The dystopia as a sign of our time

Mercedes Julià brings us closer to the different types of dystopia and the dangers they entail in this conference, explaining them as a global problem that is occurring anywhere on the planet.

The dystopian novels began as warnings of what could happen; people read them as entertainment, as science fiction, separated from reality, until they have progressively become a prelude of what is happening in the world. Michael Tolkin's novel NK3 (2017), for example, describes a chemical attack by North Korea. The NK3 chemicals had destroyed the memory of victims who could hardly think. And although everyone was watching it coming, they were so busy making food, working or watching TV that they had not noticed what was in front of them.

 

As Jill Lepore indicates, dystopias that had been a fiction of resistance -this is, a way of understanding what could happen to take care that it does not happen- have become a fiction of submission. Because dystopias do not believe in progress, and at this moment it is reading that reassures most of the people since many individuals identify with that terrible world; people who do not have any preparation, their jobs provide them with the minimum to live, and do not know or have the energy to combat the serious problems that threaten life and well-being on the planet.

 

Today, more than ever, we see reflected in society the dangers presented in dystopias; stories like global warming, pandemics, and the uses of robots to replace humans. Perhaps that is why people prefer to read stories or watch movies that deal with these phenomena to learn about what may happen, or is happening and feel identified. This may be the main reason why dystopian literature has exploded in all parts of the world. Pick something that is happening today, and you will find several novels and movies that deal with the subject.