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In 1982, ‘Blade Runner’ introduced us to a bleak vision of what the year 2019 might look like: evil corporations rule the world, the planet is polluted beyond repair, and people suffer in destitute conditions.

But although 2019 passed without any androids running amok, we still live in a world not far from that idea. And it seems that this dystopic future has arrived sooner than expected.

Bored Panda has found the perfect subreddit that shows us examples of how we are living in this strange reality. r/ABoringDystopia holds a mirror up to our society and makes us feel uneasy over the influence of capitalism on our lives.

We’ve allowed these disturbing issues to happen without us realizing it, almost to the point that it’s become predictable. And this is where the term ‘boring dystopia’ comes from. You can read more about it from Bored Panda here and here

Read on to see my interview with John A. Lancaster and his expert take on the current state of the economy and the situation with COVID-19.

#1

"Who’s Going To Pay For It?"

"Who’s Going To Pay For It?"

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Nizzle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

america is a failed state. they took democracy but forgot the part where they're supposed to look after each other.

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The posts shared here emphasize how greed and a lack of empathy affect the daily lives of people worldwide. With the cost of living seemingly out of reach for the everyday person, we have to ask ourselves: how did things get so bad?

I asked John A. Lancaster what we should expect from the economy in the near future. Being a political commentator who gives straightforward and concise takes on the most controversial issues, John told Bored Panda, "Assuming there won't be any more lockdowns, a significant issue to worry about is the return of 'Industry Policy', which is basically the government subsidizing certain industries in hopes of spurring development and innovation in those industries."

He explained further about the issues that 'Industry Policy' can produce: "This means that vast amounts of funds can be (and practically always are) squandered on economically unpromising projects with little to no consequences to the government officials. These officials are going to get reimbursed with tax revenue regardless of how their subsides pan out financially."

John considers that 'Industrial Policy' is: "an extremely inefficient way to boost innovation that wastes immense amount of money and resources that would have been best left up to private firms."

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He also drives home the point about where the control of money lies. John notes that: "It's important to note that government funds come from the tax paying public. Whenever there is a push to 'stimulate' new jobs, money is being taken from the public and directed as bureaucrats and elected officials see fit. When this happens wealth is not being created, but redistributed."

#3

In America, We Got Celebrities Singing Imagine

In America, We Got Celebrities Singing Imagine

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#4

Pretty Weird...

Pretty Weird...

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Caro Caro
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, pumping money in to banks and corporations for what? jobs? pfffft they fired their people and a bonus was paid to .... drum roll ...

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So businesses under the 'Industry Policy' profited massively, whilst the people that needed help the most, struggled to survive and make ends meet.

Regarding the government's control of the finances, John also raised an important question: "If the general public would've preferred to spend their money in different ways than the government, then how beneficial are the government ventures and what was potentially sacrificed for those ventures?"

You can see from the ‘boring dystopia’ subreddit exactly how people across the globe have been affected. There’s the illogical ideas put forward by these businesses that are meant to help people, but do anything but that. And astounding hypocrisy of the rich and powerful.

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#6

Apparently Actually Reading A Bill Before You Vote Is Cause For Hilarity

Apparently Actually Reading A Bill Before You Vote Is Cause For Hilarity

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The president America should have had. At least he gives a s**t.

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#7

‘Murica

‘Murica

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Something
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are advantages and disadvantages both to socialized healthcare and to simple free market healthcare (though between the two, socialized healthcare wins). The neat thing about the private insurance system is that it combines the flaws of both, which is great if you really hate healthcare.

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It makes you think twice about who’s running the world and if they should really have this much power. These are some of our top selections from the subreddit. These examples are a cautionary reminder to reflect on society, and question what we should consider the norm. We hold the power to make a change to our society, so we should make it a positive one.

#8

You Think 4 Billion People Could Take The 8 In A Fight

You Think 4 Billion People Could Take The 8 In A Fight

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#9

When People Try To Act Like Companies It’s Illegal

When People Try To Act Like Companies It’s Illegal

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#11

You Can’t Afford A Home, But You Can Pay Rent

You Can’t Afford A Home, But You Can Pay Rent

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Hugh Willie Mungous
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, lenders should be FORCED to factor in the savings in rentals that would result when calculating affordability. It is ridiculous that the monies that will become available when rentals cease are not factored in to the calculation.

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#12

Seems About Right

Seems About Right

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Nannychachi
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My son works 2 jobs, in a store and on a garbage truck. We live in a small town and STILL had to gift him a small house that we own just so he can live on his own. He couldn't do it otherwise.

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#14

And Call People Back

And Call People Back

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Caroline Nagel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I once had a man from a firm tell me to come do an interview for a job he knew I was not qualified for and I had told him as much. I had to cycle about an hour to get there - no public transport, no car. He told me ' the cycle trip would do me good'. I cycled for an hour, got soaking wet and got told I was not qualified as soon as the interview started. I had to go as refusing could cost me my unemplyment benefit, which I couldn't afford. The power these people think they can wield over the unemployed. Psychopathic is the word I would use for these kind of people.

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#15

The Ruling Class Wins Either Way

The Ruling Class Wins Either Way

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#16

Why Did Blue Collar Become Unskilled Labor?

Why Did Blue Collar Become Unskilled Labor?

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#17

All Too Common

All Too Common

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Joi Cain
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure why white people say black people always play the race card. This is the ultimate race card but the racism is subliminal to whites and GLARING for black folks.

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#18

$280,000,000,000

$280,000,000,000

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In the UK it is going to Tory party donors, MP's friends etc

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#19

This Might Be Too Crazy But Hear Me Out, The System May Be Rigged

This Might Be Too Crazy But Hear Me Out, The System May Be Rigged

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M O'Connell
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When I was 10 years old I received a birthday present from an aunt of 1 share of McDonalds Corporation (~$12). To this day, the transaction fee for selling that 1 share would cost more than the share is worth, so I just enjoy my quarterly dividend check for $1.19.

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#21

What I Got For ‘Employee Appreciation’ After Working An Entire Year During A Pandemic

What I Got For ‘Employee Appreciation’ After Working An Entire Year During A Pandemic

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#22

Did You Know We Don't Pay Our Servers A Living Wage?

Did You Know We Don't Pay Our Servers A Living Wage?

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Something
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone should agree that this should be illegal. Nothing about this system works.

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#23

Bc Itd Be Just Horrible If Homeless People Were Allowed To Sleep

Bc Itd Be Just Horrible If Homeless People Were Allowed To Sleep

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's time to end this horrible trend of making life harder for those whose life is hard enough already. Those are human beings people!

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#24

They Used The Key Word

They Used The Key Word

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renee brack
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's what astounds me about Americans who don't / won't / haven't travelled to see how good life is in other parts of the world. They cling to ideas that are not true like children told fairytales they believe as real. It's bizarre. And sad for them.

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#25

Billionaires

Billionaires

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Miss Frankfurter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Really people! Do you actually need a new iPhone every 5 minutes? Apple and their upper echelon just get richer and richer because you fall for it. Learn to spend money on needs not wants. Do it now. Because if you keep doing this you may need to learn to do that the hard way. Your not the one accumulating all the money here. They are.

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#26

Look At The Bright Side

Look At The Bright Side

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troufaki13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

With all those fires burning down the trees along with over-lumbering and deforestation, I think this is the the beginning of the hottest summers we will experience :(

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#27

Glad Critical Medical Care Is Being Taken Care Of By Private Companies That Definitely Give A Sh*t

Glad Critical Medical Care Is Being Taken Care Of By Private Companies That Definitely Give A Sh*t

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Barnet council in the UK outsourced most of their functions/services to a private company. It has been nothing but a disaster. That's what happens when profit is the main driver.

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#28

The Truth

The Truth

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SlartyBlartFast
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I work more hours, am calmer and significantly more productive since work from home started (March 2020) and has been going on since and is an obvious improvement. Yet the company now (at start of Delta variant, looking fwd to Lambda variant) makes me go to the office at least two days, where I will work 8 hrs (and not a minute more, trust me), will be worried about people coughing on me, will spend two hours in traffic....I can go on

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#29

Casual Price Gouging

Casual Price Gouging

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#30

Which Timeline Is This???

Which Timeline Is This???

"Bruh Walmart has removed nearly all of their stock of video games except for those rated E for Everyone but still has the audacity to keep their entire gun section"

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Note: this post originally had 57 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

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