Contemplating the firing of Tucker Carlson, the most popular political commentator in America, reminds me of 1975 film “Rollerball.” I thought I might explore this a bit.
In the film “Rollerball,” society is controlled by corporations that have replaced traditional governments. The film follows a professional athlete named Jonathan E. (played by James Caan) who competes in a violent sport known as Rollerball, which is used by the corporations to control the masses and prevent rebellion.
In many ways, the world depicted in “Rollerball” is similar to the world of modern media, where large corporations and media conglomerates control the narrative and shape public opinion. The firing of Tucker Carlson, who is known for his conservative views and criticism of mainstream media, could be seen as an example of how the media conglomerates maintain their control and silence opposing viewpoints.
Just as Rollerball is used to distract and pacify the masses, the media can be used to distract and manipulate public opinion. By controlling the narrative and limiting the diversity of opinions in the media, corporations and media conglomerates can maintain their power and prevent the masses from rising up against them. This is not just Fox. Bezos and the Washington Post is another example. CNN, MSNBC and other could be included as well.
Another similarity between the film and the firing of Tucker Carlson is the role of the individual in society. In “Rollerball,” the protagonist Jonathan E. represents the power of the individual to challenge the status quo and fight against the forces of oppression. Similarly, Tucker Carlson represents the power of the individual to speak out against the mainstream media and challenge the dominant narrative.
However, just as Jonathan E. faces opposition from the corporations in “Rollerball,” Tucker Carlson faces opposition from the mainstream media and their supporters who seek to silence his voice and maintain their control over the narrative.
While the world depicted in “Rollerball” may seem like a far-off dystopian future, the film serves as a warning of the dangers of allowing corporate control over the media and the importance of maintaining a diversity of opinions and voices.
Worth watching again.