Today, The New York Times posted a short, light story discussing the differences between paper and e- books. The article featured a recent survey that showed the majority of teenagers interviewed preferred paper books. Studies like these, during the time our culture is transferring everything online, are fascinating in that they beg the discussion: Is new technology always better?
This is where dystopias come in. I am not going to answer the question of whether or not new technology is always better - I am merely going to tip my hat to Aldous Huxley, author of Brave New World, and the Wachowski brothers, creators/directors of The Matrix, both of which address the question of advancing technology beautifully.
Monday, December 2, 2013
Dystopias: On the Rise
Today, dystopias are on the rise.
The Walking Dead is the most-watched basic cable drama with 16.1 million viewers for its fourth (current) season premier. Nearly two million of these fans follow the show on Twitter.
Another dystopia, The Hunger Games, is one of Kindle’s top five all-time bestselling books, and the movie adaptation set records for the highest-grossing, non-sequel opening day, earning $67.3 million.
The Road won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was subsequently adapted for film.
Summit Entertainment bought media rights to Divergent and was given a budget of $80 million for a planned release in 2014.
As the numbers show, dystopias are wildly successful with today’s audience — and these audiences want more, or else they would have lost interest in these series. The Walking Dead’s audience grows with every season, with 5,400 viewers of the season one, 2010 pilot; 7300 viewers of the season two, 2011 premier; 11,000 viewers of the season three, 2012 premier; and 16,000 viewers of the season four, 2013 premier. Similarly, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire film adaptation was Fandango’s 2013 advance-ticket top seller, and the opening day grossed around $70.5 million, earning even more than The Hunger Games.
Dystopian audiences have grown massive, no longer just a small group interested in George Orwell’s 1984 (although they too are included). And as huge as dystopias are today, they are only growing in popularity.
The Walking Dead is the most-watched basic cable drama with 16.1 million viewers for its fourth (current) season premier. Nearly two million of these fans follow the show on Twitter.
Another dystopia, The Hunger Games, is one of Kindle’s top five all-time bestselling books, and the movie adaptation set records for the highest-grossing, non-sequel opening day, earning $67.3 million.
The Road won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and was subsequently adapted for film.
Summit Entertainment bought media rights to Divergent and was given a budget of $80 million for a planned release in 2014.
As the numbers show, dystopias are wildly successful with today’s audience — and these audiences want more, or else they would have lost interest in these series. The Walking Dead’s audience grows with every season, with 5,400 viewers of the season one, 2010 pilot; 7300 viewers of the season two, 2011 premier; 11,000 viewers of the season three, 2012 premier; and 16,000 viewers of the season four, 2013 premier. Similarly, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire film adaptation was Fandango’s 2013 advance-ticket top seller, and the opening day grossed around $70.5 million, earning even more than The Hunger Games.
Dystopian audiences have grown massive, no longer just a small group interested in George Orwell’s 1984 (although they too are included). And as huge as dystopias are today, they are only growing in popularity.
Sunday, December 1, 2013
More US Governmental Problems... Classic.
Of course, we have run into yet another governmental deadline: by Dec. 1, today, the problems with HealthCare.gov are supposed to be cleared up.
Good luck to us with that. Check out The New York Times' article, Sunday Breakfast Menu, which doesn't specify the details but promises more information as the topic surely advances this week.
It seems as if our society is headed for dystopia no matter which direction we go: too little government, and we'll end up in a Lord-of-the-Flies situation where we are forced to make our own rules; too much government, and 1984's Big Brother and Party will reappear.
But with all this NSA phone tapping, I'd better watch out what I say to guard against thoughtcrime. Or espionage and/or sedition. Because those are still things.
Good luck to us with that. Check out The New York Times' article, Sunday Breakfast Menu, which doesn't specify the details but promises more information as the topic surely advances this week.
It seems as if our society is headed for dystopia no matter which direction we go: too little government, and we'll end up in a Lord-of-the-Flies situation where we are forced to make our own rules; too much government, and 1984's Big Brother and Party will reappear.
But with all this NSA phone tapping, I'd better watch out what I say to guard against thoughtcrime. Or espionage and/or sedition. Because those are still things.
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