LOL!!! I like your false metaphor about how skinny you are(n't), Kent. Good one. ;-)

I think that the metaphor of feudalism could definitely be used to describe the way that giant corporations are exploiting cheap labour all over this world right now. I think that the metaphor of dictatorship could be used to describe how 2 (or more) phony political parties and a compliant national media (all funded and run by the same set of big money players) are being used to defraud the general public and serve the giant corporations. As for "dark age", that's a pretty flexible one. It can simply mean a time when certain key values in society have deteriorated badly. You can make a case for that right now too.