What is Dystopia

I'll now explain dystopia, one of my favorite types of sci-fi. But first, some definitions according to Merriam-Webster. Media examples will be shown as well.

UTOPIA:  

1. An imaginary and indefinitely remote place
2. A place of ideal perfection especially in laws, government, and social conditions
3. An impractical scheme for social improvement

Some synonyms listed: Camelot, Eden, heaven, and never-never land.

An antinomy: hell

DYSTOPIA: 

An imaginary place where people lead dehumanized and often fearful lives

I like to think of dystopia as a failed attempt at or a false appearance of a utopia. The society is usually oppressed by rules meant for good and safety such as isolation. Theses rules can be lies for control or actually intended to help mankind. Either way, a part of humanity is oppressed or sacrificed. There's usually social or political commentary as well.Technology is usually a method of control while nature is distanced from society.

Dystopia interests me for the philosophy and psychology of what is essential for a humane society to exist. Also, I'm intrigued by a single factor affecting society in various aspects.  Compare a social change in a dsytopia to a change in the past in time travel sci-fii. A single action can build up to a new lifestyle.

If you want more definitions or characteristics, I found this site on George Orwell, author of Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm.

Now for some media examples.

 Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

1984 screen adaptation

Very political, which is understandable if you read Orwell's bio. There hardly is privacy when even your own child can accuse you as a threat.  The story also has sociology and psychology with brainwashing and fitting in. Even language is covered with changed definitions such as War = Peace, words eliminated to prevent rebellious thoughts, and history is changed to support present announcements.

It's not a fast read though; I've been reading it little by little to appreciate the author's depicted system. "Big brother is watching you."

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin

Translated from Russian. 

In this one, society's schedule is measure from when you wake up to when you sleep. Calling in sick for work means you let you down society (irrational behavior).  The collective over individual is a main focus.  There's mathematical metaphors and descriptions of working with rhythm like in a mechanical ballet. Surgery on the brain is considered as a way of being rational.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Has been adapted to screen
and on theater stage. 

This dystopia deals more with literature being essential to humanity and society than politics or government. With fireproof houses, firemen are given a new duty.  They investigate homes suspected to hold literature and burn the books.  Fahrenheit 451 is actually one of my favorite novels. It has that one factor changing different aspects of society, including television, teens, and conversation.

At the SD Comic Con, Bradbury stated that he wrote the book in response to his books being pulled off the shelves of high school libraries. However, he also states on the pamphlet for the stage adaptation that the story is NOT all about censorship. So remember to look at literature as a part of society and soul.

Uglies series by Scott Westerfield

I have not read this series, but here is a dystopia geared towards female readers. Society is convinced that a modified face (surgery) is beauty while natural features are ugly and primitive.  Surgery is typically done during puberty, but unknown to everyone is that a part of the brain is modified as well.  The titles list class ranks, with uglies being the lowest rank when a person has not had surgery yet. The book Extras follows a different heroine.

Equilibrium

Emotions are seen as the cause for war so everyone has to sedate themselves. In addition, all forms of art (literature, fine art, music, etc) is shunned because they are stimulating and provoking. There is a squad trained in martial arts with guns, which leads to flashy fight scenes. Christian Bale's character accidentally misses a dose one day and experiences emotion.

No novels were adapted for this film but they must have been an influence or inspiration. I think in the Special Features, the director states he hadn't read Brave New World yet (neither have I).

I have not read The Hunger Games but it is on my list. Have you read this one?

Overall, there's a lot of brainwashing and brain surgery going on in these dystopias. I did not describe the main character in every example, but most of them have a rank with power or an occupation that contributes to controlling society. I suppose the struggle for control is another feature I like in a dystopia as well. The dilemma is safety and control or humanity and freedom in these societies.

Banana Sculptures!

I still have to blog about dystopia but here's something that I HAD to share:

It's a real banana, and there's a few more here. =)

Dystopia contest about love

Dystopia and time travel are my favorite types of sci-fi (I'll have to blog later about the first at least). I just heard about the Lauren Oliver's contest, and I want to write a short story entry.  Even if I do not make the deadline, the prompt will be a good exercise.

If you're interested in entering as well, then click Lauren's name above. The prompt says, "Write a short story or poem in less than 750 words in which two people meet and have a connection (romantic or not), in a society where human interaction is shunned." The deadline is April 24.

I have not read Lauren's work yet but I wish to read Delirium, which has the contest's theme.

Heads up for Sucker Punch

Before I saw the movie, a friend's Facebook status read, "Sailor Moon + Inception = Sucker Punch."  I laughed but I thought Inception was associated only for having a made-up reality.  I understood better though after seeing the movie.

Here's the second trailer: 

The fighting can be seen as the made-up reality, but there's actually 3 levels to Sucker Punch (thanks buddy for the discussion).  I think the viewer needs to realize this fact early so I'll briefly state them so that the story sequence can be understood better.

1ST LEVEL (reality):

As the trailer states, the girl, "Baby Doll," loses her family and she is committed to an institute.

2ND LEVEL (This level can be confused as reality):

In the trailer and movie, you realize that the girls that were once dressed as patients later have prepped hair, make-up, corsets, and nylon like show girls.  This is the world that Baby Doll has created to push away the pain and focus on her situation. 

3RD LEVEL:

Baby doll's will to survive is shown through various fight fantasies.

Levels 1 and 2 have to be recognized as different or else the changed setting and situation only makes sense if the institute was just a front until they change back.

I want to see it again to see if certain characters exist on the first level. Any thoughts to the psychology aspect of Sucker Punch?

On a separate note, I like the movie posters and Alex Pardee's character art like the one below. =)  His other art is more dark though.