Blogcritics: Comments on The "Stepfordization" of America

Comment by E.E.A. Eaton

Fri, 11 Jun 2004 03:01:20 EDT

Eric asked an intriguing question. The originaly 1975 had an anti-conservative bias, so "Stepfordization" is usually used to refer to conservatives. (And making robots is expensive, again associated with the right). But in thinking up the longer answer I realized that there are quite a few films using similar metphors to refer to something like a "Stepfordization" on the left. I wanted to get in the Amazon ASINs, so that required a new post. It's located here. I suggest replies be moved to the new thread there.

Comment by bhw

Wed, 9 Jun 2004 08:25:26 EDT

Nice! Of course, I'm biased, but I agree with the author that Strepfordization more aptly describes the Right, in particular the far Right, better than even the far Left. That's because of the Right's authoritarianism and desire to maintain the status quo and existing power structures. I guess Stepfordization can be a substitute for any kind of group think, but I think it fits better as a metaphor for people in power who need 'bots to replace people who challenge that power.

Comment by Eric Olsen

Wed, 9 Jun 2004 07:46:55 EDT

EEA, exceptional job and I'm very pleased to welcome you to Blogcritics. I am not sure there is any greater stepfordization on the right, though, than on the left. Everyone seems to be locking on to "talking points" and striving to remain "on message" to the point where debates about many things are just excercises in code. Thanks again!