A rchive Date
[ 15-08-2000 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Mass Media ]
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[Marx: The ultimate survivor?
Communists turn on their own - just like those distasteful people on the TV island
By PETER WORTHINGTON -- Toronto Sun
August 15, 2000
I can't recall any TV program I found more offensive than CBS' Survivor when it first went on the air - phony, implausible, not very interesting.
The cast of characters was hopelessly unappealing, and I was appalled at the idea of voting to expel one member every week. That seemed degrading and mortifying. Even watching it made you a de facto participant in embarrassment and humiliation.
My wife, however, was immediately hooked. So was most of America and Canada, and certainly newspapers which treat each episode as "news," as do radio and TV commentators. Survivor is clearly a mega-hit.
Gradually, almost in self-defence, I've become more involved, if only to have valid discussions (arguments) with my wife over the merits of "surviving." I even solicited the views of my daughter and son-in-law, whose opinions I value, but they rather snobbishly denied watching Survivor, which is a bit irritating because as a social phenomenon they should know about it. After all, they watch Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, and what could be more mundane than that? Son-in-law David, of course, knows the answer to every question - without a lifeline. (Little joke.)
Over the last month my views on Survivor have changed. While still appalled, I now find the program intriguing and instructive. What we are seeing on this dreadful, manipulative show where the last surviving member gets $1 million, is an allegory of communism, and how that malignant system functions.
Rat pack philosophy
Survivor is not about the fittest, but the weakest and most devious. When you think about it, communism is a creed for losers - a rat pack philosophy that gangs up on those who are capable, individualistic, independent, self-sufficient. Communism (Marxism) exploits the worst in human nature. Like Survivor.
Camouflaged as compassion for the masses, communism appeals to the envious and ambitious who lack confidence. When expediency warrants, communists turn on their own - just like those distasteful people on the TV island.
Over the weeks on Survivor the weak ones have ganged up against the strong ones. Gervase, the lazy, unmarried father of four who won the athletic contests, was bounced simply because he was too good. Vacuous Greg, self-contained and able, was also bounced. Colleen, the nicest and most decent, also was expelled.
The old guy, Rudy, abrasive and competent, has survived longer than he should have because, like a commie who feels vulnerable, he adjusted, made himself inconspicuous, blended with the group. The old Soviet Union was filled with such survivors - people who abdicated a leadership role in order not to threaten those in power. Collective subservience is safer than individual initiative.
Richard, the plump homosexual who likes to strut naked, is smart, manipulative, devious, selfish, controlling - reminiscent of a communist boss. In appearance and demeanour, he reminds me of Napoleon in George Orwell's classic fable on totalitarianism, Animal Farm.
In Survivor's "alliance" of one tribe against the other, by bloc voting to ensure that those not in the alliance get ousted first, you've got the essence of Bolshevism, or communist ratpack mentality to ensure survival of the least fit and bring down the strong.
When one of the outsiders (Colleen, I think) tried to organize against the alliance, she had little luck. Her concerns were pooh-poohed. Others felt their passive natures guaranteed them immunity - the fools. Does that not sound like Lenin's "useful idiots?"
In a real survival situation, resourceful individuals would flourish because they'd be necessary for the group's survival. In pretend TV, the able are a threat, and must be brought down.
Offer from Playboy
Circling the non-survivors who are voted off the island are the sharks of capitalism, looking for pickings. Those expelled go on TV interview shows with Larry King, Bryant Gumbel, etc. Some, like the whining, weeping, smug Jenna, are offered cash to strip for Playboy - the apex of lowlife culture.
The only one worth anything is Colleen (who rejected Playboy's offer) and was uncomfortable ganging up on fellow islanders. So she had to go. Kind of useless, Colleen was friendly and likeable, which her ex-compatriots aren't.
Anyway, once you realize that Survivor can be viewed as an allegory of how communism works, and why it was so degrading and destructive, the show takes on a different dimension.
My initial repugnance at demeaning and publicly humiliating someone each week (like Communist party group criticisms), relates to my own revulsion for the communist creed.
That said, there are still Marxists around who think (or pretend) their dogma is uplifting and idealistic - and best for the masses whom they secretly despise and regard as inferior.
In fact, it is they who are insecure bullies and selfish manipulators. Like Richard on Survivor.
Letters to the editor should be sent to editor@sunpub.com Worthington appears Tuesdays, Thursdays
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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