I just noticed today how Skype uses 1984 to show the formatting of your Skype chats. Pretty funny, but appropriate. One of Skype’s features is encryption is always on. They’re also not trying to compete in the home phone market, which should keep them from having to comply with US wiretap rules.

All I’m saying is, Animal Farm has nothing on 1984, okay?

This book should be required reading for absolutely everyone.

i wish i could have wrote this story differently. truthfully, i probably would have liked animal farm more than this book. at least that’s what will keep me sane tonight. ahem. i’m a bit jaded now.
p.s. why am i such a pessemist? “tie the ropes to her hair, then she’ll feel it.”

“1984” is set in London, the chief city of Airstrip One and the third most populous of Oceania’s states. Oceania is one of the world’s three great powers – the others being Eurasia and Eastasia – and is constantly at war with at least on of its neighbors. Although the roles of enemy and ally change regularly, the change is never officially acknowledged : if Oceania is at war with Eastasia, then it has always been at war with Eastasia. The Party rules Oceania through four ministries. These include the Ministry of Peace (which deals with the war effort), the Ministry of Plenty (responsible for economic affairs and shortages) and the Ministry of Truth (responsible for all forms of propaganda – including news, education and entertainment). However, the Ministry of Love – which deals with law and order – is the really scary one. Heavily fortified and guarded, it is home to the dreaded Thought Police and is impossible to enter except on official business. Oceania’s official language is Newspeak, an updated version of English with a vastly reduced vocabulary. Without the words to express an ‘undesirable’ thought, ‘thoughtcrime’ will become literally impossible. It is expected to have totally replaced Oldspeak, or standard English, by 2050.

The Party is led by Big Brother, and all good things come as a direct result of his leadership. His image stares down from every wall, and he is widely viewed as a savior and protector. His nemesis is Emmanuel Goldstein, who was once a leading member of the Party before betraying the cause. He is now the ‘Enemy of the People’, and commander of the Brotherhood : a mysterious army dedicated to he overthrow of the Party and State.

The book’s hero is Winston Smith – he is reasonably sure he is thirty-nine, and that the year is 1984 (though that is not entirely certain). A member of the Party, he works in the Records Department at the Ministry of Truth and lives at Victory Mansions. Although his position brings certain perks – certainly in comparison to the proles – life is bleak. Many items – including food, razor blades and boots – are in short supply, and his home – despite its name – is an old, rundown block of flats. In every room throughout Airstrip One, telescreens are installed. Although similar to televisions, they can only be dimmed but never switched off. They not only receive programmes, but also transmit to the Ministry of Truth – meaning the Thought Police can monitor whoever they like whenever they like. Winston is officially married, although he has been separated for nearly eleven years. Marriages between Party members have to be approved by a committee, though any attraction is apparently frowned upon. Sex is an act widely viewed with disgust, while sexual immorality is known as ‘sexcrime’. Winston’s life changes when he starts keeping a diary. This is not technically illegal, though – when caught – he knows it could be punishable by death.

Generally, I don’t like making blanket recommendations, but “1984” is one of the few exceptions. While it is a grim book, everybody should read at some point. Some see it, like “Animal Farm”, as a satire on the USSR - Big Brother does seem to look like Stalin, there are constant references to ‘Three Year Plans’ and people call each other ‘Comrade’. However, it applies to any form of totalitarian government – or indeed, any government that has too much control over an individuals life.

Not even speaking about the political implications and how our world is dangerously close to the orwellian view of it – terrific book. The way it is written, the characters, the turn of events, it’s brilliant. I want to read it over and over again because it gets better with every time I read it.

There are a lot of books out there, on this theme of where the government is taking us. This is a pretty good one. Orwell doesn’t make any effort to make the plot any easier to swallow, or easier to cope with. It’s a harsh look at human nature, and the herd mentality, and what the dangers of allowing the government to choose for you are.

If you like this you may also like:
Brave New World (aldus huxley)
Anthem (ayan rand)
Davy (edgar pangborn)

and to a lesser extent (more sci fi) A Planet Called Treason, by Orson Scott Card.

Read this book. You’ll find that Orwell wasn’t that far off year-wise when he wrote this novel (1948, for anybody who doesn’t know). It’s disturbing, really, and not in a campfire-ghost-story kind of way.

Honestly, I never thought we’d live in as Orwellian a world as we now do. War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength. Want to test it out? Try talking about the war with someone – you descend into an Orwellian circle of “let’s not talk about it” or “We’ve always been at war with . . . ”. Even, or maybe especially, when I see the war protestors as I did this weekend on the 3rd anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, with their “No Iraq War” posters I think, do they mean to say they wish there was no Iraq war or are they just not willing to let the reality of that war into their world. Or how strange it gets when some hawks argue the mistake was staying after we busted it, and some doves argue the mistake is leaving now that its broken. And that palpable feeling that maybe it isn’t such a good idea to talk about this loudly in an open place or the disapproving looks you get from people bothered by the debate. “No Iraq War” is an easier slogan to swallow. War is Peace and Ignorance is Strength. Let’s go back to work. Freedom is Slavery.

Interesting, but kind of outdated considering it is now 2006 and nothing like this Big Brother thing has ha.p.p-uh. I’ll get back to you on this later. I think someone is watching me.