Part 9/14:
Drawing parallels to historical totalitarian regimes, the group reflects on how societal despair fosters authoritarianism. They cite examples from history—Hitler’s rise after WWI, the Chinese theocratic state, and even modern authoritarian trends—to underscore the fragility of democracy amid systemic failure.
They worry that societal apathy, misinformation, and the endless distraction of entertainment prevent meaningful resistance and adaptation. Dillon humorously suggests that civil war might be averted by consumer culture and entertainment, but acknowledges the danger of escalating violence if the system breaks down.