The 2000s: Selling the Apocalypse, Now

Interestingly, the language of apocalypse has been embraced across the political spectrum. While conservative politicians grumble about immigration, national security, and bankruptcy, their leftist colleagues have been quick to turn the conversation to Inconvenient Truths, peak oil, and the end of American hegemony. In all cases, voters are hit with desperate warnings and worst-case scenarios. After all, it’s hard to sell voters on the joys of moderation.

Not surprisingly, this tone has bled out into the punditocracy. Keith Olbermann’s soliloquies evoke John Galt’s postapocalyptic radio scene in Atlas Shrugged, but they pale beside the end-of-the-Republic tone of his fellow broadcasters. Whether it’s Sean Hannity’s “tea parties” or Glenn Beck’s claim that Congress is “approaching treason,” political discourse over the last 10 years suggests that there’s no longer any common ground, and that disagreement is almost tantamount to justifying a revolution. (Indeed, Texas Gov. Rick Perry indicated this year that succession may be an option for his state.)

The End is Nigh, so Pay Up

There’s clearly a cultural basis for America’s fascination with the apocalypse, but there’s just as clearly a lot of money to be made by selling apocalyptic visions, whether through thrilling movie spectacles, a literary conclusion to the Biblical narrative, or ad revenue for syndicated talk-shows. The apocalypse always means big bucks, always translates to massive audiences and massive sales.

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