Live data from Hacker News

How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

theparisreview.org

11–20 of 57 posts

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#11

I don't know if Handmaid's tale can be considered Dystopian because, frankly, it is not that scary for two mains reason: Firstly, it is completely unrealistic. No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Secondly, the characters are unsympathetic. Sure something terrible happens to them but then you realize that they broke the law . Clearly, they are at fault for breaking the law.

> No one would separate a child from their parent in any world.

This was regularly done in the USSR for idealogical reasons.

> but then you realize that they broke the law.

I'm not familiar with the show, but the law isn't the ultimate arbiter of what you should do all the time. I think this should be obvious from history.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#12

I don't know if Handmaid's tale can be considered Dystopian because, frankly, it is not that scary for two mains reason: Firstly, it is completely unrealistic. No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Secondly, the characters are unsympathetic. Sure something terrible happens to them but then you realize that they broke the law . Clearly, they are at fault for breaking the law.

[deleted]

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#13
post #11

I don't know if Handmaid's tale can be considered Dystopian because, frankly, it is not that scary for two mains reason: Firstly, it is completely unrealistic. No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Secondly, the characters are unsympathetic. Sure something terrible happens to them but then you realize that they broke the law . Clearly, they are at fault for breaking the law.

> No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. This was regularly done in the USSR for idealogical reasons. > but then you realize that they broke the law. I'm not familiar with the show, but the law isn't the ultimate arbiter of what you should do all the time. I think this should be obvious from history.

Presumably OP is satire, since parents are being separated from children by the current US administration.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#14

Maybe I'm not alone in reaching a breaking point recently. Kennedy retiring and giving Mitch McConnel two supreme court picks has pushed me over the edge. We're heading for a dark, dark place as a country and I just can't care anymore. It's too much. It's not even anger, just inconsolable depression. I'm turning off the news and going back to playing World of Warcraft.

How is that in any way a response that shouldn't engender more frustration and anger that you're suggesting it be a viable course of action?

Be angry. You should be. Get your friends angry. Don't let people shut off and tune out. That's a large part of how we got to this point, to my eyes. When we truly give up, well, then you'll get to see what "too much" really feels like.

As long as I live I will not give up my agency to fight for what I believe in, no matter how hopeless the cause is. That's an integral part of my philosophy in what it is to be human; and preserving any optimism in a future of my country's governance is a hill I'm more than willing to die on.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#15
post #7

I don't know if Handmaid's tale can be considered Dystopian because, frankly, it is not that scary for two mains reason: Firstly, it is completely unrealistic. No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Secondly, the characters are unsympathetic. Sure something terrible happens to them but then you realize that they broke the law . Clearly, they are at fault for breaking the law.

> No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Except current US immigration policy..

> Except prior US policy for illegal border crossing due to disparate laws and judicial rulings.

FTFY

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#16

Maybe I'm not alone in reaching a breaking point recently. Kennedy retiring and giving Mitch McConnel two supreme court picks has pushed me over the edge. We're heading for a dark, dark place as a country and I just can't care anymore. It's too much. It's not even anger, just inconsolable depression. I'm turning off the news and going back to playing World of Warcraft.

This quote from Atticus Finch has made the rounds recently, so I'm feeling very trite in reposting it, but:

I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.

Also, avoiding social media helps. If you want to hear someone's opinion (whether you agree or disagree), talk to them in person. Play WoW as a release, but don't give up on your convictions, whatever they may be.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#17

Maybe I'm not alone in reaching a breaking point recently. Kennedy retiring and giving Mitch McConnel two supreme court picks has pushed me over the edge. We're heading for a dark, dark place as a country and I just can't care anymore. It's too much. It's not even anger, just inconsolable depression. I'm turning off the news and going back to playing World of Warcraft.

You're not alone, but we can't withdraw. Moderate your news consumption, go get some exercise, see a therapist, but don't just tune out. What are you going to do, tune out for the rest of your life?

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#18

Maybe I'm not alone in reaching a breaking point recently. Kennedy retiring and giving Mitch McConnel two supreme court picks has pushed me over the edge. We're heading for a dark, dark place as a country and I just can't care anymore. It's too much. It's not even anger, just inconsolable depression. I'm turning off the news and going back to playing World of Warcraft.

[deleted]

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#19
post #11

I don't know if Handmaid's tale can be considered Dystopian because, frankly, it is not that scary for two mains reason: Firstly, it is completely unrealistic. No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. Secondly, the characters are unsympathetic. Sure something terrible happens to them but then you realize that they broke the law . Clearly, they are at fault for breaking the law.

> No one would separate a child from their parent in any world. This was regularly done in the USSR for idealogical reasons. > but then you realize that they broke the law. I'm not familiar with the show, but the law isn't the ultimate arbiter of what you should do all the time. I think this should be obvious from history.

Whoosh!

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#20

Maybe I'm not alone in reaching a breaking point recently. Kennedy retiring and giving Mitch McConnel two supreme court picks has pushed me over the edge. We're heading for a dark, dark place as a country and I just can't care anymore. It's too much. It's not even anger, just inconsolable depression. I'm turning off the news and going back to playing World of Warcraft.

how can you play world of warcraft when your duty as a citizen remains unfulfilled?
Post reply on HN