I’m Mad As Hell…
In today’s time and age, hypocrisy tends to lead sheeple in and out of their daily lives. The American public follows world news with a sorrowful eye, proclaiming “oh the poor Iranians, good for them standing up to their corrupt government” and “damn that Kim Jong-Il and his oppressive regime in Korea.” It’s a pitiful state where people would sacrifice freedom for the sake of national security - Source. When we can no longer feed our children because entertainment is more important, living in dilapidated trailers while owning 52” plasma TVs and X-Box 360s, and people are more concerned about the affairs of foreign nations than the bullshit being propagated in their own country. If a country declares the United States an oppressor we look at that country as a rebel and nuisance, rather than address their legitimate concerns. We meddle, we fight, we disturb, we deform, we force westernization on countries that would be better off left alone, and we manipulate. And the “youth” are no more promising than the current “regime.” “Rebels” complain about the state of affairs in their blogs and YouTube videos (Yes, I realize I’m doing the same thing, bear with me) while scarfing down Taco Bell and McDonald’s and purchasing $150 dollar Nikes and converse sneakers and branding themselves with consumerism. Environmentalist and politically minded college students spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on educations that brainwash them into a false sense of activism, making them think they are making a difference and changing the world when really they are just promoting the same old ideas in new shiny packaging. Liberals and Conservatives are guilty of the same “crimes” as the system keeps degrading. The economy is sinking lower and lower while food and gas prices go up and up. Jobs become more and more scarce as the dollars value sinks and we do nothing to attempt to halt the crash. The revolutionaries of old are our CEOs of today, and todays revolutionaries think sitting at their computer will change the world.
Films like Zeitgeist (The Zeitgeist Movement) are noteworthy and valiant attempts to spread knowledge and fight the disease known as apathy, but it’s not enough. The movie Network is an amazing film, which while dated (1976) is still extremely relevant today. Watch this clip to get an idea of what I mean - “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.” If we sit back and watch the world go by, hoping it will change, we might as well be attempting to self-fellate. It’s useless and in the end we’re just screwing ourselves. Constant, vigilant action is necessary to make change. The film V for Vendetta, while a fictional story is a good example. But why do people always have to wait to be led? Why can’t they begin on their own. Must there always be an instigator, a scapegoat. If things go wrong do we need someone to blame? Why? Be accountable for your own actions, or be held accountable for your inaction.
“Living greener” and “promoting social awareness” isn’t going to change the world we live in. You can recycle all the cans you want and bike instead of drive, and donate to charities and be active in the socio-political world, but that’s not going to change things. The system has been in place for so long that working within the system is just going to corrupt the attempts to improve it. As the newest President of the USA has said, we need change. But much more change that I think he had in mind. It’s only matter of time before the system is defeated, or the system defeats us. Change must come… will the people watch it happen, or be the force behind it?
~Ian
