The socratic seminar was sadly something I didn't get to participate in as much as I'd liked to have, but for the duration of the one day I was present, I observed others' discussions, made a few comments and came to the conclusion that the assignment was probably the best school assignment, and by far the best english assignment, I have ever witnessed. I mean this in that the dicussion allowed not only for a student to think deeply about the things that truly matter most, the big picture, but it also granted each student the opportunity to dig deeper, search for the biggest, the deepest meaning, and to do that by interacting with other students.
As we discussed at the start of the year, substantive conversations, when increased, can increase happiness. This may be simply because of the satisfied feeling one has after a deep talk about humanity, and the satisfaction is there because one feels they have gained perhaps a clearer outlook. Also, one has shared their views and in doing so have revealed a deeper part of themselves, and feedback produces a feeling of being understood and accepted. So not only did the conversations educate, but they also enhanced mental states.
And regarding the education, discussions like these open minds to more education; they open minds to more deeper meanings in things not typically picked up on. Of course, this is the ultimate goal; to be able to see more in less.
I only wish more education could be done in this manner in which interaction has the ability to open minds, make them more knowledgeable on the big picture of life and at the same time help them feel more satisfied.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Annotated Reading List
1.) Moore, Christopher. Fool. New York City: HarperCollins, 2009. Print. Fool is a hilarious satire of King Lear by Shakespeare. It takes place in the same setting but is told this time by the king's fool, a wee man who has a clever joke for everything and a manner most charming in its vulgarity. After Lear banishes one of his daughters, the fool, known as pocket, endeavers to retrieve her and enters a series of outrageous adventures. He is also reminiscent of his childhood, and tells the sweet, humorous tale of his old best friend, a nun, who suprisingly helps twist the ending!
2.) Moore, Christopher. Lamb. New York City: HarperCollins, 2002. Print. Lamb is the side-splitting never-before-told story of Jesus Christ's childhood as told by his best friend Biff, who's pretty pissed about the Bible having left him out. After being brought back to life by an angel, Biff tells the tale of how he tagged along with Jesus, whose name was Joshua before translated, as he embarked to discover just how to be the Messiah. They first end up with a wizard man and his many asain hooker women only to have to slay a demon and then travel on to become Buddhists and learn kung fu. With the other monks, they travel a treacherous icy path and meet an adorable but kina scary creature of pure innocence. Throughout their countless adventures, Jesus learns all he is to preach later with the help of John, and Biff...well, Biff learns sarcasm.
3.) Moore, Christopher. Coyote Blue. New York City: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Print. Coyote Blue is the crazed tale of a salesman with an unexpected past. After growing up a Crowe Indian on their Indian Reservation, Samson Hunts Alone was forced to flee upon partially-accidently killing a cop. He became a salesman at the bet of an experienced one, and changes his name to Samuel Hunter. Now, though, his past seems to be catching up; Coyote Blue, a shape-shifting trickster Indian, appears out of nowhere to ruin his life. Coincidently at the exact same time a beautiful woman named Calliope arrives, making Samuel utterly lovestruck. Yet Samuel's life is falling to pieces, and the battle to stitch them back together ensues.
4.) Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Print. Brave New World is a frightening look into a very possible future, filled with new normalcies of brainwashing, drugs and sex. The novel delves into a society deeming themselves a practical utopia, with its citizens created each to be a member of a specific group to perform specific tasks that enable the perfection of functionality in their society. However, there are problems; with the absence of morality, is their society suffering? And with the constant presence of 'happiness', especially that induced by 'soma', does true happiness exist? Onto the stage appears a 'savage', who belongs to an uncivilized world, and he argues their way of functioning is terribly wrong.
5.) Moore, Christopher. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. Print. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove is a story of, you guessed it, a giant lizard monster arriving into the area of a town called Pine Cove. The town psychiatrist, after feeling guilty for one of her patients committing suicide, replaces all the her pateints' antidepressants to placebos, in hopes of truly bettering them with therapy. In turn, the local bar's business grows greatly, and a bluesman is brought in to play guitar. Unfortunately, it is his guitar playing that seems to have attracted from the sea this giant lizard with a hunger for humans and an ability to morph into a trailor. The town's "crazy lady" falls in love with the lizard, naming him Steve, but Steve still can't be too friendly with the rest of the town, and must be gotten rid of before everyone's been eaten.
6.) Eisnitz, Gail A. Slaughterhouse: the Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment inside the U.S. Meat Industry. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 1997. Print. Slaughterhouse is the nonfiction collaboration of interviews Gail Eisnitz has done with workers at the biggest slaughterhouses in the country. The book reveals the most shocking and disturbingly unimagineable scenes that occur constantly in every slaughterhouse. Not only is it true that an animal properly going through a production line is most rare, and many are skinned alive and/or boiled alive, but the conditions alone of a slaughterhouse, the prevalent roaches, maggots, feces and urine, are enough to make any reader feel like projectile vomiting their lunch. Slaughterhouse, too, tackles the fact that meat-packing is the most dangerous industry and job in America, and its effects on workers is devastating. Killing an animal, or at least trying to, every three seconds all day long is both psychologically damaging and horribly dangerous. This book is a gauranteed change to vegetarianism to anyone I would hope.
2.) Moore, Christopher. Lamb. New York City: HarperCollins, 2002. Print. Lamb is the side-splitting never-before-told story of Jesus Christ's childhood as told by his best friend Biff, who's pretty pissed about the Bible having left him out. After being brought back to life by an angel, Biff tells the tale of how he tagged along with Jesus, whose name was Joshua before translated, as he embarked to discover just how to be the Messiah. They first end up with a wizard man and his many asain hooker women only to have to slay a demon and then travel on to become Buddhists and learn kung fu. With the other monks, they travel a treacherous icy path and meet an adorable but kina scary creature of pure innocence. Throughout their countless adventures, Jesus learns all he is to preach later with the help of John, and Biff...well, Biff learns sarcasm.
3.) Moore, Christopher. Coyote Blue. New York City: Simon & Schuster, 1994. Print. Coyote Blue is the crazed tale of a salesman with an unexpected past. After growing up a Crowe Indian on their Indian Reservation, Samson Hunts Alone was forced to flee upon partially-accidently killing a cop. He became a salesman at the bet of an experienced one, and changes his name to Samuel Hunter. Now, though, his past seems to be catching up; Coyote Blue, a shape-shifting trickster Indian, appears out of nowhere to ruin his life. Coincidently at the exact same time a beautiful woman named Calliope arrives, making Samuel utterly lovestruck. Yet Samuel's life is falling to pieces, and the battle to stitch them back together ensues.
4.) Huxley, Aldous. Brave New World. New York: Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2006. Print. Brave New World is a frightening look into a very possible future, filled with new normalcies of brainwashing, drugs and sex. The novel delves into a society deeming themselves a practical utopia, with its citizens created each to be a member of a specific group to perform specific tasks that enable the perfection of functionality in their society. However, there are problems; with the absence of morality, is their society suffering? And with the constant presence of 'happiness', especially that induced by 'soma', does true happiness exist? Onto the stage appears a 'savage', who belongs to an uncivilized world, and he argues their way of functioning is terribly wrong.
5.) Moore, Christopher. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. Print. The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove is a story of, you guessed it, a giant lizard monster arriving into the area of a town called Pine Cove. The town psychiatrist, after feeling guilty for one of her patients committing suicide, replaces all the her pateints' antidepressants to placebos, in hopes of truly bettering them with therapy. In turn, the local bar's business grows greatly, and a bluesman is brought in to play guitar. Unfortunately, it is his guitar playing that seems to have attracted from the sea this giant lizard with a hunger for humans and an ability to morph into a trailor. The town's "crazy lady" falls in love with the lizard, naming him Steve, but Steve still can't be too friendly with the rest of the town, and must be gotten rid of before everyone's been eaten.
6.) Eisnitz, Gail A. Slaughterhouse: the Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment inside the U.S. Meat Industry. Amherst, NY: Prometheus, 1997. Print. Slaughterhouse is the nonfiction collaboration of interviews Gail Eisnitz has done with workers at the biggest slaughterhouses in the country. The book reveals the most shocking and disturbingly unimagineable scenes that occur constantly in every slaughterhouse. Not only is it true that an animal properly going through a production line is most rare, and many are skinned alive and/or boiled alive, but the conditions alone of a slaughterhouse, the prevalent roaches, maggots, feces and urine, are enough to make any reader feel like projectile vomiting their lunch. Slaughterhouse, too, tackles the fact that meat-packing is the most dangerous industry and job in America, and its effects on workers is devastating. Killing an animal, or at least trying to, every three seconds all day long is both psychologically damaging and horribly dangerous. This book is a gauranteed change to vegetarianism to anyone I would hope.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Annotated Bibliography
1.) Hinyub, Chris. "Controversy Heats up over Marijuana Legalization Initiative | CAIVN." CAIVN | California Independent Voter Network. 4 July 2010. Web. 13 Oct. 2010. .This article discusses the legalization of marijuana in California, and the reason to support taxing the drug. In particular, the article adresses the aspect of imprisonment; offenders arrested as youth typically just become repeat offenders. Thus, prisons are being filled without reason. In relation to Brave New World, the legalization of marijuana could do to our society something like soma has done to theirs. Of course, the effects would not be so extreme; marijuana use would certainly not be mandatory as soma is in their world. However, would the legalization demoralize us as soma seems to have demoralized their society?
2.) Soma in Brave New World Essay." Essays and Papers Online - Direct Essays. Web. 13 Oct. 2010..This essay addresses the use of soma in Brave New World's society and whether it's utilization was for the best. The essay also considers whether the use of soma would enhance our society, if even the substance really is helpful. Is the world of Brave New World benefiting from soma or is soma in its excessive happiness and prevention of any tidbit of sadness actually preventing true happiness? After all, does happy really exist without sad?
3.) "Television Shows and Society's Values: How Viewing Habits Influence Changing Norms." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. 7 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2010..This article points out some of the negative consequences as well as some positive consequences of television on our society. Television desensitizes us to violence and sex and can make money and winning seem higher values, but can also raise our levels of tolerance. Television can be seen as a parallel to soma in Brave New World in that we are addicted to it, and go it in times of need for cheering up or even to exaggerate our happiness. Also, both soma and television can be viewed as demoralizing.
4.) Diamond, Milton. "Pacific Center for Sex and Society - Effects of Pornography." University of Hawaii System. 4 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2010..This article explains how studies are conducted to find the effect of pornography, and how some studies have led their experimentors to strongly believe that pornorgaphy is a direct cause of increased rape crime. Brave New World's society is subjected to ubiquitous sex, in which morality regarding sex, that it is particularly immoral, is completely and utterly absent. The connection implied is the questioning of whether pornography and all sex in media is leading our society down the path that is making morality regarding sex obsolete, as Brave New World has traveled there.
5.) "Eugenics: Moral and Ethical Principles of Controlled Reproduction." Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. 30 Jan. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2010..This article explains what eugenics is, how its intentions are genuinely good-to better society, to become closer to a utopia-yet also why it is immoral and unethical. Eugenics requires the lesser of society to be annihalated, thus leaving the better of society to continue evolving. Brave New World's system clearly supports eugenics. Not that the society has definitely directly indulged in killing off part of its society; rather it simply refuses the birth of anyone who cannot put forth into society. The question is raised whether it is ethical to control a society in this manner.
2.) Soma in Brave New World Essay." Essays and Papers Online - Direct Essays. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
3.) "Television Shows and Society's Values: How Viewing Habits Influence Changing Norms." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. 7 Mar. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
4.) Diamond, Milton. "Pacific Center for Sex and Society - Effects of Pornography." University of Hawaii System. 4 Oct. 2009. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
5.) "Eugenics: Moral and Ethical Principles of Controlled Reproduction." Associated Content - Associatedcontent.com. 30 Jan. 2007. Web. 13 Oct. 2010.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Abundance
Pink's observing contemplations unveil how abundance is thriving in America, yet has failed to increase America's happiness. He reveals the absurd proportions to which the abundance of material items exists by pointing out that "Target was just one of an array of Potomac Yards stores catering to a mostly middle-class clientele." after having established the designer quality of Target clothes. The vastness of today's quality shopping at cheap prices is very prominent, especially so when considering the quality of middle-class store products is as good as it could possibly be, and cheap enough to be prime purchase for the middle-class. Abundance is clearly flourishing in America. Yet its flourishing obviously doesn't correspond with the flourishing of satisfaction, because, as Pink goes on to say, "what's so remarkable about Potomac Yards is how utterly unremarkable it is." The statment is a seeming paradox. Though it makes perfect sense; the astonishing aspect of our excessively vast shopping is that even the most common stores are so rediculously bountiful today. The sad effect is that this comes as an epiphany to our society, which typically regards these stores, like Potomac Yards, as dully common, average, mediocre. Our society takes for granted the availability. Thus, how could it make us any happier if we neglect the awe of our possessions? Pink then plainly states that "the paradox of prosperity is that while living standards have risen steadily decade after decade, personal, family, and life satisfaction haven't budged." This seems a paradox, indeed. Perhaps if we did not take our abundance for granted, the result could be an inflation on our satisfaction. But, such an inflation may not last when desinsitization to the vastness conquers the thought.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Ad Analyzation
http://adflip.com/addetails.php?adID=12828&showLargeJpg=yes
This motorcycle ad may seem merely catchy but behind its seemingly magically appearing allure is an extremely simple formula used to persuade in any great ad and consists of the combination of the three basic methods of persuasion; ethos, pathos and logos. These three perfected methods are portrayed brilliantly and prove quite seductive in the ad.
Ethos, which is this ad's appeal via revealing how reliable the product is based on its credentials, is obvious in the text shown on the image. By informing the audience that the motorcycles benefit from "Formula One Technology" and "traditional hand craftmanship", one may feel drawn to the product because of the emphasized trustworthiness. After all, Formula One Technology is superior technology, and thus can be found reliable. Even if readers haven't heard of the name, the way in which it is stated is just boastful enough to resound in a mind as awe-inducing, and an awe-inducing boast must indeed logically be backed up by truth. "Traditional hand craftsmanship" even seems to scream "trust me!", for who doesn't automatically register a hand-crafted item as being not only artistic but perhaps perfected? It is a natural connotation of "hand craftsmanship." Also, "traditional" is a huge plus because although we may not see it so plainly, we, as humans, totally base our lifestyles off of traditions because it is in our nature to do so. Thus, tradional ways are so appealing in their comforting essence. The ad claims too that the motorcycles are "sold by a very select group of dealers." This emphasizes again that the quality is of the highest kind because its dealers are "select," a term so commonly associated with the best of the best. The article on the image goes on to state that "Cycle Canada Magazine called the new Sprint RS 'sublime'." This further proves the product's credentials because a motorcycle magazine, which must of course know all there is to know about motorcycles, would go as far to call their product "sublime"! And ethos doesn't stop there. The largest words on the ad, the ones that actually catch the attention of potential readers, state "The Empire Strikes Back," practically a joke, but such a clever one! The "Empire" can be seen metaphorically as the bike, and that is in most apparent terms of the aspect of power. This furthers the motorcycle's credentials in associating it with such a popular theme as Star Wars. Even the first words of the following article begin as did Star Wars. How witty!
Pathos, an appeal to the emotions, is visible in the ad in several ways as well. The motorcycles shown can all be seen as going very fast because the backgrounds are all blurry. This demonstrated speed incites excitement and even a taste for adventure or at least adrenaline. The pictures have all been shot at angles that make the motorcycles look extra dangerous just to provoke this enchanting excitement. Also, the article states "Fancy a bike with the pugnacious attitude of an English bulldog? The Speed Triple is your ride." Not only is this clever and slightly amusing, -humor which also appeals to emotions-, it targets prime audience. Obviously motorcycle customers are looking for adventure and speed or they would not be such customers. And anyone looking for a bike of adventure and speed would surely appreciate an analogy of a bike to a bulldog, as both have connotations of ferocity. A ferocious bike means a speedy one.
Logos, which seduces the reasoning human side, too is shown. The article says that "each Triumph is backed by a two-year unlimited mileage warranty." This is a plain fact of the benefits of buying the product. A customer will always be weighing the benefits and cons before buying, and the more benefits they detect the more likely they are to buy. It also states "each Triumph is crafted in the world's most modern motorcycle factory in the English midlands." This is another benefit because more modern typically indicates much better quality.
Ethos, pathos and logos have been utilized to such a degree of perfection in this advertisement that it's practically impossible to not buy a motorcycle after reading it.
This motorcycle ad may seem merely catchy but behind its seemingly magically appearing allure is an extremely simple formula used to persuade in any great ad and consists of the combination of the three basic methods of persuasion; ethos, pathos and logos. These three perfected methods are portrayed brilliantly and prove quite seductive in the ad.
Ethos, which is this ad's appeal via revealing how reliable the product is based on its credentials, is obvious in the text shown on the image. By informing the audience that the motorcycles benefit from "Formula One Technology" and "traditional hand craftmanship", one may feel drawn to the product because of the emphasized trustworthiness. After all, Formula One Technology is superior technology, and thus can be found reliable. Even if readers haven't heard of the name, the way in which it is stated is just boastful enough to resound in a mind as awe-inducing, and an awe-inducing boast must indeed logically be backed up by truth. "Traditional hand craftsmanship" even seems to scream "trust me!", for who doesn't automatically register a hand-crafted item as being not only artistic but perhaps perfected? It is a natural connotation of "hand craftsmanship." Also, "traditional" is a huge plus because although we may not see it so plainly, we, as humans, totally base our lifestyles off of traditions because it is in our nature to do so. Thus, tradional ways are so appealing in their comforting essence. The ad claims too that the motorcycles are "sold by a very select group of dealers." This emphasizes again that the quality is of the highest kind because its dealers are "select," a term so commonly associated with the best of the best. The article on the image goes on to state that "Cycle Canada Magazine called the new Sprint RS 'sublime'." This further proves the product's credentials because a motorcycle magazine, which must of course know all there is to know about motorcycles, would go as far to call their product "sublime"! And ethos doesn't stop there. The largest words on the ad, the ones that actually catch the attention of potential readers, state "The Empire Strikes Back," practically a joke, but such a clever one! The "Empire" can be seen metaphorically as the bike, and that is in most apparent terms of the aspect of power. This furthers the motorcycle's credentials in associating it with such a popular theme as Star Wars. Even the first words of the following article begin as did Star Wars. How witty!
Pathos, an appeal to the emotions, is visible in the ad in several ways as well. The motorcycles shown can all be seen as going very fast because the backgrounds are all blurry. This demonstrated speed incites excitement and even a taste for adventure or at least adrenaline. The pictures have all been shot at angles that make the motorcycles look extra dangerous just to provoke this enchanting excitement. Also, the article states "Fancy a bike with the pugnacious attitude of an English bulldog? The Speed Triple is your ride." Not only is this clever and slightly amusing, -humor which also appeals to emotions-, it targets prime audience. Obviously motorcycle customers are looking for adventure and speed or they would not be such customers. And anyone looking for a bike of adventure and speed would surely appreciate an analogy of a bike to a bulldog, as both have connotations of ferocity. A ferocious bike means a speedy one.
Logos, which seduces the reasoning human side, too is shown. The article says that "each Triumph is backed by a two-year unlimited mileage warranty." This is a plain fact of the benefits of buying the product. A customer will always be weighing the benefits and cons before buying, and the more benefits they detect the more likely they are to buy. It also states "each Triumph is crafted in the world's most modern motorcycle factory in the English midlands." This is another benefit because more modern typically indicates much better quality.
Ethos, pathos and logos have been utilized to such a degree of perfection in this advertisement that it's practically impossible to not buy a motorcycle after reading it.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Temptation
"Temptation" by Cradle of Filth is one of a plethora of their songs I love. Though not my very favorite, its message, or maybe it's just an observation really, is clear, spot on and ironically a bit tempting to love.
Temptation appears as human weakness, but also defines us. The song describes a temptation, or at least one worth giving into it, as 'an offer that cannot be ignored.' Yes, the benefits of the temptations must outweigh the cons, else no profit is made. But, a temptation is generally thought of as a bad thing, despite the fact that more benefits are made than taken away. Temptation seems to have a connotation of being wrong, immoral. And the benefits reaped typically are due to some immorality. Thus, the benefits only outweigh the cons if the perpetrator does not mind the immorality. The greatest decision is between indulging in what appears to be irresistible or ignoring the urge for sake of a clean conscience.
The song illustrates a temptation as causing the tempted to 'keep climbing higher and higher' in their desire. This escalating desire is the ultimate theme of the song. The power that it retains over us is overwhelming, and the song seems to make it fascinating. It does not portray a message that advocates turning away from the temptation or trying to get rid of it. Rather, it simply presents a temptation as something worth giving into if and only if the benefits are more than than the negative consequences, despite any moral issue. It's all too tempting to think this way.
Temptation appears as human weakness, but also defines us. The song describes a temptation, or at least one worth giving into it, as 'an offer that cannot be ignored.' Yes, the benefits of the temptations must outweigh the cons, else no profit is made. But, a temptation is generally thought of as a bad thing, despite the fact that more benefits are made than taken away. Temptation seems to have a connotation of being wrong, immoral. And the benefits reaped typically are due to some immorality. Thus, the benefits only outweigh the cons if the perpetrator does not mind the immorality. The greatest decision is between indulging in what appears to be irresistible or ignoring the urge for sake of a clean conscience.
The song illustrates a temptation as causing the tempted to 'keep climbing higher and higher' in their desire. This escalating desire is the ultimate theme of the song. The power that it retains over us is overwhelming, and the song seems to make it fascinating. It does not portray a message that advocates turning away from the temptation or trying to get rid of it. Rather, it simply presents a temptation as something worth giving into if and only if the benefits are more than than the negative consequences, despite any moral issue. It's all too tempting to think this way.
Idiocracy?
If I had to extract one from all of the movies I have ever seen to have been the most realistic as well as most rediculuos, the choice would not be one over which I'd need any time at all to contemplate. Idiocracy, another delightful product of Mike Judge, is the tale of our modern day Average Joe making his way into a far off but then again not-so-distant future. He emerges from a forgotten military experiment after 500 years of hibernation to meet a world of an average IQ equivalent to perhaps that of someone nowadays with down syndrome. Garbage overflows into cities because no one has figured out what to do with it, and water fountains have all had their water replaced with the new Gatorade, meaning if you drink water, you're the idiot. Costco is the new law school and Starbucks is the new means of prostitution. The number one movie in America is called Ass, and that is all it is. Absurd, but is such idiocy not already seeping into our society?
Not only is it pessimestic, but it's just downright blasphemous to humanity to draw such cruel accusations it seems. Humanity is better than that! Right? We've all been taught the wonders of evolution, and we've clinged our minds to these expectations of a future more civilized, intricate and technological. But, Idiocracy had sense in its predictions. The world must be logically becoming stupider because those of lesser intelligence have such a higher rate of reproduction than those of more intelligence, as is shown in the movie with examples of white trash reproduction rate vs. high class reproduction rate.
Evolution does function perfectly, with the exception of one flaw. Once a species reaches a certain level of technology, evolution no longer works. Because of the method of functionality our society has adopted, we have permitted natural selection to cease by preventing the consequences nature had always before bestown. The unfit cannot be killed off. Instead, because they are unfit, intelligence-wise of course (intelligence applies to physical state as well in this sense), they reproduce faster.
In Idiocracy, average Joe becomes the smartest person alive. So maybe it will take more than 500 years, but I can easily fathom the same future in which the best hospital is St. God's and the best tv show is "Ow, my balls!". I mean, look at Tosh.0.
Not only is it pessimestic, but it's just downright blasphemous to humanity to draw such cruel accusations it seems. Humanity is better than that! Right? We've all been taught the wonders of evolution, and we've clinged our minds to these expectations of a future more civilized, intricate and technological. But, Idiocracy had sense in its predictions. The world must be logically becoming stupider because those of lesser intelligence have such a higher rate of reproduction than those of more intelligence, as is shown in the movie with examples of white trash reproduction rate vs. high class reproduction rate.
Evolution does function perfectly, with the exception of one flaw. Once a species reaches a certain level of technology, evolution no longer works. Because of the method of functionality our society has adopted, we have permitted natural selection to cease by preventing the consequences nature had always before bestown. The unfit cannot be killed off. Instead, because they are unfit, intelligence-wise of course (intelligence applies to physical state as well in this sense), they reproduce faster.
In Idiocracy, average Joe becomes the smartest person alive. So maybe it will take more than 500 years, but I can easily fathom the same future in which the best hospital is St. God's and the best tv show is "Ow, my balls!". I mean, look at Tosh.0.
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