(no subject)

[silvane91.livejournal.com]

I had a strange thought: Cybertron, in many verses, was portrayed as a society torn apart by class distinctions and severely dysfunctional distribution of power. The Decepticons were originally the underclass rising up against a 'decadent' society. Gladiators, low class workers, dock workers, etcetera, etcetera. Back in the 18th century, Americans were the underclass rising up against a 'decadent' society. Colonists, religious separatists,  traders, etcetera, etcetera.Both groups were/are fighting to upset the status quo, not preserve it. Philosophically, the Autobots probably wouldn't have supported the American revolution, and the Decepticons would have. Considering how well America done for itself, even with all our problems, I can see this being an uncomfortable parallel for everyone- humans, Autobots and Decepticons alike. Anyone want to explore this?

Comments

[cindy-73.livejournal.com]

Very intriguing. It all makes sense now. Starscream for president anyone??? But seriously though, you do have a very valid and interesting point. There has been a little hippity hop nibbling in my head for over a year now about the Seekers going on patrol like in all those Vietnam movies with hippie music playing in the background. Don't ask me why, that damn image always pops in my head when I hear hippie music and I like hippie music.

[silvane91.livejournal.com]

Blame Skywarp. He's always struck me as the type to play hippie music, especially set to a background of fire and explosions. He's just... Skywarp like that. and, Yes! Starscream for president. *Waves '08 flag*

[zeroxgirl1201.livejournal.com]

You have no idea how much that interests me. I hate real politics, but I love fantasy politics. I've thought about it a little bit, but I never gave it too much thought because, you know, they're the bad guys and I do like them that way. This gives me another excuse to ponder it. Nothing might ever come of it, but if I do end up drabbling it or something, I'll post a link.

Also would vote for Starscream!! On that note, I saw a shirt in Hot Topic that said: "Megatron for president: Why vote for a lesser evil?" It made me smile.

[silvane91.livejournal.com]

Thanks! and I'm totally getting that shirt. It sums up everything I feel about politics. Someone should make a Starscream for Prez icon. Wish I do more then stick figures.

[daftedly.livejournal.com]

*has that T-shirt* >D

[corax-onyx.livejournal.com]

While I think your basic premise is sound, I'd be inclined to more closely compare Cybertron to pre-Revolutionary France than Colonial America. The important distinction, when framing the Deception uprising as a class struggle ala Megatron: Origin, is that the American colonies suffered under colonial rule not because of a corrupt aristocracy, but because of the nature of the colonial system. They were a loose collection of fringe groups, asylum seekers, criminals and captialists seeking to exploit the resources of the newly opened territories. Pre-Revolution France was burdened with a corrupt and extravagant aristocracy and their revolution was much more bloody than the one in the US, although the leaders in France claimed to be inspired by the ideas of the Founding Fathers. Think of Megatron as a Robespierre who morphs into Napoleon instead of dying and he makes a lot more sense than a George Washington gone wrong.

[silvane91.livejournal.com]

Good point. I framed it more as American because I know American history better, so that was the natural connection, but you're right, from what I remember from history. France is a better parallel. *Goes off to explore Wikipedia on french history*

[lady-oneiros.livejournal.com]

I've always been intrigued by how the Decepticon-Autobot war got started, and I tend to bend canon to near unrecognizable proportions in order to play with it. However, I've always seen the war as more civil-war type conflict, rather than revolutionary, especially in 2007 movieverse, since there, Megatron and Optimus Prime were co-rulers. Motives for revolution are generally the same: hope, ambition, greed, fear, lust, envy, hatred of order, fanatic fervor, love of destruction. This certainly works in 'verses other than 2007 movie (at least in my mind). Though, like I said, for movieverse, I see the conflict as civil war: the result of two uncompromising positions in a dispute related to culture, government, religion, and so on and so on. The American Civil War of course, being an example, with South Carolina leading the secession--quite similar to Megatron's break from Optimus. My favorite quote that summarizes the very beginning of war: "What followed had less to do with a state of war than with a state of hysteria."

But I do like your thoughts, and I shall attempt to play with them. Way to prompt discussion and fic ideas! ^_^