In high school, we had to read this short story by Vonnegut in one of the college-prep English classes. I remember thinking the premise of it was ridiculous, but it was interesting at the same time. Fast forward 15 years from the late 90s.
Now, with all the "equality" stuff going on and the government (liberals are typically blamed, but there's not much true difference besides what you see on paper) trying to redress absolutely everything under the Sun - is it possible we're going this direction?
Maybe it's being done covertly, via GMO foods to make everyone fat & slow. If everyone is fat, that's a form of equality, and the majority of people are now, at least in terms of BMI.
The story is about the USA in 2081, and absolute equality is under effect, no one is smarter, no one hears better, no one is better looking, no one is in better shape. True communism in every sense, opposed to only economic communism.
In the story, if a person is in naturally good shape, they're forced to always wear a fat suit by the law.
I really don't think it will ever get like that, but society is currently sort of at this odd crossroads where Jack is rewarded for dressing up like Jill, Jill is rewarded for dressing up like Jack, promiscuity among women & gays is seen as "empowerment", but straight men (at least in the west) are now seen as "creepy" for desiring thin attractive women and pursuing them, unless they're Charlie Sheen or some big time celeb.
There's just too much rich/poor divide in America for there ever to be true equality, but in the future, it does make you wonder if they'll try to force some sort of unconventional communism like the story.
The story is easy to find, if you got a minute, it's a good read.
Now, with all the "equality" stuff going on and the government (liberals are typically blamed, but there's not much true difference besides what you see on paper) trying to redress absolutely everything under the Sun - is it possible we're going this direction?
Maybe it's being done covertly, via GMO foods to make everyone fat & slow. If everyone is fat, that's a form of equality, and the majority of people are now, at least in terms of BMI.
The story is about the USA in 2081, and absolute equality is under effect, no one is smarter, no one hears better, no one is better looking, no one is in better shape. True communism in every sense, opposed to only economic communism.
In the story, if a person is in naturally good shape, they're forced to always wear a fat suit by the law.
I really don't think it will ever get like that, but society is currently sort of at this odd crossroads where Jack is rewarded for dressing up like Jill, Jill is rewarded for dressing up like Jack, promiscuity among women & gays is seen as "empowerment", but straight men (at least in the west) are now seen as "creepy" for desiring thin attractive women and pursuing them, unless they're Charlie Sheen or some big time celeb.
There's just too much rich/poor divide in America for there ever to be true equality, but in the future, it does make you wonder if they'll try to force some sort of unconventional communism like the story.
The story is easy to find, if you got a minute, it's a good read.