The Consequence of Pessimism

For countless generations it has been said that the children are our future. But exactly what does this mean? A superficial interpretation will merely state that the youth will take over the roles of tomorrow.

However, as older generations are physically replaced by newer generations, there is also an introduction of new ideas, new values, and new perspectives that result in an overall change that expands throughout all social, cultural, political, and economic spectrums.

Often times, popular culture plays a large role in influencing future values. So, this begs the question of how will the generation of current popular culture, which also includes video games, come to view the world?

One popular theory on history has firmly stated that humanity has and is continuously in a state of progression. Progression, however, is a highly subjective matter open to varying interpretations.

In the 1960’s, the Star Trek franchise became a television phenomenon by going beyond the television set and into the very fabric of society. Its massive popularity and presence in popular culture made the show’s themes and ideas pervasive throughout the medium.

The show’s extremely idealistic overtones had a profound effect on general society - especially on the youth of its era. World peace, unity, and prosperity were all visions that were present in Gene Rodenberry’s vision of humanity’s future.

Hope became the primary driving force behind the program, and that same hope also became a source of inspiration.

Today’s leaders have entrenched society in a new period of optimism, with President Barack Obama standing as its symbol.

Obviously, popular culture isn’t solely responsible for bringing about new social trends. Other factors play a role in how cultures evolve.

The Star Trek generation, however, has managed to escape the troubles of World War II, has little recollection of Vietnam, and avoided the peaks of paranoia during the Cold War. This just makes Star Trek’s hopeful image more plausible.

People’s hopes in this era were only inhibited by their own imaginations. They believed lofty ideas could come to fruition and that the world could be changed.

But 40 years from now, how will society’s perspective change based on current popular culture?

The pretty picture of society painted by Star Trek has become thoroughly deconstructed in this post-modern world, and there is no better example of this besides the most recent recreation of the Battlestar Galactica series.

Peace, prosperity, and unity have become unattainable ideals that are seen as childish and foolish, hope has been supplanted by cynicism and pragmatism, and humanity is seen as corrupt and greedy. Popular culture has popularized and perpetuated these new pessimistic themes. Countless movies, shows, and games have come to emphasize the dark side of human nature in greater volumes.

The media, in efforts to generate attention and money, has fabricated a society in which evil is everywhere, and unfortunately, people have come to believe that evil is as inescapable as air itself. As a result, we’ve become highly skeptical of one another. In addition, we have come to view the world as unmanageable.

This has also led to a popularization of bleak futures in which humanity often spirals down into a post-apocalyptic world. As mentioned before, there is Battlestar Galactica, and most recently the new Terminator flick.

In games, post-apocalyptic futures are so numerous they might as well have their own specific genre. Half-Life, Halo, Gears of War — the list goes on. What’s troubling is that they’re all wildly popular franchises.

If hope can have such a profound effect on past societies, then so too can feelings of depression and helplessness. By transforming disaster and tragedy into entertainment, it has marginalized the devastating consequences of things such as war. This may lead future society to be more reckless.

Furthermore, the pervasiveness of negativity in the media has made the general population feel unable to change things. By being constantly exposed to these negative views, we are subconsciously limiting our capabilities. Lofty ideas of the past are seen as impossible and we don’t even bother with them.

Do not get me wrong: I am not claiming games are a destructive culture. I’m saying popular culture in general — television, movies, and games — needs to be aware of the messages it’s sending. Also keep in mind that popular culture plays just one of many roles in influencing a society.

Hope empowers people to change things. Pessimism only creates a sense of hopelessness and resignation to accept “inevitable” change.