Thread by @AntonCrace, Reflecting on Orwell's 1984, it is strange most of the focus of [...]

Anton John Crace

AntonCrace

Reflecting on Orwell's 1984, it is strange most of the focus of it in current contexts is doublespeak and surveillance.

I personally think that misses the ultimate point of the text

#COVIDー19.

The idea doublespeak predicts fake news is a little erroneous as that was a comment on what was already happening, and had already happened, during the time 1984 was written.

Draconian surveillance was also an extrapolation of what was already occurring.

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For me, however, the point of 1984 is not that you will be manipulated and surveilled. It's the ending that is much darker.

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*Spoiler*

The climax occurs when Winston faces his worst fear: rats. He betrays Julia, and Julia betrays him.

The argument made is even strong, unconditional love and compassion will never beat fear and self preservation, so all human compassion is contingent.

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That, for example, people will horde toilet paper over taking only what they need so others can benefit as well.

Surveillance and mistruth aren't really Orwellian. Fear induced self-preservation is. That humans are greedy and terrible, as also argued in Animal Farm.

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I think in its classical understanding, we were already living in "Orwellian" times when the book was published.

However, I believe we are now in a position to prove Orwell wrong. Love and compassion do beat fear and self preservation.

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The point of this thread is: prove Orwell wrong. Just stay home.

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