What is the new Opiate of the Masses?

Question

Marx (Karl, not Groucho!) said that religion was the opiate of the masses. In today's hedonistic and secular world, do you think technology has become the new opiate? So long as people have their ipods and internet and cell phones that do everything but defibrilate, do they really care about who's government is doing what to whom and why?

Answer 1

Celebrities... and media. OR BOTH ie anna nicole smith (Respectfully RIP but should it have been as as big a news story when we are at WAR?)

Answer 2

First of all, I respectly disagree with dear Mr. Marx that religion is and was an opiate, but the idea that people can be lulled into a deceptive state of security is accurate.

The people's opiate today is "religious pluralism" (religious relativism) which is the idea that everyone finds his own truth and no one can make right/wrong judgments about the beliefs of another.

"Live and let live" is another way to say it. This philosphy lulls people into believing that whatever they do is ok, and to hell with the other guy as long as he doesn't stop you from doing whatever you want.

This is a powerful opiate because it gives people a false sense of security - they think they are ok living this way and that there will be no consequences.

It dulls the conscience and opens the floodgates of selfishness, immorality and hate.

This opiate serves to justify any type of behavior, even the most base and cruel acts.

Answer 3

Not technology. The new opiate of the masses would be the fourth branch of the government. The Media. It has so much control over the masses that people care ten times more about Angelina Jolie's kids than they do about hundreds of thousands of their own citizens dying over one of the most elaborate lies in history. No one cares about the state of the world, but they'll religiously tune into Idol every week, to see who gets voted off. I know that the media is an excellent tool for communication, but too many people on this planet worship the idiot box, and that's wrong. Seriously.

Answer 4

I think that religion is still the opiate. Religion, though less influencial than it once was, still seems to dominate the American landscape. Though many people from the coasts have tried to become more aware of things that are going on, and forming their own opinions, it still seemst that most of the US is still taking orders from the pulpit. Most people still seem unwilling to hear other peoples views and get involved in politics outside of the wishes of their faith. I think that the Iraq war is a good example of how a large number of religious thinkers can be banded together to achieve results that they haven't given a second thought to. These people are told that we are in danger and that these other people hate their faith and that it is their duty to go out and fix these evils. They believe what they hear, because the message is entangled in the message of christianity, which as Nietzsche alluded to, is something that sounds good to the average person, it gives them power. Thus, the priestly class, and those that know how to wield theological power (i.e. George Bush) are able to use this mass of people that want nothing other than to be enpowered. They think that they are being represented and their welfare looked after, but they cannot see outside of the faith they are enbroiled in, thus they cannot reason things as good or bad, but as God or not God. And the only way for them to reason this way is by following the mandates of their religious leaders, who rule through fear.

Answer 5

I reckon Karl's still right - in the US at least - judging by the figures. There, and in many other parts of the world, a system has been set up that keeps people ignorant of the complex facts, and feeds them simplistic, comforting nonsense. This makes them malleable and docile, but ready to rise up at a moment's notice in righteous anger to defend their right to be wrong - and kill for it if necessary.

It'll be a long time before any technological distractions can match this one great force for evil.

CD

Answer 6

...for many it does seem to be technology, though I think that it certainly varies. I think that it's harder for us to generalize a single "opiate" in the modern western world, as it seems we are so easily pacified by whatever pleases us. as you mentioned, we are almost entirely an hedonistic society. For many, religion still does serve its purpose as it did in Marx's day, but for many others the same purpose is accomplished by any number of distractions: entertainment, information, video games, or luxury, though this is a little tougher to argue. while the acquisation of riches certainly pacifies some to ignorance, too many times, it serves rather to initiate them into the political circle, where their primary objective becomes retaining that wealth.

Answer 7

That's a thought provoking question. To me, a couple of good choices seem high on the list. One of these is related to technology.

1) Hate causes people to be blinded and easily controlled. Like an opiate it's addictive. There are many examples today of people using hate to further their own agenda.

2) Prosperity tends to cause people to relax and not pay attention to what is happening in the world. It dulls their senses.

Answer 8

Secularism is not as wide spread as you might think. As a matter of fact, it is very much in the minority. Prevalent mostly among the intelligentsia. Since that number is decreasing, so is secularism.

That bastion of freedom, our public schools, have come under such savage assaults from the religious right, that our traditional freedoms of free speech as well as our thoughts are in danger of being smothered. All the while dumbing down our children into mindless peasants that only know to do as they are told.

Answer 9

Reality T.V. You can change the channel without finding a show in which average people are pitted against each other to win some pathetic prize.

Answer 10

Probably the internet as it combines almost everything else.