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Did george orwell predict the future?
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By *hagTonight OP Man 6 weeks ago
From the land of haribos. |
I was watching an interesting program about george orwell and his predictions for the future and how accurate it is, have you heard of the book he wrote? It is one of the most famous works by him. it is called 1984, he didnt write it 1984, but rather in 1949, that is 35 years before.
The book is about the dangerous of totalitarianism and the need for freedom of speech and also how the government excersizes complete control over every aspect of life.
What is your view about it, do you know about him and his predictions, also how accurate do you think they are and can we see some of it in todays society, also how could he be able to predict it so many years ago too?  |
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"In some ways i think he did. Manipulation of people's thoughts by government propaganda is nothing new though
Didn't he write it at the end of the 2nd world war?"
Yes, while living on Jura and ill with TB, from which he died a few years later. |
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By *8on33Man 6 weeks ago
winfrith |
He did predict it but is life that difficult to predict, we are only here for one purpose to create life all he predicted was that technology would make it so much easier to control it's people. |
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"
What were your play and poetry?
Macbeth and The War Poets eg Wilfred Owen, Sassoon
What were yours ?"
Julius Caesar and Chaucer’s Pardoners Tale, which you had to translate first before you could study it. 40 years on and with no interest in it then or now and I still get passages of it randomly appearing in my mind  |
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"I was watching an interesting program about george orwell and his predictions for the future and how accurate it is, have you heard of the book he wrote? It is one of the most famous works by him. it is called 1984, he didnt write it 1984, but rather in 1949, that is 35 years before.
The book is about the dangerous of totalitarianism and the need for freedom of speech and also how the government excersizes complete control over every aspect of life.
What is your view about it, do you know about him and his predictions, also how accurate do you think they are and can we see some of it in todays society, also how could he be able to predict it so many years ago too? "
It's very scary to think how close to the book we have become as a society it's almost like some people cough toys cough were using it as a guild book not a warning |
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By *8on33Man 6 weeks ago
winfrith |
" we are only here for one purpose to create life
🤔"
Well aren't we? Some can't but only because of bodily malfunction or choice but we further the life process look how successfully China are doing it . |
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By *haverMan 6 weeks ago
bracknell |
Orwell was a great political writer ,animal farm is great and shows the true socialist ideology ,1984 is very true today only 40 years after the title ,he also wrote down and out in Paris about his time as a waiter and the hierarchy that exists ,well worth a read |
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"Orwell was a great political writer ,animal farm is great and shows the true socialist ideology ,1984 is very true today only 40 years after the title ,he also wrote down and out in Paris about his time as a waiter and the hierarchy that exists ,well worth a read "
What did Orwell ( writing in 1949 ) say would happen in the year 1984 that you are drawing comparisons with 40 years later e.g. 'today' ...... which is 70 years after he wrote the book ?
What ' from the book' is true today ? |
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By *8on33Man 6 weeks ago
winfrith |
"Orwell was a great political writer ,animal farm is great and shows the true socialist ideology ,1984 is very true today only 40 years after the title ,he also wrote down and out in Paris about his time as a waiter and the hierarchy that exists ,well worth a read
What did Orwell ( writing in 1949 ) say would happen in the year 1984 that you are drawing comparisons with 40 years later e.g. 'today' ...... which is 70 years after he wrote the book ?
What ' from the book' is true today ?"
Granny such a pertinent question . |
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Most people think of Totalitarianism as Stalin or Hitler not free societies like the west today.
Although I think the concept of Two Minutes Hate is quite accurate when you posts on here & other social media about Katie Price or Immigrants - redirecting subconscious feelings away from the state |
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"
What ' from the book' is true today ?
Big Brother is watching you.
Our phones track our movements and listen to our conversations
CCTV
Number plate recognition
Door bell and dash cam footage"
Spying , espionage , surveillance - as old as humanity itself.
Moses was a spy ( it is written ) .....
It's just done on a greater scale now - the king doesn't bother sending out cloaked men in the night or dressed like locals to listen in.
If we accept that we now use washing machines, vacuum cleaners and self service checkouts ( another spy ) I don't get why we think it's sinister that 'being watched' has moved along too ... |
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"
What ' from the book' is true today ?
Big Brother is watching you.
Our phones track our movements and listen to our conversations
CCTV
Number plate recognition
Door bell and dash cam footage"
Mostly in the book it was spies and the threat of torture/terror that forced people to comply like in communism wasn't it ? not by tech and by choice.
The big brother today is just some products & services we choose to subscribe to to make our lives easier, like a lazy totalitarian reclining chair with cake
I think Hannah Arendt was much more accurate in her 1951 book origins of totalitarianism ‘ The ideal subject of totalitarian rule is not the convinced Nazi or the convinced Communist, but people for whom the distinction between fact and fiction (i.e., the reality of experience) and the distinction between true and false (i.e., the standards of thought) no longer exist.
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By *8on33Man 6 weeks ago
winfrith |
"I'm not sure if i'd like to go back to 'not being watched' ....... I can think of so many things people used to be able to do without ever being found out ...."
Like pinching a biscuit out of the biscuit tin ?
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It was a work of fiction but aspects of it have seen real life imitating art. 
Sadly, the grotesque elements of human nature are fairly predictable. Wars and control of people are perhaps as old as our race. The use of technology depends on the time.
Sadly our current technology is pervasive and people have accepted it in to their lives, for good or ill. The totalitarian state in 1984 uses technology similar to what we have today, showing how close we could be to an equivalent nightmare. In more repressive regimes, they have greater similarities to 1984. China has much broader surveillance of its people and I'm glad I don't live there.
Orwell was brilliant at seeing what could be done, an exaggeration of what does happen today and should be a warning to us all. We have the technology developing that could be used for more terrifying outcomes and we are probably fortunate living today and not in the future. I do fear for the future and the liberty of people, with the rise of people like Trump and others who have interest in just themselves and not those who give them power. |
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"I was watching an interesting program about george orwell and his predictions for the future and how accurate it is, have you heard of the book he wrote? It is one of the most famous works by him. it is called 1984, he didnt write it 1984, but rather in 1949, that is 35 years before.
The book is about the dangerous of totalitarianism and the need for freedom of speech and also how the government excersizes complete control over every aspect of life.
What is your view about it, do you know about him and his predictions, also how accurate do you think they are and can we see some of it in todays society, also how could he be able to predict it so many years ago too? "
I think that, along with animal farm and even some of hg wells and possibly some others at the time as science fiction aldus Huxley as well, have proved to be very clever indeed. I think it's a note of warning and possibly paying a bit more heed to those labelled as conspiracy nutters when cautioning against computerised and digital everything. After it wasn't actually that long ago thta those works were created. Good discussion shag |
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By *hagTonight OP Man 6 weeks ago
From the land of haribos. |
"In some ways i think he did. Manipulation of people's thoughts by government propaganda is nothing new though
Didn't he write it at the end of the 2nd world war?"
Yes, you are right there, it was written more in the aftermath of ww2 in 1949 too |
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By *astpoetMan 6 weeks ago
where the world takes me |
"Orwell was a great political writer ,animal farm is great and shows the true socialist ideology ,1984 is very true today only 40 years after the title ,he also wrote down and out in Paris about his time as a waiter and the hierarchy that exists ,well worth a read "
Orwell/eric Blair was an avid socialist who fought in the international brigades in Spain against fascism, his target wasn’t socialism it was totalitarianism in all its forms
I always find it interesting how many people miss this, books like keep the aspidistra flying, homage to Catalonia and coming up for air all document his lifelong socialist views |
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"I was watching an interesting program about george orwell and his predictions for the future and how accurate it is, have you heard of the book he wrote? It is one of the most famous works by him. it is called 1984, he didnt write it 1984, but rather in 1949, that is 35 years before.
The book is about the dangerous of totalitarianism and the need for freedom of speech and also how the government excersizes complete control over every aspect of life.
What is your view about it, do you know about him and his predictions, also how accurate do you think they are and can we see some of it in todays society, also how could he be able to predict it so many years ago too?
I think that, along with animal farm and even some of hg wells and possibly some others at the time as science fiction aldus Huxley as well, have proved to be very clever indeed. I think it's a note of warning and possibly paying a bit more heed to those labelled as conspiracy nutters when cautioning against computerised and digital everything. After it wasn't actually that long ago thta those works were created. Good discussion shag"
Huxley (Brave New World) is probably a better guide to todays world to be fair. Orwell was a great writer but naive about technology's influence and that of capital. It has gone beyond anything he ever considered.
For all the surveillance in the world, it's not the state that is spying on us, as in 1984, rather private businesses. Utilising that data to market and shape our world view. A better guide to the nature of surveillance as an exercise of power would come from someone like Michel Foucault and his view of self-disciplining citizens (as in the Panopticon). |
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"I'm not sure if i'd like to go back to 'not being watched' ....... I can think of so many things people used to be able to do without ever being found out ...."
It's interesting because arguably that technology has been the biggest factor in reducing crime immensely across the world, yet ask people if they think crime is increasing or decreasing and they get it wrong. Most people think crime is worse now.
Perhaps related, crime which does occur is still largely unsolved or not pursued, even with the added surveillance. |
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"I'm not sure if i'd like to go back to 'not being watched' ....... I can think of so many things people used to be able to do without ever being found out ....
It's interesting because arguably that technology has been the biggest factor in reducing crime immensely across the world, yet ask people if they think crime is increasing or decreasing and they get it wrong. Most people think crime is worse now.
Perhaps related, crime which does occur is still largely unsolved or not pursued, even with the added surveillance."
Its interesting because perhaps the definition of "crime" and punishment and justice have blurred. Who even knows what the bulk of crimes are even defined as anymore? Let alone if anyone is caught and punished for it? For example Emptying sewage into our rivers is it even a crime? What's in our headlines feels like it should be a crime but is it? The "illegal" boat people? Social media and sentiment seem to have blurred many things with what we think we have seen or we think we know and in that regard the manipulation predicted was spot on. |
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"I'm not sure if i'd like to go back to 'not being watched' ....... I can think of so many things people used to be able to do without ever being found out ....Like pinching a biscuit out of the biscuit tin ?"
Letting tyres down. Peeing in the street. Knick knock .... car dents ... bike theft ..... list is endless |
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A lot of people seem to take 1984 as a “warning” or “prediction” of the future world, specifically about Free Speech and individual liberty.
Did he predict anything? No. Is it a warning? Again, no.
It’s quite well known that racists and horrible people quote 1984 when they get hit back with court or shunned because of what they said. Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences for terrible & abhorrent behaviour.
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By *8on33Man 6 weeks ago
winfrith |
"A lot of people seem to take 1984 as a “warning” or “prediction” of the future world, specifically about Free Speech and individual liberty.
Did he predict anything? No. Is it a warning? Again, no.
It’s quite well known that racists and horrible people quote 1984 when they get hit back with court or shunned because of what they said. Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences for terrible & abhorrent behaviour.
"
Well we certainly don't have free speach anymore everything has to be politically correct . |
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"Well we certainly don't have free speach anymore everything has to be politically correct ."
Yes we do but we need to be prepared to face the consequences. Speech has never been risk free in this country. |
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"A lot of people seem to take 1984 as a “warning” or “prediction” of the future world, specifically about Free Speech and individual liberty.
Did he predict anything? No. Is it a warning? Again, no.
It’s quite well known that racists and horrible people quote 1984 when they get hit back with court or shunned because of what they said. Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences for terrible & abhorrent behaviour.
Well we certainly don't have free speach anymore everything has to be politically correct ."
Free speech is alive and well, and just as available as it’s always been.
Political Correctness does not exist , there is no such thing, it is a fictitious notion.
You are perfectly free to speak about anything in any way you wish, within the bounds of the law. The law does not deal with Political Correctness, it does however, deal with such things as hate speech and related issues.
If you think the fictional Political Correctness is impeding your ‘free speech’ I assume you mean that other people are not ‘free’ to express their disagreement at your opinions. Wouldn’t that be denying them their ‘free speech’ ?  |
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"A lot of people seem to take 1984 as a “warning” or “prediction” of the future world, specifically about Free Speech and individual liberty.
Did he predict anything? No. Is it a warning? Again, no.
It’s quite well known that racists and horrible people quote 1984 when they get hit back with court or shunned because of what they said. Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences for terrible & abhorrent behaviour.
Well we certainly don't have free speach anymore everything has to be politically correct ."
Why do you think we don’t have free speech anymore? Can you give me any recent examples as to why you think that? |
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By *a LunaWoman 6 weeks ago
South Wales |
Of course us in the Western World have free speech. Anybody who doesn’t think that needs to go and bump their gums in …..oh I dunno….North Korea or somewhere.
We have freedom of speech so long as that speech doesn’t spread hate or harm or is slanderous. |
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"It wasn't a prediction."
Oh yes it was! He predicted what life would be like in 1984!!!
Wasn’t very accurate though. Really. For example, Winston Smith had to use a dial rather than touch screen or buttons. The 2 way television was a good touch though. |
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He predicted that it would 1984 exactly when it happened, genius.
I think Huxley's Brave New World was a more accurate prediction of the future. Some of the interviews he gave were really insightful.
"One day political campaigns will be something more akin to toothpaste commercials". |
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"He predicted that it would 1984 exactly when it happened, genius.
I think Huxley's Brave New World was a more accurate prediction of the future. Some of the interviews he gave were really insightful.
"One day political campaigns will be something more akin to toothpaste commercials"."
And I certainly note some epsilon types on here. |
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By *hagTonight OP Man 6 weeks ago
From the land of haribos. |
"I was watching an interesting program about george orwell and his predictions for the future and how accurate it is, have you heard of the book he wrote? It is one of the most famous works by him. it is called 1984, he didnt write it 1984, but rather in 1949, that is 35 years before.
The book is about the dangerous of totalitarianism and the need for freedom of speech and also how the government excersizes complete control over every aspect of life.
What is your view about it, do you know about him and his predictions, also how accurate do you think they are and can we see some of it in todays society, also how could he be able to predict it so many years ago too?
I think that, along with animal farm and even some of hg wells and possibly some others at the time as science fiction aldus Huxley as well, have proved to be very clever indeed. I think it's a note of warning and possibly paying a bit more heed to those labelled as conspiracy nutters when cautioning against computerised and digital everything. After it wasn't actually that long ago thta those works were created. Good discussion shag"
Yes, ty, it is a good discussion too  |
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I really found the idea that Orwell wrote about in 1984 that the state could control people’s thinking by gradually reducing the number of words to their lowest common meaning, thus reducing their ability to think. It was the canteen conversation with Symes, I think his name was. Fascinating. And here are our youth, in 2024 conversing in emojis! Like glorified hieroglyphs. |
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By *r.SJMan 6 weeks ago
Wellingborough |
"I really found the idea that Orwell wrote about in 1984 that the state could control people’s thinking by gradually reducing the number of words to their lowest common meaning, thus reducing their ability to think. It was the canteen conversation with Symes, I think his name was. Fascinating. And here are our youth, in 2024 conversing in emojis! Like glorified hieroglyphs. "
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"
What were your play and poetry?
Macbeth and The War Poets eg Wilfred Owen, Sassoon
What were yours ?"
Mine were the same as yours. School even took us to Stratford to see Macbeth in the theatre. |
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"He predicted that it would 1984 exactly when it happened, genius.
I think Huxley's Brave New World was a more accurate prediction of the future. Some of the interviews he gave were really insightful.
"One day political campaigns will be something more akin to toothpaste commercials".
And I certainly note some epsilon types on here. "
Really? I am too busy being alpha to notice. |
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