Entry One: Etracene – A Journey Through Dystopia and Sound
Oct 4, 2024, "Etracene"
Greetings to all seekers, near and far! I’m deeply grateful you've chosen to embark on this journey with me. This first post explores Etracene by Science and Tears, a song inspired by the dystopian world of THX 1138. Recently, I’ve been reflecting on how to fuse my musical pursuits with my many curiosities into a cohesive expression. As a writer, musician, and lifelong sci-fi enthusiast, I’m often drawn to the big questions that shape both fiction and reality. Science fiction, with its boundless horizons, pushes us to confront the profound—philosophy, space exploration, God, and the relentless march toward transhumanism. In this space, I’ll delve into not only the books and concepts that fuel these reflections but also the unsettling parallels between today’s culture and the dystopian futures we once imagined were far off. As I work on my first novel—shared here in due time—I invite you to join me on this philosophical and musical adventure where imagination meets the ever-evolving reality we inhabit.
“We do not destroy the heretic because he resists us…We convert him, we capture his inner mind, we reshape him.”– George Orwell
In George Lucas' THX 1138, the drug Etracene symbolizes the quiet erosion of the human spirit, rendering individuals numb and docile in a world where consumerism and control are the pillars of society. Here, individuality is not only discouraged but systematically erased, with citizens reduced to indistinguishable beings, adorned in sterile white suits, their heads shorn of identity. It echoes the ominous warning of Brave New World, where the illusion of progress and well-being through chemistry conceals a vast, insidious collaboration between state and corporation, intent on creating docile masses—mere "sheep." As I contemplate this fictional landscape, I am drawn to a troubling question: Are we, too, slipping toward such a fate, where comfort and conformity supplant freedom and thought? Let us delve deeper into how this dystopian theme resonates with the very currents of our own history, tracing the lines between imagination and reality.
Are We Heading Toward a THX 1138 Dystopia?
With the rapid expansion of government surveillance and the subtle “or not-so-subtle” manipulation of information, we face growing concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms. The future depicted in THX 1138 presents a chilling possibility where the state controls not just behavior but the human mind itself. By constantly hearing something repeated, the mind begins to accept it as true—whether it is or not. This manipulation of perception reflects the unsettling reality explored in THX 1138 and forms the foundation of the track Etracene.
Etracene symbolizes more than just sedation; it’s a metaphor for the distractions that dull critical thinking in modern society. From mass media to consumer culture, we are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage conformity over individuality. Is this sedative effect a step toward a government-driven dystopia? Are our minds already being shaped by forces we barely notice?
Etracene, the track by Science & Tears, draws inspiration from these themes, offering a sonic exploration of a world where control, conformity, and mental manipulation have become the norm. The ambient sounds and atmospheric beats evoke a sense of paranoia, a reflection on what might come if we don’t question the systems that govern our lives.
Blending ambient chill with futuristic undertones, the release includes three distinct versions:
Etracene: The original ambient track, steeped in otherworldly textures. S&T
Etracene: Remix by Man From Another Place: A pulsating drum and bass rework, adding intense energy. Man From Another Place
Etracene: Remix by GGRRR: A melodic techno interpretation, channeling deep, hypnotic grooves. GGRRR
Each version reflects Science & Tears' fascination with the unknown and the futuristic. Are the mind and soul the final frontier of government control?
Stranger Than Fiction: A Brief History of Mind Control:
Throughout history, governments and regimes have explored various methods to manipulate human behavior, including the use of sedatives and drugs. These tools were often employed to pacify populations or exert control over individuals. Here are some of the most notable examples:
Soviet Union: The USSR used psychiatric hospitals to subdue political dissidents, administering drugs that sedated and incapacitated them under the guise of mental health treatment. In some cases, dissidents or those seen as problematic were given tranquilizers such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine) to dull emotions and render individuals passive. These drugs were also sometimes used in prisons and psychiatric institutions to control behavior.
Nazi Germany: During WWII, methamphetamine (Pervitin) was given to soldiers to increase endurance and reduce the need for sleep, with the unintended effect of addiction and emotional numbness.
MKUltra (USA): Project MKUltra was a human experimentation program designed and undertaken by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the 1950s and 60s. It aimed to develop procedures and identify drugs, like LSD, to weaken individuals during interrogations, forcing confessions through brainwashing and psychological torture. The program used unsuspecting subjects and explored methods for mind control and behavior modification.1
North Korea: It has been reported that the North Korean government has distributed methamphetamine among its population, potentially as a way to control behavior and maintain social order in a famine-stricken nation.
China: While not officially acknowledged, there are ongoing allegations of mind-altering drugs being used in Chinese reeducation camps to suppress resistance, particularly against ethnic minorities like the Uyghurs.
These examples reveal a history of governments’ attempting to manipulate their citizens using drugs, often under the guise of maintaining order, but with devastating personal and societal consequences.
Do we still have time to reclaim our individuality before it’s too late?
“If you feel you are not properly sedated, call 348-844 immediately. Failure to do so may result in prosecution for criminal drug evasion.” THX1138
Recommended books/articles for a deeper study into mind control
There are several notable science fiction books that explore themes of mind control, including parallels to MK-Ultra, the controversial CIA program that experimented with mind manipulation. Here are some famous examples:
"1984" by George Orwell
One of the most iconic works on mind control, Orwell’s 1984 presents a dystopian world where "Big Brother" exercises totalitarian control over individuals, including manipulating their thoughts and memories through propaganda, surveillance, and fear."Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley
In Huxley's novel, society controls its citizens through a combination of mind-altering drugs, conditioning, and propaganda. Soma, the drug used to pacify the population, resonates with real-world concerns about psychological manipulation and societal control, similar to MK-Ultra’s experimentation with substances like LSD."The Manchurian Candidate" by Richard Condon
Though more political thriller than science fiction, this book dives deep into mind control and brainwashing, a concept popularized during the Cold War. It mirrors the fears surrounding programs like MK-Ultra, where individuals were reportedly manipulated into acting against their own will."A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess
Burgess explores the theme of psychological conditioning through the “Ludovico Technique,” a form of aversion therapy that brainwashes the protagonist into abhorring violence. This novel grapples with the ethics of mind control and free will, mirroring real-world debates on coercive methods used for behavioral modification."We" by Yevgeny Zamyatin
Set in a dystopian future, We explores a society where the state exerts total control over the population, including their thoughts and desires. Though written before the era of MK-Ultra, Zamyatin's depiction of state-sponsored mind control echoes concerns about government overreach in human psychology."Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said" by Philip K. Dick
Known for his paranoid, reality-bending narratives, Philip K. Dick frequently explored themes of mental manipulation. In this novel, the government employs advanced surveillance and psychological control to maintain order, reflecting anxieties about mind control in an authoritarian society."The Mind Parasites" by Colin Wilson
This novel presents a hidden race of entities that subtly influence human minds, controlling individuals' thoughts and emotions without their awareness. It can be seen as a metaphor for unseen forces (akin to the covert nature of MK-Ultra) manipulating the psyche from behind the scenes.
Lastly, Jay Dyer and Daniel Estulin have extensively researched this area. Check them out if you want to go deeper.
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References:
Source: United States Congress Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1977). Project MKUltra, the CIA's Program of Research in Behavioral Modification. U.S.