Amusing Ourselves to Death

Aside from Scripture and a few seminal devotional books, the most influential book I've ever read was Neal Postman's book Amusing Ourselves to Death. The concept of the book began when Postman was discussing Orwell's book 1984, in 1984. Postman suggested that reality was more accurately reflected by Aldous Huxley's vision than Orwell's. Orwell posits a world where the populace is oppressed by pain. But in Brave New World, Huxley suggests that culture will be oppressed by pleasure. Just give people what they think they want, and they will be complacent, docile, and content. Ambition and achievement will be lost not because they are taken, but rather surrendered.

Twenty-five years after the book's release, I cannot imagine a more accurate prophetic vision of modern culture. When I look around, I cannot help but ask what our culture would look like if we got what it appears we're seeking. For a while, I had to use my imagination. But then the movie Wall*E came out. And I saw in animated form what Postman described. People lounging around in ideal climate, slurping their beverage, rotund and reclined. As I watched the film (well after most of the American populace), I couldn't help but wonder if anyone was watching. Did we see this? How are we any different? We're not quite at that point, but isn't that where most of us would be if we were able?

Gag! What a sad existence. No challenge, hardship, difficulty, no hurdles to force us to stretch or strive at all. Yet aren't most of us pining for this as though it were an idyllic vision? Aren't we longing for leisure with our centrifugal bumble puppies, drugging ourselves with our soma so life is happy and easy? Today I woke up and began my devotional time. Jesus warns his disciples, "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighted down with dissipation . . ." (Luke 21:34). When I went to see what that word meant, I was shocked to find one of the definitions reads, "mental distraction, amusement, diversion." Jesus warned us about this pursuit. But I wonder if anyone is listening? Or are we captive to the devices and substances we have pursued in making happiness our highest cultural ideal?