How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction • Hacker News Board

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#21

Post by stronglikedan » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:12 PM UTC

richmarr wrote: post #13

jhauris wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

And the previous few administrations as well, if we're being concise. (even if this entire comment thread is OT to begin with)

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#22

Post by raven105x » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:18 PM UTC

riku_iki wrote: post #7

projectramo wrote: post #5

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..

After fighting for a decade of my adult life to even get a green card, the corollary of "Sneak into our country and have sex here for free citizenship" is not appealing.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#23

Post by deadmetheny » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:21 PM UTC

RightMillennial wrote: post #15

riku_iki wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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

It astounds me that people get downvoted for the factual observation that illegally crossing the border is, in fact, illegal and results in deportation.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#24

Post by smacktoward » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:24 PM UTC

chickenfries wrote: post #17

aphextron wrote: post #2

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?

Not to mention that tuning out is a luxury that only those not currently being targeted can afford. Once you're on the list of targets, the news has a way of arriving on your doorstep whether you're paying attention to it or not.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#25

Post by riku_iki » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:26 PM UTC

deadmetheny wrote: post #23

RightMillennial wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

It astounds me that people get downvoted for the factual observation that illegally crossing the border is, in fact, illegal and results in deportation.

But topic is about subsequent parents and child separation, with putting children into foster care.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#26

Post by tgerhbes346 » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:32 PM UTC

aphextron wrote: post #2

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.

Imagine telling future generations "We could have stopped it, but it was too stressful, so we played video games."

People died fighting to end slavery. People died fighting for an 8 hour work day. People died fighting to oppose Hitler. You are just as strong as those people.

No matter how bleak it seems, do not give up. Write, Complain, Vote.

Edit: Why the downvotes? Ok, maybe I'm being too tough. OP, you should know that it's OK to feel sad. Everyone replying to this comment wants you to know that you're not alone, and we hope you can find your way out of a dark place. Please take care of yourself.

Is it because of the last sentence? I'm not saying only do those three things.

Or is it because I mentioned hitler. Sorry, I was thinking of my Grandpa. He fought in WW2, and whenever I feel like scared, I think of him because he was a brave person.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#27

Post by j-c-hewitt » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:37 PM UTC

riku_iki wrote: post #7

projectramo wrote: post #5

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..

Try it in China and see what happens!

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#28

Post by mlevental » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:39 PM UTC

smacktoward wrote: post #24

chickenfries wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Not to mention that tuning out is a luxury that only those not currently being targeted can afford. Once you're on the list of targets, the news has a way of arriving on your doorstep whether you're paying attention to it or not.

i don't understand why you're being downvoted. it's true (even if your diction is severe - "targeting"). when i heard the news about kennedy yesterday i commented to my friends that hey we really could move - we're all educated and white and etc. and i immediately felt like a coward because there are millions of people that aren't and don't have the option.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#29

Post by nugget » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:40 PM UTC

projectramo wrote: post #5

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.

I'm guessing very few HN readers have exposure to this, but Child Protective Services removes hundreds of children per week from their parents and sends them into foster care. Usually for the justifiable health and welfare of the child, but sometimes for very controversial reasons that the public does not support. So there is precedent already that society can, and does, exercise this power. There are about half a million kids in the US foster care system at any point in time.

Re: How to Live in a Dystopian Fiction

#30

Post by hguant » Fri, Jun 29, 2018, 6:41 PM UTC

riku_iki wrote: post #25

deadmetheny wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It astounds me that people get downvoted for the factual observation that illegally crossing the border is, in fact, illegal and results in deportation.

But topic is about subsequent parents and child separation, with putting children into foster care.

Which is what happens (or, should happen) to citizens who are criminals and endanger their child's life for familial gain.