History Headscratchers / Equilibrium

*** They wouldn't have to. I realize that while from a Doylist perspective it is technically a result of an editing error, in-universe that whole exchange with the trace was meant to give Preston a false sense of security, so it makes perfect sense that DuPont would go along with the framing in order to keep Preston from getting wise to the trap early.

*** Just because it's a trope doesn't mean it makes sense. TropesAreNotGood.

*** I always figured the society was like the dictatorship of San Lorenzo in Vonnegut's ''Cat's Cradle''. Bokonism is outlawed, the government ''kills'' people for practicing Bokonism, but EVREYONE on the island is a Bokonist.

* If all art is illegal in Libria, then how come DuPont gets to keep a huge Atlas statue in his office?

* At the very beginning. With [[Art/TheMonaLisa the Mona Lisa]]. These items are being destroyed for their emotional response. Which, in almost all cases, is the exact same from a copy of a painting as it is from the original, or at least from a copy in the same medium. So WHY do they need to check before burning that it's the original? It can't be for the satisfaction of a great victory 'cos, y'know... Prozium. Out-of-universe, it gives shock factor to the audience at the destruction of such a famous piece, but in-universe, well... [[ItJustBugsMe that]].

* At the very beginning. With the Mona Lisa. These items are being destroyed for their emotional response. Which, in almost all cases, is the exact same from a copy of a painting as it is from the original, or at least from a copy in the same medium. So WHY do they need to check before burning that it's the original? It can't be for the satisfaction of a great victory 'cos, y'know... Prozium. Out-of-universe, it gives shock factor to the audience at the destruction of such a famous piece, but in-universe, well... [[ItJustBugsMe that]].

** RuleOfSymbolism, I'd imagine. Utilitarian = Comformity = Etc. Practically, though, it does seem ridiculous. You'd wind up with a populace suffering from some serious back problems within a generation of enforcing The Tiny Square Bed Act of Glorious Libria.

*** True, but the number of times people apply such [[HollywoodTactics one-dimensional tactical thinking in fiction]] does not make this particularly noticeable. The thing that ''is'' noticeable is that this is the only case where they depict characters who [[DangerouslyGenreSavvy actually devise a method of taking advantage of such oversights]].

*** The potent image can easily be an ''in-universe'' explanation, too. It helps with the image the government projects, and it also requires people to follow a strict routine, enforcing discipline the same way a Marine Sergeant Major might [[GenerationKill bitch out Marines for having their shirts untucked]] when they're ostensibly doing more important things to prepare for an invasion.

*** Maybe they needed to verify that the painting was at least an accurate copy (including materials and technique), so that once it was destroyed, no one could use it to make other copies?

** You will also notice they never use the device again for us to see. In my mind it was done for the audiences benefit to show how destoypian the society is. And will destroy great works of art.

** RuleOfSymbolism, I'd imagine. Utilitarian = Comformity = Ect. Practically, though, it does seem ridiculous. You'd wind up with a populace suffering from some serious back problems within a generation of enforcing The Tiny Square Bed Act of Glorious Libria.

*** Of course its not if it where Vulcan mind-melding everyone would be psychically connected.
*** The majority of the citizens in Libria are obviously on their meds, as evidenced by their overly stiff and conformist behavior (they always walk in perfectly straight lines, turn at right angles, and walk with deliberate focused precision). As for the expletive-shouting guards, as the above troper points out Prozium only ''suppresses'' emotions. If it totally destroyed a person's ability to feel emotions then there would be no need to outlaw and destroy objects of emotional value. If you're completely incapable of feeling anything then there's no danger in looking at the Mona Lisa, reading a book of poetry, or listening to Mozart.

* GunKata. Just...GunKata. [[{{Futurama}} Gunfights do not work that way.]]