Photo by Brian McGowan on Unsplash
Mr. Matthew Salesses raises some interesting points in his Catapult blog, “On Worldbuilding and the Question of Resistance” (January 19, 2021). The original can be round here: https://catapult.co/stories/matthew-salesses-craft-worldbuilding-the-question-of-resistance
Central to the post is whether reading dystopian novels or watching dystopian movies, where we see the hero win, models a behavior of resistance people then follow in real life.
His observation of himself and others says ‘no,’ usually. The reason why? Because in the movie and books, the hero or heroine WINS. The issue is resolved. There is nothing left to fight.
Why usually, because in some stories, the protagonist rebelling against the system does lose. Those stories leave the consumer of the story angry, hurt, and scared. They see the issue, often an issue they face in real life, and it isn’t solved.
Instead of making people want to start a revolution, American dystopian stories say just wait for the Chosen One to rise and all will be resolved.
Guess what. That is fiction.
If you read non-fiction, dystopian isn’t solved by one person but groups of people acting in concert as scientists and leaders. Against fascists, lines must be drawn in concrete (not sand) and armies raised when they even poke their toe beyond their area allowed by their rights.
Voting is happening in about a month. Do the research. Figure out who is wanting an Empire, who is supporting a dystopia, who is naming people “acceptable humans” and “undesirable animals”.
Humans are humans. Acting together global humanity stopped air pollution and the ozone hole, and together we through treaties and unity can stop water pollution and climate change. And for the Americans out there – we have no king. We have a president.
Our story hasn’t finished. It isn’t a neat little happy ending. Rebel against tyrants. Vote.