Forget the term “Ford nation” to depict Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s loyal suburban constituents; let’s try instead “fordship” to pinpoint the cult of
irresponsibility. Here is the character Bernard Marx in Brave New World reporting to Mustapha Mond, otherwise known as
“your fordship”, a play on the name of Henry Ford, originator of the
Model “T” (which, according to the story, has alphabetically replaced the the crucifix):
‘… I would like to take this opportunity of
drawing your fordship’s attention to …’
Mustapha Mond’s anger gave place almost at
once to mirth. The idea of this creature
solemnly lecturing him – him – about
the social order was really too grotesque.
The man must have gone mad. ‘I ought to give him a lesson,’ he said to
himself; then threw back his head and laughed aloud. For the moment, at any rate, the lesson would
not be given.[1]
[1]
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World & Brave New World Revisited, intro by
Margaret Atwood (Toronto: Vintage, 2007), p. 152. First published in 1932.
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