The narratives presented in mainstream entertainment can offer us insight into the collective psyche of societies, nations, and cultures. During periods of peace or prosperity, these tales tend to be contemplative and thought-provoking, challenging conventional notions and opening up philosophical dialogue. We find this to be the case as when people feel more secure, they are more likely to engage with complex narratives. However, during times of economic hardship or war, these stories shift towards themes of individual heroism against a common enemy, with clear lines drawn between the “good” and the “bad” sides.

Moreover, stories can reveal a society’s underlying principles and values. Cultures that value individualism and self-reliance often feature narratives that highlight these qualities. For instance, characters frequently ask, "Do you trust me?" before embarking on solo missions to save the day. There is also a significant emphasis on respecting personal desires, even at the expense of one's own well-being, highlighting a societal emphasis on negative liberty. Similarly, plotlines that stem from poor communication are a recurring theme that audiences are all too familiar with.

Stereotypes and Cultural Enemies

Examining character roles as allies or adversaries in media can offer insights into societal changes and values. The motif of zombies, present in movies and TV for decades, reflects concerns about pandemics, the environment, and political volatility. The resurgence of zombie narratives during real-world outbreaks and crises reflects collective anxiety over existential threats. Diverse portrayals of zombies, from mindless beasts to sympathetic victims, reflect ongoing dialogues about consciousness and identity. Portraying zombies consuming humans prompts questions about consciousness and the boundary between life and death, while depicting them as victims raise discussions about agency and ethics.

Depicting certain nationalities or identities as villains in stories significantly impacts public perceptions, regardless of the creators' intentions. This practice ingrains the idea that these groups are inherently antagonistic. For instance, historical spy thrillers during the Cold War era portrayed specific cultures as monolithic foes, shaping public opinion through simplified geopolitical views that last until this day. Unfortunately, this can lead to biased interactions and unwarranted prejudices in daily life. For example, the period during which Middle Eastern characters became typecast as terrorists in action films.

The Other, a.k.a. the Big Bad

In many movies and TV shows, a common theme is portraying individuals or organisations as embodiments of evil. This storytelling technique creates a clear divide between the good and bad, resonating with audiences and rallying support for the hero or antihero. However, this prevalent narrative approach deserves closer scrutiny. For example, the classic supervillain in superhero films where the antagonist epitomises evil, driving the hero to thwart their nefarious plans. While this approach simplifies moral storytelling, it can mask deeper layers of complexity.

When such a binary and exaggerated depiction becomes the norm across many narratives, it can cultivate an oversimplified understanding of the world. The tendency to label individuals or groups as "good" or "evil" neglects the intricate nuances of motivations, material conditions, and the grey areas in between. This black-and-white narrative construction might lead to an erosion of empathy and an inclination to view real-world conflicts through a reductionist lens, such as what we see in online forums discussing current conflicts.

Consider how political opponents are often depicted in fiction as power-hungry villains, neglecting the intricate factors influencing political decisions. Excessive exposure to such simplified portrayals can unintentionally shape similar thinking in real-life situations, hindering meaningful discussions and perpetuating divisions. For instance, a film portraying a political rival as solely evil disregards the intricate interplay of ideologies, historical context, and material circumstances. Then we are surprised when real-life political parties cast themselves as heroes while labelling opponents as enemies. Media outlets, often favouring one side, further extend this narrative.

Pseudo-Historical Narratives

Frequently, we see the rise of pseudo-historical narratives, also known as dramatised stories, as shown in everything from Oppenheimer to Schindler's List. These narratives can inadvertently oversimplify history to align with current political agendas. This involves reshaping or fictionalising historical events and figures, simplifying complex matters and reinforcing prevailing political narratives.

Creators of dramatised narratives tend to highlight aspects of history that align with their political views while downplaying conflicting details. This selective emphasis reinforces the desired narrative but overlooks the intricate tapestry of history, ignoring multifaceted actions, individual motivations, and the complex web of powers and influence. This simplistic approach obscures the complexity of events, trading a nuanced understanding for a simplistic almost “good versus evil” approach.

Pseudo-historical narratives also fuel stereotypes, reducing historical societies or groups into narrow roles that perpetuate biases. This reductionist portrayal distorts historical intricacies, and bolsters skewed viewpoints. For example, the "noble savage" trope idealises native cultures while portraying them as primitive and uncivilised, failing to capture nuanced historical interactions. Another recurring trope involves American exceptionalism, where a character brings flawed views to a new setting, eventually convincing others to follow suit despite their own personal lack of growth throughout the tale. This simplification of cultural dynamics ignores diverse perspectives.

Moreover, pseudo-historical narratives manipulate historical memory to align with current issues, oversimplifying past situations and disregarding unique historical contexts. This blurs the distinction between then and now, omitting crucial historical context necessary for comprehensive understanding as we project our current values onto the past. Consequently, the rich cultural, social, and economic nuances that shape history are overlooked in favour of a simplified message, usually one of emphasised personal struggle.

The Hero's Journey

The upcoming release of Dune: Part Two has been on my mind recently, which, like its main competition for the space opera genre, Star Wars, gets a lot of criticism from me about its story structure and themes. While I look forward to what will likely be a wonderful cinematic experience, I'm also hesitant. The original Dune novels, masterpieces that fundamentally defined a genre, are now simply yet another fantasy narrative centred around interlocking family feuds within an expansive galactic empire. While the tale retains its commendable aspects, its allure and novelty have waned with time.

We need to move beyond the confines of convention, generating novel constructs that both challenge and enrich our mental landscapes. Many sagas portraying young men fulfilling preordained prophecies, asserting their "rightful" claims, and rescuing oppressed masses have long occupied the stage, within the science fiction genre and beyond. We should aim to transcend these oversimplified and antiquated narratives. An opportunity lies in immersing ourselves in the labyrinthine intrigues of interstellar diplomacy — a domain mirroring the evolution of our own society rather than an echo of bygone epochs.

We could create stories exploring the intricate details of interplanetary economics and the complex relationships between planets and nations. We could carefully analyse each planet's challenges and possibilities for working together to overcome common difficulties. Exploring how technological advancements affect how planets interact could also be fascinating. By looking at the differences in how planets have their own rules and cultures, we can uncover a politically charged environment, tracing the factors that lead to conflicts and the strategies used to find solutions.

Elevating our narrative beyond the tropes of the monomyth, we unearth a treasure trove in the complexities of interstellar governance, and that's merely a starting point for weaving a tale both enthralling and contemplative. It's an invitation to audiences, a challenge to appraise our surroundings critically, come to terms with the consequences of our actions, and envision society's current trajectory.

While honouring the source material's essence is essential, embracing the present circumstances is equally vital. The time between the inception of the original Dune books to the present day should echo the seismic shifts our world has undergone. Thus, I hope the forthcoming Dune instalment will be an incarnation attuned to our contemporary cultural canvas — an update that bridges past and present, heralding a familiar and fresh saga.

But it won’t, and I’ll still enjoy it.

Why ruin the fun?

Why endeavour to refine our entertainment when often all one craves is undemanding action sequences, beautiful characters, breathtaking vistas, and a dose of humour? I'm glad that you've asked such questions.

Throughout our lives, we undergo constant transformation. In our early years, we're drawn to children's shows that lay the foundation for essential skills and values. Adolescence introduces us to narratives that reflect our high energy levels and emotions. As adults, we grapple with understanding the world's complexities, evolving through experiences and media.

However, in adulthood, the pursuit of knowledge often diminishes post-education. Our analytical thinking takes breaks, and news and entertainment become our primary intellectual engagement over time.

Yet, our potential as humans yearns for more. We deserve entertainment that both entertains and enriches. Inclusive content should spark intellectual exploration, delving into uncharted territories of potential, collective aspirations, philosophical questions, and technological frontiers. After all, expansive narratives don't negate leisure's allure; they enhance our engagement with it. As our tastes mature, so should our interaction with stories. This blend of indulgence and enlightenment honours our complexity and nurtures a well-rounded cultural experience.

We deserve narratives that engage our intellect alongside our emotions, where we dream of possibilities, tackle philosophical challenges, and elevate our societal and individual potential.