We are fast becoming a "Mad Max" society.

[Brigid]

I am talking about the original "Mad Max," not the rather cartoonish "Road Warrior" or the silly "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (though the first half would have made a thought-provoking short film on its own)." If you haven't seen the original, or if it had been a while, give it a look.

The world Max lives in is rapidly decaying into simple barbarism. Violence and chaos reign. Civil authority appears to have almost completely broken down. Apparently as a last-ditch effort to maintain some semblance of order, the Main Force Patrol was created. But other than the uniforms and the V-8 Interceptors, they are little different from the psychopaths they chase around on the highways -- and Max knows it. Only his wife and child keep him sane. When they are killed, he has little reason not to become just as incapable of empathy as thugs like Night Rider and Toecutter.

Is Max's world really so far-fetched? Take a look around and you tell me.

[ixion]

1. not far-fetched at all, in my opinion

And we'll be there sooner than most can imagine.

[Horse with no Name]

2. I remember seeing this at the Drive-In

and laughing and thinking :wtf:...this is ridiculous around the late 70's.

I may watch it again, however, no doubt it will be in horror at how close we are.

[Initech]

3. At Angels Stadium they used to have a contest where a home run would equal free tickets to Hawaii.

And it was for one randomly selected fan. After the contests' sponsor Aloha Airlines went out of business in '09 it quickly devolved into a contest to give away free cheeseburgers at Jack In The Box. Just goes to show you how things can change very quickly!

[Octafish]

15. Having been to Hawaii and eaten at Jack In The Box I have to say there is a real difference.

While JITB has its menu moments, I really really really love Hawaii and its people.

[hack89]

4. Yet levels of violent crime are at 50 years lows and steadily declining

perhaps the problem is your overly active imagination? The facts say you have never been safer.

[dionysus]

5. don't piss on a good doomsday thread, party pooper

:P

[Abin Sur]

9. It's the zombie apocalypse that we *really* need to prepare for

Luckily, given my hobbies I have a leg up on the neighbors...

[Initech]

6. When you can't afford bullets...

[Journeyman]

7. "Facts, sir, are the enemy of truth!" ~ Don Quixote de la Mancha . . .

(Though your comment was the first thought to come to my mind as well.)

[NNN0LHI]

8. Kind of the same thing we did to Iraq

[KT2000]

10. Left my rural abode

for a trip into the big city recently. The traffic alone looked like there were many people on the verge of losing their minds. The aggression and anger exhibited in that common task appeared to be very wearing on the mental health of many.

Driving a car seems to put some people is a super competitive, angry state of mind. When they get to their destination, I doubt they are able to turn it off and become kind nurturing people. I think many of them would subconsciously seek out a victim for their pent up rage. Now it is acceptable to hate groups of people - especially workers that are "stealing" from them (as they learn on RW media).

[IDemo]

11. Maybe a bit closer to "Children of Men"

There's even a product marketed to enable the sick, elderly and socially dispossessed to "Just die".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NikEQy1XxDE

[Peregrine Took]

12. I wonder if one would be safer in the city or the country?

I think in the city. Too many crazies in the boonies.

[kctim]

13. IF you actually believe that

you deserve to live in the city.

[ixion]

16. Historically worse in the city

just sayin'...

[Octafish]

14. Absolutely, Brigid. It's what comes before the Cannibal Time.

The wolves will have their way with the sheep in a Social Darwinistic battle royal.

Perhaps before then, there'll be big big wars. And the world will resemble "Terminator,"
followed by "The Book of Eli." I'd add "The Road," but I haven't seen that yet.

Being 54 years old, I can say I do know that this is what's the world's becoming.

In America, Might has made Right since November 22, 1963.



Something else I know is that two species will survive us in the 99-percent:
The cockroach and the rat, the sociopathic symbiosis that runs Bartertown DC.

Yes, Brigid. What you wrote is what we are becoming.
And it is what lies ahead for our nation and planet
unless We the People get our heads out of the sand.

Once, I held real hope that things would change.

[AngkorWot]

17. violent crime drops to historic lows...

just like in that prophetic post-apocalyptic ultraviolent campy thirty year old movie.

Oh, wait...

[zappaman]

18. Not even remotely close.

You have a very vivid imagination.

[lumberjack_jeff]

19. Far fetched? Yes. Superchargers don't engage with a switch. n/t

[Shagbark Hickory]

20. You're watching too much fox news.