Has the movie “Idiocracy” become a documentary?

 The parallels between "Idiocracy" and real-life societal trends to the impact of social media, hate speech, and the consequences of anti-intellectualism.

I know it is a movie, but… in the peak of dystopian movies and shows, this is the one that scared me the most.

I don't want to get into the plot and the reasons why things end up that way, and I also don't want to speak ill of people in general, but in the movie, society has become dominated by those who lack any critical thinking skills and the most basic knowledge.

The government is shown as a total mess. The folks running things, including the elected officials and government workers, don't seem to have a clue about how to deal with the problems society faces. The rules and policies they come up with are not just useless, but they often make things even worse.

Now, and I mean today, we are letting TikTok play a big part in electors' behavior. There exists a correlation between the amount of time spent on TikTok and the voting behavior of young people. And here is the problem with that: TikTok, far from curbing hate speech, tolerates its proliferation. The far-right has found this platform a perfect ally to bypass the increasingly stringent filters of some media outlets and promote their ideologies. Social media platforms are private enterprises, and their financial outcomes depend on their impact. Hate speech becomes a tool for profitability, and TikTok takes confirmation biases to the extreme.

The economy in the movie is shown to be in a state of disarray. Industries and businesses are driven by short-term profit motives without regard for long-term sustainability. The workforce is unskilled and unmotivated, leading to economic stagnation and decline. It's a big warning sign about what happens when governments neglect education and workforce well-being.

In “Idiocracy” the most popular TV shows are crude and violent and advertising and marketing have become extraordinarily crass. Read me out: People on social media right now are already selling smoke in the form of affiliate marketing, cheap self-help, and half-baked advice. They're peddling empty promises and empty toxic positivity nonsense. I started checking out influencers in the middle tier, and what I noticed is they're mostly selling fluff. The dudes are all about shady crypto and diving into some weird cult-like stuff. As for the ladies, they tend to overshare their emotions, their families, and even their entire house in the background of their videos. They've got bills to pay; I totally get that. But they're getting dangerous.

The consequences of anti-intellectualism and the potential dangers of a society that values entertainment over education and critical thinking are certainly here. Flat earthers, the Anti-vaccine movement, the global neglect of education, climate change negationists, affiliate marketing, toxic positivity, social media, and hate speech.

Anti-intellectualism is on full display, where not only is intelligence disregarded, but those who appreciate knowledge and learning are openly mocked and ostracized. This attitude has serious implications: When intellectualism is belittled, it discourages innovation and stifles scientific progress. Curiosity and research are crucial for advancements in fields like technology and medicine.

A society that values anti-intellectualism is ill-prepared to tackle complex problems. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are essential for finding solutions to pressing issues, such as climate change and public health crises.

The movie portrays a world where mindless entertainment and commercialism take precedence over education. This shift leads to a decline in educational standards, disengagement in civic matters, economic stagnation, and a loss of cultural depth.

In 2006 was a wild exaggeration, but now, not that much. I recommend if you can, grab some electrolytes, watch it again, and cry.