Dystopia Blog Trevor Coopersmith 4/28/13

The primary dystopia text I selected is the movie Idiocracy. Mike Judge wrote and directed this sci-fi comedy which gives a new meaning to the expression "people are getting dumber all the time." In 2005, Joe Bowers  is a soldier who was chosen to take part in a secret military scientific experiment. The expirement consisted of which he will be put into hibernation for one year, along with a woman named Rita, another main character. Bowers and Rita are forgotten when the military base where the experiment took place is closed down, and when they wake up in the year 2505, Bowers finds himself living in a society where intelligence has taken such a downfall that he's now the smartest man in the world.The specific features that make Idiocracy a dystopia is that it is a critique of American society currently in multiple ways. A professional wrestler is president, plants are watered with gatorade, and starbucks sells prostitutes. Idiocracy attacks consumerism, immortality with women, and sensationalism in politics. Idiocracy is another world used to point out flaws and compare society to others. Idiocracy is exaggerating the fact that many Americans believe everything they are told. Potential theoretical approaches include Feminism due to the mocking of women sexuality rights in the film and a Marxist approach due to the constant economic downfall and roles of people in society. So far I found a review of the movie Idiocracy by Sheri Linden. "Idiocracy" is hardly flawless; much like "Office Space," it delivers a socko premise but can't quite sustain the edge, lapsing into formulaic storytelling that dulls the payoff." I will continue to look for more scholarly sources and watch the movie again before I write the paper.