George Orwell, 1984 - Is it possible?

[MuayThai]

***SPOILERS ALERT****


I just finished reading the book. And was wondering.

1. Is it possible that their society could really survive?
What do you guys think? Could a populous be indoctrinated to that degree?


And what you guys think of this.

Throughout recorded time, and probably since the end of the Neolithic Age, there have been three kinds of people in the world, the High, the Middle, and the Low...

The aims of these three groups are entirely irreconcilable. The aim of the High is to remain where they are. The aim of the Middle is to change places with the High. The aim of the Low, when they have an aim... is to abolish all distinctions and create a society in which all men shall be equal. Thus throughout history a struggle which is the same in its main outlines recurs over and over again.

My opinion is out on that. I suppose you'd have to go and study it in a sort of history context, I don't know enough

but for my opinion on the first question.

I think it is not only possible, but if there was a dictatorship strong enough it would be entirely likely!
Look at religion, people (throughout history) have almost routinely chose to die/put them selfs in mortal danger because of their religion. And for what? A book? Going along with the crowd?
If people have a conviction to die for religion\Blind belief I think it's more then possible to indoctrinate people to the level that is needed for a, similar to 1984 society.

 

[michaelhctam]

I have read 1984, its a brilliant book!

Yes there is a dictatorship strong enough to control the world...

THE AMERICAN GOVERMENT. :rockon:

 

[diplomatic_lies]

I don't think we can prevent this stuff from happening. Dictators are nothing special, simply very intelligent men with ambition. The past, present, and future will always be full of Caesars, Saddams, and Hitlers.

However, I'm not sure the 1984 scenario can become real. At least, not in this century. With the Internet, it's become very hard for governments to completely dominate information distribution.

 

[Jariel]

America got a lot closer to realising that 1984 can really happen when they introduced "The Patriot Act". The similarities between that and Big Brother are frightening, especially when you add it to the CCTV Cameras on almost every corner of every street.

Also look at the way the media is being manipulated. Western governments haven't gone quite so far as to burn books and rewrite history, but they do control the news networks and have the overall say in what "facts" we see. "He who controls the media controls the world".

The thing is, people have been brainwashed into thinking that dictators must be explicit with their actions, openly slaughter people and start wars etc, but thats not how it's done in 1984; it's more subtle and implicit so the government and Big Brother corporation can remain the "good guys" in the view of the majority.

There's also this view that if you disagree with your government, you automatically agree with the Saddams and Hitlers of the world. This is the government's way of creating this good vs. evil scenario and painting themselves as the good guys to increase loyalty.

Freedom to vote, to watch porn and play violent video games, to speak openly on a forum like this etc are all there to make us believe we have freedom and keep us happy.

There is a lot of 1984 style brainwashing going on right before our eyes!

 

[Bible_Belt]

Read "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley next.