The mythology of freedom

In my half century plus of observing human affairs, particularly in my own country, I've seen a trend that disturbs me. Our common perception of personal freedom has increased as our real freedom has decreased. Thus we can give our opinions to millions of others on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, on cable TV shows, on home pages on the Internet; and yet in real terms, money terms, freedom of movement terms, choices of products terms, choices of health care and education and employment, our actual freedom is less than in past eras.

I've been brooding about something else recently, which speaks to this trend: the film AVATAR. AVATAR is a fantasy, even a brilliant fantasy. In it, Noble Savages defeat Big Corporations. The People win. This tale, which is as popular as any tale ever told, is financed by a Big Corporation that makes zillions on the telling, thus reinforcing its own financial power. In other words, we make the People feel good with a nice story that they are powerful even as we reinforce our own power, the very same power that decreases the options and freedom of the masses. This out-Orwells Orwell in its frightening ramifications.

I happen to have great faith in the People in the long run. There already is considerable anger in the land, though the vast majority of it is directed at the wrong enemy. Government isn't the enemy. Government, in fact, is controlled by the real enemy today, the lobbyists representing Big Corporations. We should be backing government to curtail corporate power, not misrepresenting a corporate-controlled government as being something it isn't. Government isn't too big. It's too powerless.

When real change happens, it will happen as it has always happened historically: with bloodshed and revolution. Jefferson understood this. Anyone who reads history should understand it. Even non-violent revolutions, like Ghandi's, result in bloodshed. I don't see change happening any other way. I, like many, hoped Obama might actually create a new political tone in the center of government but an obstructionist opposition has made sure this won't happen unless Obama radically rises to the occasion, walking his own talk, which thus far he has been reluctant to do. Maybe in desperation he'll come around. I'm not hopeful he will but I'd love to be surprised. Change within the system is theoretically possible but it will take an aggressive charismatic leader in charge, and Obama has the tools to do this. He doesn't seem to have the back bone or the will.

So things will continue to get worse until one day, it's bloodshed, and history plays out its usual dance of fundamental change. I don't expect to be around to witness this.

But AVATAR -- and I don't think James Cameron set out to do this or is even aware of the irony he has created -- is brilliant the way ANIMAL FARM is brilliant, by creating a mythology of freedom, a popular tale of the small guys winning against the big guys, in a form so successful that it reinforces the big guys' real power. History, as Joyce noted, is a nightmare from which we try to recover.