this post was submitted on 02 May 2026
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Eugenics has always been a popular idea, all you have to do is call it something else.
In internet culture, the movie Idiocracy (2006) is extremely popular and the most common sentiment is that it's coming true. It's a cute move, but it's central premise is Eugenics: the idea that if humans are allowed to breed naturally, it'll lead to societal collapse. There are so many online people who think that movie represents how evolution works. It's scary.
I highly doubt Idiocracy central premise is eugenics.
I would argue that, the dangers of convenience, cults of personality and overall enshitification are.
~~Nowhere in the movie is that even hinted at.~~
One of its premises is that people will get dumber and even more sedentary if tech capitalism is allowed to take over the world, unfettered, probably including education and possibly even healthcare (no, the movie itself doesn't even go to such detail).
~~If you equate that to Egenics you should take a good look in the mirror: only genes can make people dumb & fat? Is that what you're saying?~~
It's not a perfect movie, but we are seeing similar effects all around us. There's a good reason "It's got what plants crave" became a popular meme.
The opening scene tells the viewer the decline in intelligence in the future is due to the less educated/intelligent reproducing more, that's getting rather close to eugenics.
I don't think this was intended as more than just a handwave argument as an explanation for the plot necessary premise of people being stupid in the future (i.e. it's not something to get offended over) but it is mentioned nonetheless.
You could take genes out of the picture and the story would hold. Just assume people raised by impulsive parents distracted by 8 other kids are more likely to repeat the cycle. Contrary to supporting eugenics, that idea is inclusive and powers progressive welfare reform.
"I'm gonna fuck all ya'll!"
Fair point.