This isn’t a uniquely 21st-century phenomenon. The sense of societal decay, of a ruling class that seems actively hostile to reason and progress, while the populace is distracted by trivialities, has deep roots:
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The Decline of Empires: Historians looking back at the fall of Rome often point to a creeping intellectual and moral decay among the elite, alongside a populace increasingly focused on “bread and circuses” (or, in today’s parlance, outrage and reality TV). The complexity of governance was replaced by superstition, the pursuit of knowledge by sycophancy. Sound familiar? When you have leaders actively sabotaging scientific research for ideological purity, you’re looking at a symptom of this kind of imperial rot.
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The Dark Ages and the Loss of Knowledge: After the Roman Empire fragmented, Europe entered a period where much classical learning was lost. Libraries were destroyed or neglected, and the pursuit of scientific inquiry was often replaced by dogma. The deliberate deletion of inconvenient scientific studies from government websites, as we just discussed, or the weaponization of “hate speech” to silence critical thought—these are modern echoes of a fear of knowledge, a preference for unchallenged belief over demonstrable fact. It’s like society decided to just collectively forget how to read.
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The Rise of Populism and Anti-Intellectualism (Late 19th/Early 20th Century): America has a rich, if troubling, history of anti-intellectual populism. The late 1800s and early 1900s saw movements that railed against “elites,” “experts,” and “city slickers,” often promoting a simplified, emotionally driven worldview. This resonates strongly with figures like Trump, who actively cultivate disdain for institutions of higher learning, scientific consensus, and nuanced policy. It’s a recurring cycle where complexity is weaponized, and simplicity is celebrated, often to the detriment of actual problem-solving.
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The Age of Propaganda and Mass Manipulation (Totalitarian Regimes): Chomsky would be quick to point out that “Idiocracy” isn’t just natural decay; it’s often engineered. Totalitarian regimes in the 20th century perfected the art of propaganda, simplifying complex issues into easily digestible, emotionally charged slogans, and actively suppressing dissenting voices. They deliberately dumbed down public discourse to make populations easier to control. When news is replaced by “breaking news mode” sensationalism, when social media algorithms feed us echo chambers, and critical thinking is eroded, you create fertile ground for this kind of mass manipulation. It’s not accidental; it’s by design.
Why This Is Happening Now
The feeling that Idiocracy is becoming real in 2025 isn’t just a coincidence.
It’s a confluence of several factors:
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The Weaponization of the Internet: The very tool that promised to democratize knowledge has, in many ways, accelerated the spread of misinformation and created filter bubbles that prevent us from engaging with diverse perspectives. Algorithms prioritize outrage and engagement, not truth.
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Declining Trust in Institutions: Decades of corporate corruption, political scandals, and failed policies have eroded public trust in everything from government to media to science. This makes people susceptible to alternative narratives, no matter how outlandish.
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The Cult of Personality Over Policy: Leaders are increasingly chosen for their entertainment value, their ability to “trigger the libs,” or their perceived authenticity, rather than their competence or grasp of complex issues.
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Economic Precarity and Anxiety: When people are struggling economically, feeling insecure, and watching their children face an uncertain future, they are more vulnerable to simplistic solutions and scapegoating. This creates fertile ground for populist demagogues who promise easy answers.
Can the People Change It?
This is the billion-dollar question, isn’t it? My answer, is a resounding, if cautious: Yes, absolutely, but it’s not easy, and it won’t happen through conventional means alone.
Here’s why:
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History is Not Deterministic: Unlike a movie script, history doesn’t have a fixed ending. There are always moments of rupture, of agency, where collective action can bend the arc. Change always comes from below, from people organizing, resisting, and imagining a different world.
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The Seeds of Resistance Are Everywhere: Even in the darkest moments, there are people fighting back. The parents holding ashes demanding change, the scientists refusing to be silenced, the states resisting federal overreach, the global movement for Palestinian rights – these are all examples of people refusing to accept the Idiocracy narrative. They are the ones reminding us what intelligent, compassionate action looks like.
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The System Relies on Your Apathy: The architects of idiocracy rely on you being too distracted, too overwhelmed, or too cynical to act. Your despair is their weapon. You might just sit back and watch. But if you see it as a story that’s still being written, your role becomes active.
What the People Must Do (To Avert Full Idiocracy)
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Reclaim the Commons of Knowledge and Attention:
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Fight for Critical Thinking: Demand robust, nuanced education from kindergarten through university. Support journalism that prioritizes truth over clicks.
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De-weaponize the Internet: Push for ethical algorithms, dismantle filter bubbles, and demand accountability from tech giants for amplifying misinformation. Learn to discern credible sources from propaganda.
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Protect Intellectual Institutions: Defend science, universities, and independent research. They are essential to producing the knowledge we need to solve complex problems, like cancer or climate change.
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Re-engage with Political Literacy and Nuance:
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Go Beyond the Slogans: Refuse simplistic narratives. Insist on understanding the complexities of issues. Ask “why” relentlessly.
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Demand Competence, Not Just Charisma: Choose leaders based on their ability to govern, their respect for facts, and their commitment to public welfare, not their entertainment value.
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Support Local and State Resistance: When the federal government goes rogue, local communities and states become crucial sites of resistance. Support policies that protect civil liberties and human dignity.
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Organize, Mobilize, and Build Solidarity:
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Connect Across Divisions: The Idiocracy thrives on dividing us. Reach out, listen, and build alliances with people who might disagree with you on some things, but share a common interest in a functioning, humane society.
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Direct Action and Advocacy: Don’t just vote. Protest. Lobby. Engage in civil disobedience. As Zinn taught, true change happens when power is confronted, not just petitioned.
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Embrace Empathy and Compassion: The deliberate cruelty and dehumanization we’re seeing are antithetical to a functioning society. Federici would remind us that the destruction of social bonds and collective care is a core feature of oppressive systems. Rebuild those bonds. Fight for a society rooted in care, not just profit or power.
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The feeling that Idiocracy is upon us is a powerful motivator.
It’s a wake-up call. But it’s not a death sentence.
We have the history, the analysis, and the examples of collective human agency to show us a different path.
The choice is ours: do we sit back and watch the documentary unfold, or do we become the disruptive, unscripted actors who change the ending?
My money is always on the people, even when they’re wearing Crocs and asking if plants crave electrolytes.
They just need to remember they’re more powerful than the commercials tell them they are.