Is 1984 becoming a reality?

[Deleted]

Yeah sometimes a narration is simply computing conclusions to foresee the upcoming possiblity of our current states, and Orwell was a genius in it.

1984 also aplies to the situation my country has been for past 40 years.

[CptEgo]

Dystopian prophecies have all been wrong, the world is a more peaceful and 'loving' place now than ever before.

[Hammerfest]

But it is interesting, because you can always notice parallels and then call it 1984, without comprehending how absolutely dwarfed our governments power is compared to 1984.

I believe the thread question is "Is 1984 becoming a reality?" not "Has 1984 become a reality?"

[unbound]

Try reading the book instead. And while you're at it, read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. I see far, far more similarities between our current reality and Huxley's envisioning of a dystopian future than Orwell's.

I would agree with this until this year. There were more similarities to Brave New World and Idiocracy than to 1984.

However, at this point, we seem to be balanced as a combination of the three right now.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/13/b...orld.html?_r=0

[Deleted]

I believe the thread question is "Is 1984 becoming a reality?" not "Has 1984 become a reality?"

Fair notion. I'll be back in 30 years, and if we can talk about if we became it, I'll say the same. If not, I'll cover my tracks and say glory to the *insert mock representative democracy* and down with the foreigners, traitors, saboteurs and thought-criminals

[Najnaj]

1984 is basically about North Korea so no, the US is not anywhere near it. Trump is too divisive and too stupid for starters.

[Ivanstone]

Naw it just turns out that idiocracy wasn't just a movie, It was a prophecy.

No, Idiocracy is not a prophecy. Just because we're aware of our fellow man's foolishness at near light speeds does not mean we're more foolish. We're aware of our collective triumphs and tragedies quickly because we're more connected with each other than ever before.

For example, I am aware that random people from around the world our posting in a thread about George Orwell's 1984 without even having read the book or understood its contents.

The collapse of communism alone is a pretty strong indicator that 1984 is moving farther away. We are probably being spied upon but its by capitalists who just want to sell us more crap.

[Ryme]

No where close to the totalitarian methods used, but there are some similarities worth noting. Mass surveillance, control of thought and ideas, sanctioned and encouraged targets of hate, the prole class systems, subversion in language.

It's way off of where we are, but still a very worthwhile read if you ask me.

[ramjb]

No where close to the totalitarian methods used, but there are some similarities worth noting. Mass surveillance, control of thought and ideas, sanctioned and encouraged targets of hate, the prole class systems, subversion in language.

It's way off of where we are, but still a very worthwhile read if you ask me.

Sure, but that's only because we (the people) have successfully blocked the Left from gaining power and being able to implement their totalitarian system.

[Tackhisis]

The collapse of communism alone is a pretty strong indicator that 1984 is moving farther away.

Ironically, 1984 is not about communism.

[Ivanstone]

Ironically, 1984 is not about communism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninete...iterary_motifs
"Orwell sold the American stage rights to Sheldon, explaining that his basic goal with Nineteen Eighty-Four was imagining the consequences of Stalinist government ruling British society:"

Its not precisely about communism. Its about totalitarianism. At the time of publication the biggest totalitarian government was the Stalinist regime in the Soviet Union. The book features many superficial socialist and communist elements that the Upper Party uses to maintain control over the Lower Party and the Proles. A counter-example would be V For Vendetta where British society is subverted by a racist fascist government who have some similar and some differing methods of control.

There are many less totalitarian governments then there used to be. The ones that are left use different means of control and are certainly much more liberal than the brutal austerity shown in 1984. North Korea is close but lacks the technological sophistication of Ingsoc.

[Powerogue]

Try reading the book instead. And while you're at it, read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. I see far, far more similarities between our current reality and Huxley's envisioning of a dystopian future than Orwell's.

Not enough orgies for my liking. And we're still waiting on the point where babies are born in vats.

[Celista]

No, but Idiocracy was apparently prophecy.

I became a reality in 1984, and it's my birthday today too.

Happy belated birthday!

- - - Updated - - -

Not enough orgies for my liking. And we're still waiting on the point where babies are born in vats.

I love Brave New World, but it's really not applicable here. The feelies and feel-good drugs on demand sound fun.

[Daedius]

Happy belated birthday!

[Enthusiastic Steward]

Sure, but that's only because we (the people) have successfully blocked the Left from gaining power and being able to implement their totalitarian system.

Is the Left not composed of people? Has the Left not on paper been in power for 16 of the past 24 years? What totalitarian system were they trying to implement? What totalitarian system was suddenly in danger of being implemented but was apparently averted last minute?

[Blood Raven]

So far I have been offered, "A brave new world", "Farenheit 451", and the novel "1984" to read. Anymore that I should check my local bookstore for?

I'd also recommend "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" by Philip K. Dick. It's a very thought-provoking read, although it leans more towards robots and what it means to be human more than straight up dystopia.

[Acidbaron]

Sure, but that's only because we (the people) have successfully blocked the Left from gaining power and being able to implement their totalitarian system.

Totalitarian is not limited to one side of the spectrum. Often these regimes hide behind a political ideology they completely do no represent at all. Modern day example, Venezuela today, Chavez installed a socialist system he managed to make work for the poor people in society based on oil money, he's now gone oil prizes have dropped making the system no longer viable, not due it being socialist but due to two big things, the country based for more than 80% on oil money, so their currency was also directly tied to the oil prices. Secondly Maduro's the successor his corruption and his need for more power, putting blame on everything and everyone. He is also far more isolated internationally.

But in short left or right ideologies are never the root problem and dictator ships rise up in every possible political party, if either stays true to their core values they would never turn into this.

That being said, Portugal is a modern day example of how going from the right to the left is making a country rise up again. It all depends how objective you can be in your judgement and how biased/informed you are but you can find good and bad examples everywhere.

[Deleted]

the secret here is that all this freedom and 1776 is exactly what the illuminati want.

1984 is the best possible outcome for our lives. if you have nothing to hide why do you not want CCTV in your house?

i have no problem all my conversations being recorded because i am not a criminal. if you are not a criminal you would not mind either.

any argument to this point is irrelevant and proves you are a criminal so i win the debate that will not take place because there is none because i already won it.

[Acidbaron]

Dystopian prophecies have all been wrong, the world is a more peaceful and 'loving' place now than ever before.

Ehh, i think for a large part we are lucky this is a long time of peace but the peace is no longer as stable as it used to be, you see things not breaking into pieces yet but cracks are showing.

What means things can go both ways.

[Kithelle]

Most of this forum's posters weren't even alive yet in 1984.

You got me...I was born in 86