[eckyptang]

+1 for idiocracy. There is so much of society crammed into that film it's unreal. Warning: it's by mike judge of Beavis and butthead fame so you have to look past the fart jokes.

"ow my balls" is definitely a reference to wasting time on YouTube...

[oinksoft]

This film struck me as an educated elitist view of the lumpenproletariat. Once upon a time, an itinerant person was the one who idled by reading, rather than working, or enjoying the more "vigorous" pleasures of the hunt, etc. Reading novels was thought (and by some, still is) to delude the mind with fantasies. New mediums are often derided.

I also found the film prudish, implying that having a large family can only be a product of ignorance and animalistic tendencies.

[rglover]

I also found the film prudish, implying that having a large family can only be a product of ignorance and animalistic tendencies.

I believe you're referring to the family tree scene where the affluent couple wants to conceive but they cannot. Instead, they parallel their experience against the destitute couple breeding at an infinite rate.

I don't believe this should be a slight against having a large family, but rather, doing so under mindless pretenses. To be blunt: just having sex to have sex, not to procreate with a purpose.

[oinksoft]

This would be my statement to the writer: Sex for sex' sake is far from mindless, and a child conceived in love is no worse than one who is the product of deliberation and effort. Also, pregnancies are equally likely to be deliberated amongst low-income families, especially in rural societies.

[StavrosK]

I don't think it was just "sex for sex' sake". It's just that contraception requires responsibility, and the irresponsible are the ones who, by default, have more children, which is the opposite of how it should be.

[rglover]

Much better articulation of what I was trying to say.

[odiroot]

I'd also recommend Charlie Brooker's Black Mirror.

[rglover]

Checking this out now. Great recommendation. Brilliant stuff.

[Nimi]

While we're discussing relevant recommendations, I'll humbly chip in with my 2 cents: Queensryche's Operation Mindcrime, a progressive metal concept album heavily influenced by 1984. Probably not a timeless masterpiece like 1984 and Brave New World if you just consider the plot; but considered a masterpiece in its genre, probably worthy of the compliment if you also consider the amazing music and plot devices.