'The Marching Morons' (1951) by C M Kornbluth

Originally published in 'Galaxy Science Fiction', April 1951, Cyril M Kornbluth’s, 'The Marching Morons' is a classic dystopian science fiction novella that stands out for its brutal satire and provocative premise. Set in a future where the vast majority of humanity has become intellectually disabled due to generations of dysgenic breeding, the story follows a 20th-century man, John Barlow, who is revived from suspended animation to help an elite, intelligent minority solve the problem of an unmanageable, childlike global population.

Plot Summary:
Barlow, a cynical and amoral real estate hustler from the mid-20th century, is awakened in a future where the world’s population has ballooned to hundreds of billions—mostly “morons” who cannot function independently. A small technocratic class secretly manages civilization’s infrastructure, teetering under the pressure of the burden.

The elites enlist Barlow to solve the “moron problem.” His brutal plan involves a propaganda campaign to convince the population to voluntarily board spaceships bound for a supposedly idyllic new planet—a ruse leading to mass extermination. The elites agree, only to find Barlow’s ambition growing dangerously totalitarian. In the end, his manipulative cunning is turned against him.

Themes & Interpretation:
Intelligence & Eugenics - Kornbluth plays with the mid-century fear of “genetic decline.” The story builds on the controversial (and now debunked) idea that less intelligent people reproduce faster, potentially dragging down civilization. This bleak view of human nature and IQ invites discomfort—and critique.

Mass Media Manipulation - Barlow’s campaign is a dark satire of advertising and propaganda. Kornbluth, with a journalist’s insight, skewers how easily the public can be led by spectacle and emotional appeals, even to their deaths.

Elitism & Morality - The elites, though smart, are paralyzed by ethics. Barlow, ruthless and cunning, shows how moral compromise comes swiftly when fear and exhaustion reign. It’s an exploration of ends-versus-means, tyranny cloaked in pragmatism.

Impact & Legacy:
'The Marching Morons' is considered one of the most biting and enduring short works of the “Golden Age” of science fiction. It influenced dystopian writers like Harlan Ellison and even inspired elements of films such as Idiocracy (2006).

Its tone is unapologetically cynical, and many modern readers find it controversial due to its apparent flirtation with eugenics and social Darwinism. But it remains powerful for its razor-sharp critique of mass culture and complacent elites.

Verdict:
A disturbing but brilliant work of satirical SF. While dated in its assumptions and language, it forces readers to grapple with uncomfortable questions about intelligence, democracy, and control. Not for the faint of heart—but a landmark of the genre.

This story was included in 'The Science Fiction Hall of Fame', Vol. Two, as one of the best novellas up to 1965, as selected by the Science Fiction Writers of America.