by one or more individuals, then the ball of wax falls apart the first time the heat is applied. Strong leaders in movies that pit one group against each other tend to be those that will force others to bend to their will quite often since like it or not, they know how to walk through the fire and take the heat for those that will follow them. Even worse, the truly charismatic can get their followers to come with them and convince every last one of them that burning is worth it since their cause will continue to push forward even after the loyal foot soldiers have been forced to give up everything. It sounds like something that would be featured in a screenplay that’s more idealistic than realistic, right? Well, take a look at the history books, those are screenplays that are still being written, and plenty of people are still willing to burn for their ideas.

Confusion and disorder are powerful weapons when one knows how to use them.

If a group of like-minded individuals can find a way to confuse, discombobulate and anger their opponent, then they’ve made a significant step forward, and that line in the sand will get trampled very quickly. Some might call it gaslighting, some might call it something else, but the point is, if your enemy, political or otherwise, can sow confusion, fear, and even anger simply by sticking to their guns and making their point felt, then the opposition will find it difficult to stamp them out, or even find them at times if the opposition is smart enough to keep from tipping their hand too much. Far too many movies have used this tactic since it’s one of the most insidious and one of those that can confound even the most tactically-minded individuals who pride themselves on their intelligence.

When you can gather together in numbers and keep your real goal from the opposition, and drive them crazy in the process by doing what appears to amount to nothing, then the battle becomes easier to win. That’s one of the scariest parts really.

Creating symbols to rally behind is a dangerous step.

As the caption states, people don’t like thinking that they’re just sheep who will follow the actions of the mob and cling to any single character or governing body that will tell them which way to go. And yet, look at what happens in the movies, and in reality. People will bleat out whatever those in power want them to so long as they’re willing to conform to the beliefs that others are clinging to. In some cases it’s safety in numbers since being made an outcast within the mob is rarely a safe choice, but in other cases it’s because the sad fact is that a lot of people do want to be told what to do, as they might not have the same qualities that the outcasts, their leaders, possess. It’s a sad commentary on life, isn’t it? But as it’s depicted in the movies, people will follow those that have the loudest voice and who espouse the same ideals that they want to believe in, or at least feel shielded by so that they’re not cast out of the group.

Running against the current breaks a lot of people, especially since if you don’t have allies in the movies, or in real life, then you run the risk of making way too many enemies.

Thinking, rational-minded people can’t often stand against the mob.

This is as true in the movies as it is in real life, since a lot of times it comes down to an ‘us vs. them’ mentality that doesn’t always make sense, but becomes the guiding principle behind the way people deal with each other. It’s saddening to admit it, but people will destroy each other over their differences if given the chance, and that’s been proven more than once throughout history. In the movies, it’s art imitating life, as life imitating art does happen, but not quite as frequently. The trouble with this, in either sense, is that people let go of their rational and higher level of thinking and simply go with the flow, which isn’t that bad at times when it involves everyone just getting along and making this strange existence we call life work for as many as we can.

But going with the flow of a mob is like jumping into a lava flow and going along with, there’s nothing but destruction and chaos that’s bound to be left in the wake. Sure, eventually something might come of it that might be positive, but in the interim, those that suffer are going to wonder what in the hell could have been done to prevent this stupid, destructive shit.

Out of chaos comes the worst type of order.

So yes, New Jack City is a very extreme case since it’s fair to say that the US government would have likely stepped in and erased Nino Brown…or would they? There are simply too many conspiracies out there to sort through this kind of idea, especially with the Occupy movements that occurred, and the CHOP, or CHAZ, whatever the hell it was really called in Seattle a couple years ago. Where was the government then, eh? We could sit around all day stating that the current occurrences we’ve seen are what happens when those with their own ideals go to war with those that have been set for decades or centuries. The point here is that with every struggle, every revolution, and every possible conflict that has, is, or will ever happen, there’s someone behind the push that is seeking to justify their own desire to be on top of the heap when the dust settles.

Like it or not, greed often plays more of a factor than the desire to do something right. Sure, a lot of human beings do want to make a difference and they want to make life better according to what they feel is right. But human nature is tough to get away from.

The imitation game is strong in Hollywood.

Sure, actors in Hollywood are just playing a role, right? But how firmly do they believe in that role and what it represents? Once again, it sounds like a lot of paranoia, but it also sounds like something that might have a bit of sense attached to it. The whole idea of art imitating life is very real, but one has to wonder where the line is drawn, or if it continues to shift as people find that their beliefs are continually influenced by what they see, hear, and even experience. Cinema and TV tend to seep into the hearts and minds of the people in a very effective and sometimes and insidious way, but the point is that the messages that are put out, intentional or not, are picked up in a number of ways. Some of those are fairly common and not at all negative. But others, huh boy, others are a bit ridiculous when it comes to how truly terrifying they are.

WTR? (Why’s That Radass?)

There’s no desire to stir up any added paranoia when discussing what Hollywood is pushing, but there is a need to watch and understand at times. Art imitating life is all well and good since the lot of us do enjoy a great movie. But when fiction starts to slide its way into the hearts and minds of the people and becomes a great idea instead of just a great story…yeah, then it’s time to adjust one’s thinking and be wary.