Tim Robbins: "Today power is used to divide"

Tim Robbins has expressed concern over how power is being used today to divide society, calling it a dangerous trend that undermines public discourse. In an interview with El Universal, the acclaimed actor and Oscar winner lamented the erosion of open dialogue, describing a world where differences of opinion are met with hostility rather than understanding. Robbins, known for his roles in films such as The Big Lebowski and The Player, recently joined the Apple TV series Silo, which explores a dystopian future where a group of approximately 10,000 people live in an underground structure due to fears of environmental toxicity. In the show, he plays Bernard Holland, initially the head of Information Technology and later acting mayor, tasked with controlling information and monitoring the population. His character’s role involves suppressing dissent and reinforcing the official narrative, a position Robbins described as surpassing science fiction. In the series, Bernard is presumed dead after being trapped in an incinerator following a discovery that threatens the authority of those in power. He is later found alive, hiding and suffering burns, forced to confront the reality that his beliefs and actions were part of a larger deception. Robbins praised the complexity of this revelation, noting how it transforms his character physically and shatters their worldview. He linked the themes of Silo to real-world issues, particularly the impact of social media algorithms that categorize users based on their beliefs and feed them content that reinforces existing views. “We are made to believe our differences are vast,” he said. “That gives us a sense of moral superiority to condemn others as wrong, while ignoring how much we have in common.” Robbins criticized the current climate of political polarization, where disagreement often leads to personal attacks rather than constructive debate. “I’m tired of this: If you don’t agree with me, I’ll cancel you. I’ll call you racist, left-wing, or right-wing.” He recalled a time when people could engage in heated discussions without losing respect for one another, even if they held opposing views. He envisioned a world where individuals could still find common ground despite ideological differences. “Even if you didn’t agree, you could say, ‘Hey, let me buy you a beer.’ That’s the kind of world I want to live in.” Robbins also drew parallels between the isolation imposed during the pandemic and the digital segregation fostered by modern technology. During lockdowns, interactions with the outside world were mediated through screens, limiting genuine connection and exposing people to curated realities. “We’re classified and identified by how we think,” he noted. “Then we’re fed information that confirms that thinking, and presented with others who share similar opinions.” This process, he warned, creates echo chambers that isolate individuals from alternative perspectives. “It keeps us away from any viewpoint that challenges our ideas,” he explained. “That’s a brilliant way to divide people. For centuries, power has found ways to make us fight among ourselves.” As Silo continues, Robbins’ portrayal of Bernard offers a compelling exploration of how truth and ideology can collide, leaving both the character and audience questioning the nature of leadership and the cost of conformity.