MovieChat Forums > 2081 (2009) Discussion > Its not about equality.

Its not about equality.

posted 13 years ago by Timescrew
3 replies | jump to latest

Some people miss the point Vonnegut is making when he wrote this story. Its not about equality. Rather it is about control... or lack thereof. What Vonnegut is really trying to preach here is the danger of egalitarianism. Although it might not be as prevalent in this movie, the author has stated this. (Do some Google for sources.)

Vonnegut, a self-proclaimed Luddite, admits that what really concerns him is that we are giving too much power and control over to computers/technology and the government who wields it against us. In this film, which is more of a satire than a dystopian premonition, he warns that if you give up to much of your rights to the government something as simple as a quest for equality will be perverted into a system of control in which everyone's individuality will be suppressed, their traits handicapped, and their accomplishments muted. They succeed in this by changing societal norms and using big brother tactics. Something which, up to his death in 2007, he feels is coming true right now.

There is no flavor text!

[–] roninmlb 12 years ago

You can't say it's not about equality because that's what its actually about, regardless of the author's post-rationalizations. It's like saying that Atlas Shrugged is not about Objectivism, or that Beverly Hills Chihuahua is not about talking dogs. Why would you write a story you want to be about technophobia and instead write it about the dangers of equality?
It should be noted as well that one of the producers shown in the credits but not on the IMDB page is Elizabeth Koch. Charles Koch, one half of the billionaire, tea-party loving, libertarian Koch Brothers, has a daughter named Elizabeth. Coincidence?

[–] blackjackxxx 11 years ago

It should be noted as well that one of the producers shown in the credits but not on the IMDB page is Elizabeth Koch. Charles Koch, one half of the billionaire, tea-party loving, libertarian Koch Brothers, has a daughter named Elizabeth. Coincidence?

Bwaaaaaa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! That's.....ummm.....really, really dumb.

and instead write it about the dangers of equality?

And that's even dumber, Comrade.

Push the button, Max

[–] balducci2 11 years ago

I would not be at all surprised if the Koch brothers and some of their ilk misunderstood the short story Harrison Bergeron. However, are you sure that Elizabeth shares the same politics as her father?

In any case, as you said the story is about equality but it is NOT an attack on leveling or equality.

See here, for instance:

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/may/05/vonnegut_lawyers_could/

Rather, (based on other writings of his) it is really a satire of America's cold war (mis)understanding of communism and socialism, and of what leveling and equality really entail.

Vonnegut was well known to be a supporter of the left, and of socialism. He opposed the Vietnam war, the Bush administration, the Iraq war, and was a well known humanist. His other works satirized the right. He described modern terrorists (a few years after 9/11) as very brave people.