Timeless dystopian novel is unfortunately very timely. "1984" by George Orwell

Title: 1984

Author: George Orwell

Reviewer: Richard Sesek (educator, wantrepreneur)

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Topic/Intent of book: This dystopian novel (published in 1949) is a classic that many have read (in high school or perhaps college). The book portrays a world always at war with allies and enemies constantly switching and history being re-written to agree with the present-day version of the truth (e.g., “we have always been as war with … and allied with …”).

There is a totalitarian dictator that the common folk worship along with hyper patriotism and big rallies to whip the proletariat into supporting whatever Big Brother says is necessary. I believe that this book was meant to be a warning as to where society might head. Unfortunately, in many ways the warning is more like a prophecy.

I selected this book because: I reread this book because we are, unfortunately, experiencing much of what this book “predicts” about politics and the manipulation of information. I believe that Orwell was hoping to discourage such manipulation and propaganda rather than predict it. However, we now appear to live in a “post-fact” world or at least an “alternative fact” world.

I was curious how closely this book would describe the present day. I was horrified by the similarities of today’s politics with the what is described in the book, particularly the cynical way politicians use misinformation (often out-of-context quotations or even fully fabricated stories) to manipulate their constituents (aka their “team” or “fans”).

Recommendation: While it was somewhat depressing to read this given the parallels with today’s world, I am glad that I revisited this work. I highly recommend 1984 to anyone interested in exploring the potential consequences of unchecked government power and the manipulation of information. When persons with opposing viewpoints are vilified as “vermin” or “sub-human” (i.e., as Hitler did in his speeches) or their intentions/motivations falsely assigned (e.g., “they want to destroy America”, “they are unAmerican”, they are “dirty crooks that are cheating the system”), you give a “license” to your “team” to do whatever they deem necessary to “right the wrongs” and “justify” (to the misinformed) that they are not only doing the right thing, they are “saving America.”

If we want to prevent another January 6^th, we should seek to understand the motivations of people that considered it a “patriotic duty” to attack their own government. Unfortunately, I think that efforts to attack education (i.e., book banning which often includes this book) and lack of relevant self-reflection make it highly unlikely that people will read this classic and even less likely to properly conclude that 1984 is a sad case of “life imitating art.”

Major lessons from this book: This book resonates today as it did when written, perhaps more so since many of the concepts have become fulfilled prophecies. The manipulation and weaponization of language today has impacted the ability to conduct thoughtful discourse. The subsequent entrenchment of opposing viewpoints prevents meaningful compromise for the betterment of society. Psychological manipulation through “newspeak” and “doublethink” is particularly haunting to observe in real-time as illustrated by how language and frequent repetition of non-factual statements can control thought and shape the “reality” of many people.

Today’s steady flow of what should be easily refuted “fake news” (aka bullshit) along with the doubt cast on legitimate journalism (aka, “mainstream news” or “lamestream” news) has people believing some crazy nonsense (e.g., QANON) all while casting the truth as “fake news.”

Book Inspirations: I find myself reflecting on the fragility of truth and the importance of questioning authority. Rereading 1984 has inspired me to remain vigilant against attempts to distort reality and to champion open discourse as a means to preserve a free society. This book’s enduring relevance is a testament to its status as a masterpiece. This book encourages readers to contemplate the nature of power and to be aware of when we might be sacrificing some of our own autonomy and decision making, particularly when we are supporting “our side.”