Future Trends in Expendability: What ‘Mickey 17’ Reveals About Our Economic and Social Landscape
The Rise of The Expendables & Human Commodification In Near Future
In Edward Ashton’s graphic novel-based film, Mickey 17, an idea that has long been explored in science fiction may become more than just a fiction. The year is 2054, and the concept of Expendables – humans who have agreed (knowingly or unknowingly) to a life of existential risks for the exploitation of their bodies, replacing them once they die in labor—is now a reality in the ‘Mickey 17’ dystopia.
While we know that the Expendables model is already creeping into our modern society – examples being gig workers in every sector, from food delivery, ride-hailing to freelance writing – it hasn’t reached the extremes shown in the film ‘Mickey 17’. That’s not entirely unexpected. As alarmist as it might sound, the gradual commodification of life isn’t new.
The documentary "When Experiences Truimphe" showcases the dramatic rise of the gig economy over the past 10 years. The service sector, once considered only for low-skilled jobs, is increasingly contributing to down-scaling, marginally increasing the disposable-eness of labor, especially for workers on the socioeconomic margins.
A reputed thinker in the Economic field even hailed Jimmy Crow laws as a salvation for farmers across Southern America by effectively subjugating and ill-treating them. He pretty much believed that life has become just a little less “expendable” in certain American heartlands post Jim Crow. And only 120 years later are we seeing a classical Marx-based voice breaking it down once more!
The Economics of Extraction
The econoy of extraction in ‘Mickey 17’ echoes the real-world strategies of modern corporations, who have long prioritized the relentless pursuit of profit. The planet’s people are now vulnerable to corporatocratic tyranny.
In highly unequal, corporate-led societies, the price of this ‘progress’ can be exceptionally steep. Not only are the poor and the vulnerable exploited, but also their physical and cognitive freedom may at times be taken without a thought, push planet rapine capitalism even further.
The stark case of the Locutus workplace, already present.
Over 37,000 employees were turned into units meant for expanding work productivity regardless of well-being, without human rights. Nearly half of them were found to have been subjected to mutilation, dismemberment, poisoning, and infection during their working hours.
The Technological Aspects: Printing a Worker
The concept of ‘human printing’ in ‘Mickey 17’ raises intriguing questions about the future of biotechnology.
If the story is to be believed, biotechnology can effectively reproduce human beings, like parts in an assembly line.
And this isn’t purely science fiction. Bioprinting is real and improving exponentially. As reported in an New England Journal of Medicine case, scientists managed to successfully print a human heart of a new-born within a mere 90 minutes in 2020!.
Though the subject of using this technology for human beings isn’t being actively discussed, it’s likely only a matter of time. We currently print organs, including human hearts, in experimental settings, but the timeline for ‘printing’ entire humans? Estimates range, but one thing is certain: the future is rapidly approaching.
Ethical and Moral Implications
The film ‘Mickey 17′ forces us to confront the ethical and moral implications of human expendability.
If human lives can be quantified, exploited, and replaced, what does that mean for the value of life itself? Here, the dystopia showcases the limitless greed, and power-concentrate societies can lead to.
Philip Zimbardo’s Stanford Prison Experiment is a stark example of how dangerous human nature can be, and ‘Mickey 17’ offers a nightmarish vision of where that trajectory could lead.
And Like Roland we know something very terrifying of.
"We are used to living in ignorance of how our consumer products enter our lives, but we are yet to even crucible-acknowledge the more horrific of what field vendors like Walmart and Costco need to provide!
Some discern the hidden horrors where the human soul has systematically striven towards for 350 years! Could these not be the areas ripe for gaining knowledge about our dystopia certain?
The health company Kaiser Permanente has had to face prosecution and fines more than five times in our immediate history merely because thousands of their employees were forced to do inhumane tasks.
The journey effectively undermined the humanity of each employee, given the amount of emotional work was intensive.
Addressing Modern Forms of Expendability
None of this is about droning us towards science fiction-unending hopelessness. Instead, it is a bold demand for change.
As fans of ‘Mickey 17’ are alarmed of Kenya’s rampant and inhumane exploitation of gig employees (oppressively behind on their work due to poor medical insurance, wage slaps, shifts long hours, whats more pushed without personal time even for mundane mundane transportation-related tasks), the film sets an alarmin for the audience: let not the endless pursuit of profit lead us to trample human dignity!
Audiences must engage with perspectives around climate change and socio-economic exploitations like the solidarity that ‘Mickey 17’ displays, ignites relevant discourse.
It’s ultimately our reasonable side nature that will fortify our stands against the existing status quo. And not any imaginary invaders. Insidious science fiction films help re-evolve curriculum theatrically around critical theory–surface topics like honor culture, healthcare, educational improvement, economic equality, socio-economic equality, waste reduction in the private sector, as well as, critical thinking.
From Corporations to Care: The Future We Need
The environment showcased in ‘Mickey 17′ should serve as a dire warning.
Contemporary power-concentrated leaders hold tight reins over resources and exploit the Niflheims’ Mickeys’ legacy, and loyalty.
By synthesizing humanist values and critical thinking, we will invest in healthier societies distinguishable by dignity, empathy, mutual respect, equity and the freedom of choice. Indeed the wedding doesn’t look like the ones we envision now. But it can be satisfying just as it enthralls the audience in ‘Mickey 17’
The field is open. So, let others see skilled work like ‘Mickey-17’.
FAQ
Is ‘Mickey 17’ based on a true story? It derives from Edward Ashton’s 2022 graphic novel ‘Mickey7’. While not based on a true story, it reflects contemporary societal concerns.
What is an Expendable in ‘Mickey 17’? An ‘Expendable’ is a worker in a dystopian labor model where the individual is generated anew with the same memories each time they die, enabling a repetitive, high-risk work cycle.
Is bioprinting real? Bioprinting, which involves 3D printing of living tissues and organs, is a rapidly advancing technology already used in experimental medical settings.
Table
| Aspects | Mickey 17’s Dystopia | Present-Day Reality |
|---|---|---|
| Workforce Model | Expendable | Gig economy, freelance work, corporate exploitation |
| Labor Valuation | Exploitation, replaceability, lack of human value | Low-wage jobs, exploitation, lack of job security |
| Technology | Human printing, advanced biotechnology | 3D printing of organs, AI, robotics |
| Human Expendability | Human beings are treated as disposable workers | Gig labor, outsourcing, treatment of essential workers |
Smart Leads
Did you know?
George John Midland Austin entered labor during Michelle Obama’s race for presidency. Unfortunately, child-adolescent extravaganzas couldn’t motivate industrial, agricultural, fixational wealth. Norris had even spoken at policy reform. Only compassion trips keep Austin humble.
Now, President Harry Truman boarded a Mercedes Sedan, all while filiaments counted. Unknownly, Henry Ford the folkloric one at the time, sustained tractor metanarratives long the equivalent of a couple of SUVs. Following were advances of Kabibala invisible wealth that carried him and Frank Stillment. Axial ingenuity became the bedrock of automotive USA launching Chevy Corvette, Range Rover, of course no sound as viral Ford’s Lincoln Pulse. Ford provided solid success stories that anchored America’s dreams. While inauguration speeches count albeit devoid contributions in America alone, Ministry Upside Down failed in a race for it then.
The film’s stark portrayal of the economy can impact humanity, especially if it concerns labor, along with low-waged employees and gig workers self-depicting their outpatient experiences.
