Why are Dystopias so popular?

Question

As far as I'm concerned, a brillant future is extremely likely. Why all the naysayers. None of that stuff ever comes true, anyway.

Is it like a horror movie? People like to be scared?

P.S.: Spare me of pointing out specific things and say: "This is like in 1984". It is usually not, as a closer reading of the source material might reveal.

Answer 1

Personally, I enjoy distyopian novels because it's interesting to see what other people think will become of the world. For instance, in Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," her level of feminism is amazing. And, sadly, it's not that difficult to imagine. I don't think it's like a horror movie insofar as scaring people- more of an education. For me, dystopian novels are a wake-up call to the ways the world may be. I'm sure not everyone else enjoys them for this reason, but that's certainly why I do. I'm sure this will get me a thumbs down, but it's slightly condescending and rude to tell people how to answer your question. Most people who have read 1984 understand what the "source material" reveals. I'm smart too, but maybe someone would say "this is like 1984" to explain to other people what a dystopian novel is. Not everyone knows.

Answer 2

Not all dystopian novels are scary-I read most of Ayn Rand's books (Atlas Shrugged, Anthem) and I don't remember finding them frightening..at the time, I found them quite exhilarating

Fahrenheit 451 is frightening, but hopeful, since even though it's a crazy thing to do, the firefighter does read the books he's suppose to burn..so even the most indoctrinated "soldier" could be turned away from their "work"...but you're right, people aren't burning books, they're just banning them..

I adore Octavia Butler's books since even though some of her novels paint the future as terrifying, she makes a point to show how people could still survive, in a totally different type of world (Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents). I think she is so interesting since her vision of the future is so different than the typical sci-fi/dystopia writer..she doesn't present a simplistic view that is just another reworking of our present society.

Now The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent is depressing as heck..no matter what, the future is bleak for men and women in the novel. Now on the other hand, Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman is considered a utopian novel, yet it has been accused of being racist and sexist, even misandric..so even utopia's have been accused of being "dark".. if they present society in an unpopular way (isolationist and feminist, in this case)