After reading up through page 105 I feel like I now have enough information about the world of 1984 and the main character to begin analyzing it. Winston lives in a dystopia set in London in 1984. Every aspect of his life is controlled by the government. People can be killed in this society for thoughtcrime (or thinking against the government) and are constantly watched for signs of it.
What I find most interesting so far is that even though the book was written in 1949 about the year 1984, it is becoming increasingly relevant as time goes on. The propaganda that is constantly shown to the people is comparable to the media and the messages that society is constantly forced to watch today in advertising. Also, the monitoring the government does in 1984 reminds me a lot of the NSA. I am interested to see how many of Orwell's predictions hold true as I read more.
I find it interesting that you mention the NSA. While I think you're right that the NSA's recent initiatives have been somewhat similar to surveillance in 1984, I think there is an important distinction. the NSA has been carrying out its activities in the name of protecting American Citizens. It targets groups and individuals seeking to threaten and kill Americans. The Though Police however target members of their own society who even think about challenging their government. While the two programs are indeed very similar, I don't know if we are there yet because of this difference in purpose.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if I agree with you Vineet. The way I see it, the Thought Police could use the same logic that you say the NSA uses. The Thought police "targets groups and individuals seeking to threaten" the people and government of Oceania. The Thought Police works in the name of protecting Big Brother, just as the NSA works in the name of protecting the American government. I think there purposes are very similar, just not to the same degree.
ReplyDeleteInteresting conversation. In recent history, the Patriot Act has allowed for expanded surveillance under the guise of protecting American citizens. However, it has been criticized for how it widens the scope of the government's access. At this time, we're not the Thought Police, but there's a slippery slope too, right?
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