A guide for those who invoke 1984

Mar 21, 2021, 11:13 AM

Shouting "1984!" on this board has become fairly popular with some of our resident pseudo-conservatives while drawing comparison to elements of American society that really have absolutely no similarities to the George Orwell novel. We can assume maybe they are hearing this on talk shows like Tucker, and they think it sounds smart to reference the novel without having to explain details, thus proving they haven't read it.

So here's a basic summary of the book and some of the key aspects of Big Brother. I'll show how their comparisons don't fit with 1984.

The protagonist, Winston Smith, works in the records department of the Ministry of Truth, where he deletes and wipes out information upon the government's command. Oceania is one of three mega totalitarian nations in the world. Under this government, all citizens are subjected to constant surveillance by the government and can face serious consequences for any behavior the government sees as detrimental or subversive.

Some key restrictions:
-Citizens are watched via telescreens in their homes. Any sort of educational behavior is outlawed, from reading unapproved texts to even keeping a journal (which Winston does secretly).
-Loving relationships are discouraged; at least, to the point where you would love your spouse more than the government. Arranged marriages are encouraged.
-Even giving the impression that you're having thoughts against the government can result in your arrest.
-The government is recording you everywhere, even down to microphones in the bushes.
-There are no private corporations. All goods (and they suck) are provided by the government.
-Citizens are kept in line by creating fake enemies, such as pushing fake wars against Eurasia or Eastasia, and a fake villain known as Emmanuel Goldstein. Pro-war rallies and hate rallies against Goldstein are held regularly.
-The government wipes out or manipulates all information. What the government says it to be blindly believed, and anything to the contrary is not only considered a lie or fake, but it can result in your prosecution.
-There is no free press or media of any sort. It's controlled by the government.
-There is only one ruling political party.
-The government tortures supposed rebellious citizens into either compliance or before wiping them from existence.
-The government doesn't just execute people; they wipe out any trace they existed.
-The government launches fake rocket attacks on its own people while blaming Eastasia or Eurasia (whoever they're "at war" with during that time) to increase pro-war sentiment.
-You cannot own your own home. You cannot shop freely for whatever you want. You can't speak out against anything with the government. Nothing like our society today.
-Ultimately, the people are expected to worship and praise Big Brother at all times, and publicly. They are expected to see him as some benevolent, caring figure who protects them and makes their lives better. Blind loyalty is demanded. For some, they love it. They actually do adore Big Brother. Sound familiar?

And that's just scratching the surface. The book goes far deeper than just this.

So there are definitely some traits you can find from 1984 that have made its way into American society. The pro-war fervor. The praise of the NSA spying on us under the guise of security. The blind adoration of Trumpism. The call for one political party. The desire to eliminate the free press, or at least anything that goes against their beloved candidate being labeled as "fake news".

It's just not from any of the comparisons pseudo-conservatives who never read the book have made here.

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A guide for those who invoke 1984

Re: A guide for those who invoke 1984

Liberal utopia***

Re: Liberal utopia***

Read it in HS but was stoned a good bit and it was a long time ago.

Ooh

cool

Which party supports big government again?

If the government controls corporations, then it doesn't

Which part of your post...

Most of the time I think Conservatives reference 1984

Re: Most of the time I think Conservatives reference 1984

Yes, I get that. I guess when the major social media

But they aren't aligned with any political party.

That, then, is a separate debate.***

their political donations say different

Re: Yes, I get that. I guess when the major social media

"1984 !!!"***

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