There are certain elements of human nature–instinct, desire, jealousy, cunning–that I have no doubt are fine-tuned by evolution, good or bad, but truly enduring.
This story at various points has hit me as a mix of A Clockwork Orange and Ferris Buehler’s Day Off but I think what’s making its mark is the underlying theme of discontent of the masses. Man’s inability to accept his own flaws but finding it necessary to blame society when it becomes overwhelming, and when seeking equality, most often go about it with the best of intentions but act in terrible ways.
“Remember this,” Tyler said, “The people you’re trying to step on, we’re everyone you depend on. We’re the people who do your laundry and cook your food and serve your dinner. We make your bed. We guard you while you’re asleep. We drive the ambulances. We direct your call. We re cooks and taxi drivers and we know everything about you. We process your insurance claims and credit card charges. We control every part of your life.
“We are the middle children of history, raised by television to believe that someday we’ll be millionaires and movie stars and rock stars, but we won’t. And we’re just learning this fact,” Tyler said, “So don’t fuck with us.” (pg. 166)
It’s a twisted version of the 99% of today’s outraged. These characters, led by Tyler, have a plan. But it’s horribly wrong.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology