Future Imperfect....

The future is closer than you think. I just finished “reading” the Hunger Games trilogy and find myself deeply disturbed. Well, more disturbed than usual at any rate.  For those of you who have not either seen the movie or read the books, it is a tale, set in a future world. A place formerly known as America which is now known as Panem. Panum is broken into 12 districts, each one producing one primary export. Very little of the products made, mined, or harvested, stays in its home district, but is sent to the Capital where it is supposed to be distributed equitably by the government. The Capital of course keeps the lion’s share of the goods and only disburses enough to the districts for meager survival. The Capital has an annual tradition where each district sends one boy and one girl “tribute” to fight to the death against the tributes from all of the other districts in an arena which spans many square miles.  About here I will stop giving away the story an recommend the books to my readers. They are a good read, but not what I would call “feel good” material.

The thing that disturbs me is how easily I can foresee something similar happening. Not within our lifetimes, but eventually. There are things on television now that were unheard of and would have never been tolerated 20 years ago.  20 years ago there were things aired that would have been criminal 40 years ago. The human need to “push the envelope” and go farther into the unbelievable simply for entertainment purposes is staggering. I remember being told that Bugs Bunny and Tom & Jerry were too violent and were going to damage our minds. Today our children watch full contact Mixed Martial Arts because the wrestling we watched as kids has been exposed as fake. Saturday Morning cartoons are a thing of the past. Today, the blood, gore and language of video games rivals any rated R movie from the 80’s. My question is, what happens when all of today’s entertainment get’s old? Where will Hollywood go to satisfy our bloodlust when MMA and CGI Graphics and theatrical blood fail to satisfy. I can see the degradation of society’s moral fiber resulting in some form of Gladiatorial Combat to entertain the masses and if our government needs to distract the populace of this country in a grandiose fashion, I have no doubt that they would sponsor something of the like. That of course addresses only the violence aspect. The sexuality on TV has become equally devastating. Especially to our youth, many of whom seem to view dating as an avenue to sex instead of the opportunity for two people to become better acquainted with each other. My teenage son said three words which terrified me a few months back. “Hump and dump” I am not raising a womanizer and I am sure he was just being the clown that he is known to be, but I was sure to express my displeasure.

I am probably way off base, but the world seems to be careening in an out of control hand basket to hell. I just say a prayer that things get better. If praying is not your thing then keep a positive thought and try to lean towards the good side because I don’t know how else one would steer a hand basket. – Be Blessed.