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The first time I read 1984, it seemed like dystopian Sci-Fi, of which I became a huge fan in my early teens.
But… definitely Sci-Fi. Not something to be actively worried about in my life.
But… definitely Sci-Fi. Not something to be actively worried about in my life.
The second time I read 1984, I understood it to represent a political statement that it reflected a real state, that is the perhaps inevitable status of some systems, like communism.
But that it was not really relevant to my life. The Soviet Union was off, far away...
But that it was not really relevant to my life. The Soviet Union was off, far away...
The third time I read 1984, I realized that the book was a warning…
An alert that there are very real tendencies, which unless actively guarded against, would become reality in any system or group, and that it could… and *was* happening within my own government and society.
An alert that there are very real tendencies, which unless actively guarded against, would become reality in any system or group, and that it could… and *was* happening within my own government and society.
If you have not read it, I encourage, particularly Americans to read 1984, *before* this November’s election.
Read it.
Reflect on it, and how it might have relevance right now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four
Read it.
Reflect on it, and how it might have relevance right now.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four
People made a huge deal ~ surveillance in 1984, and how that was a thing to be wary of...
While important, the bigger concept for me in 1984 was the relationship we have to truth and facts that could be warped and distorted. And the duality that people live in maintaining lies.
While important, the bigger concept for me in 1984 was the relationship we have to truth and facts that could be warped and distorted. And the duality that people live in maintaining lies.
I’ve reflected on the concept, philosophy and ethics of lying most of my adult life.
Lies ultimately become untenable, as the framework required and the combinatorial math associated with being cognitively aware of all permutations of the lies told, catches up with the liar.
Lies ultimately become untenable, as the framework required and the combinatorial math associated with being cognitively aware of all permutations of the lies told, catches up with the liar.
Why do people/institutions lie? Because there is *generally* an agenda that is sometimes obvious, but oftentimes occult.
Facts are important because they help others refute untruths to establish a framework of understanding. Establishing facts in the face of lies is exhausting.
Facts are important because they help others refute untruths to establish a framework of understanding. Establishing facts in the face of lies is exhausting.
But it is important.
The crucially important thing is that most liars, when caught are contrite. They admit lying. However, the most pathological liars as individuals or even institutions will continue to maintain the lie, and sell that lie as truth in the face of evidence.
The crucially important thing is that most liars, when caught are contrite. They admit lying. However, the most pathological liars as individuals or even institutions will continue to maintain the lie, and sell that lie as truth in the face of evidence.
When this point is reached, and all parties understand it is a lie, yet maintain it is truth, everything starts to fail.
This is what it is like living with an addict. This is what it’s like living with a narcissist. This is what it is like living in an authoritarian regime.
This is what it is like living with an addict. This is what it’s like living with a narcissist. This is what it is like living in an authoritarian regime.
Doublethink in 1984 was a far more powerful and scary concept for me because it gets to the very foundations of our concepts of truth, and shared reality. When you break those shared truths, society becomes completely untethered and can only be held together by abusers.
