Reading Journal #6: Pohl & Kornbluth

Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth’s novel, The Space Merchants, is focused on a highly commercialized future. Capitalism has reached the point where corporations wield enormous point equivalent to that of nations. In this sense we have a complete reversal of a totalitarian government in charge of everything. Free market is now the sole force of society with producers aiming to manipulate the public into consuming more. The power of advertising in convincing people to consume evermore propels the occupation into one of high status. In this new consumerize society our character, Mitch Courtney is in his element as a star-class copywriter skilled in the art of persuasion. He is not an abnormality in this system of profits like John was in Brave New World. Rather he encourages the pro-capitalist thought process and is extremely efficient in pushing forward his company’s agenda.

The thought process of Mitch Courtney is what allows us to see the dystopia of the world. The thoughts of the main character are often in conflict over what we morally believe. He is generally fine with the elitist attitude of superior staff towards low-end grunts. He is completely okay with the addictive properties of Coffiest. He approves of the subliminal advertising campaigns to snatch up consumers. We as the audience are able to see the mental process of someone well suited to putting the first people on Mars and expanding the company. However, as a character he really develops after being stuck in manual labor. He goes in with full intent on being a whistle blower against the Consies. Yet after being saved by a couple of them he learns to question the world. That does not mean he has fully reformed to the ideals of the Consies. On the contrary he exhibits a type of mixed ideology, one that sees the flaws of the capitalist world and the possible benefits of Consies.

The blight of the capitalist world is subtle with interest and debts acquired over the extension of a person’s life. The ads from the radio and web draw in consumers to spend more for happiness. Regardless of whether happiness is ever attain or not, it is rather short lived. However, as long as the profits continue to flow and the people remained pacified the world is content. The big issue arises when a corporation deviates from the accepted rules of free market. This aberration is represented by Taunton Associates, which aims to win profits and power by any means necessary. The group does not hesitate from the murder and torture. As a company they are displayed as one without scruples for basic mortality. Although different in its methods, a company is still a company. Taunton and Schocken represent the two sides of corporate society. Taunton demonstrates the cutthroat competition to expect in free market capitalism where everything, including life, is dispensable. Schocken represents a naïve outlook of capitalism as a food of solely good. Thus, two very different people are actually more similar than first perceived.