Theatre as a weapon against fascism is the big theme in V For Vendetta. V mobilises theatricality to perform resistance to tyranny. He embodies a suppressed idea of freedom to expose the weaknesses of autocracy.

Instinctively I agree with Chris Hedge's assessment on the superficiality of modern democracies. But the implication that theatricality is inherently deceitful and shallow ignores how ideologies must be staged in order to produce systems of political identification.

Far-right propagandist and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was a counter-cultural person of ridicule in the 2000s. He appeared as himself in Waking Life (2001) and A Scanner Darkly (2006) 1/3

It's snowing in London.

The Earthseed duology and 'Year of the Flood' contain refreshingly positive depictions of religion. Both are set during a near future of ecological devastation. Reconnecting humanity to Earth's systems is one way of surviving the dystopia. Faith as ecological semiosis.

Today its 'American War' by Omar El Akkad. The US has been divided into the old states, the Mexican Protectorate and the Free Southern State. Florida and Alaska are under the sea. The novel shows the ecological and political conditions that breed terrorism and enable war crimes.