Yes, it is 2003, but are we getting closer to 1984?

[Immortal Goat]

If you have read the amazingly entertaining (yet wholly depressing) novel 1984 by George Orwell, then you know what I am talking about. I fear that our world is getting closer to the "negative Utopia" described within it's pages. With stronger government control over our daily lives, we are starting to see "Big Brother" come around. It is only a matter of time before history as we know it will cease to exist, and instead, we will be force-fed a re-worked version of the past that will suit the needs of the government. This is, of course, if things proceed to go the way they are. It can be prevented, but not with our current leadership.

[AChimp]

Heh. Maybe on your side of the border. Up here nobody cares.

[Perndog]

Most of us don't care in the States, either.

[ScruU2wice]

i can safely say that ill probably dead before i start worrying about any of it

[The_voice_of_reason]

I already have people watching me through cameras all day.

[AChimp]

But they're paying you $19.95 per month for their subscriptions, so that doesn't count.

[CaptainBubba]

The day he starts actually charging us is the day I steal my mom's credit card.

[The_voice_of_reason]

I'll be a millionare over night.







I only have 2 subscribers but once word gets out, I'll make a killing.

[Sir Douglas Chapwire]

Not 1984 per se, since that's a very communistish society, which given the time that Orwell was writing in isn't surprising. I'd imagine something more along the lines of Mussolinian fascism.

(Hmm, I made up two words, communistish and Mussolinian.)

[FS]

WHAT!?@!?@?

HOLY SHIT GUYS 1984 IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

NEVER FORGET

FUCK WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE

GOD DAMMIT I DIDNT KNOW ABOUT THIS WHAT THE FUCK

HELP

[UtterParadox]

Originally Posted by Immortal Goat

If you have read the amazingly entertaining (yet wholly depressing) novel 1984 by George Orwell, then you know what I am talking about. I fear that our world is getting closer to the "negative Utopia" described within it's pages.

1. There's a word for "negative utopia". It's "dystopia".
2. 1984 was one of the most boring books I've ever read.
3. The way the Constitution is written, the government doesn't have enough power to create that sort of world. They'd have to ditch the Constitution in order to finish the job, and not even Dubya's dumb enough to do that.
4. We're already getting the reworked version of history. Columbus was a mass-murderer, Washington and Jefferson both owned slaves, and FDR was more of a horndog than Clinton.
5. For Big Brother to work, you need steady government control. Our system switches leaders every 4-8 years, so that's not going to work.
6. Nice little slam at Bush in the last sentence.

[mburbank]

Washington and Jefferson didn't own slaves?

[AChimp]

Well, Max, you see, technically they weren't slaves; they were really just a bunch of blacks who decided that it would be nice of them to work for free.

[The One and Only...]

Originally Posted by UtterParadox

3. The way the Constitution is written, the government doesn't have enough power to create that sort of world. They'd have to ditch the Constitution in order to finish the job, and not even Dubya's dumb enough to do that.

The Constitution has already been thrown out the door in a few areas. Example: look at the power the judicial branch now holds.

[UtterParadox]

Originally Posted by mburbank

Washington and Jefferson didn't own slaves?

You missed the point. What I was spouting was actually the TRUE version of history. The fake version reads as follows: "Columbus was a noble explorer, Washington and Jefferson never exploited their fellow man, and FDR was celibate."

[CaptainBubba]

Originally Posted by UtterParadox

The way the Constitution is written, the government doesn't have enough power to create that sort of world. They'd have to ditch the Constitution in order to finish the job, and not even Dubya's dumb enough to do that.

Ya, but do you really expect someone who has the ability to take more power and who wants to to give a damn? The constituion becomes more meaningless every day. If anyone gave a shit about the constitution Bush would be out of office.

[ranxer]

If anyone gave a shit about the constitution Bush would be out of office.

really? i thought those that were calling for impeachment/restoring the constitution have been slammed by the orwelian 'patriots' claiming that they are just usa haters..

as 1984 slogans go it seems we are mostly there:
"War is Peace"
"Freedom is Slavery"
"Ignorance is Strength"

[El Blanco]

Ranx, what about your moto:

"Paranoia is power"

[The One and Only...]

Ranx is by far the strangest poster I've seen on this forum. For all his paranoia and fear of the government, he supports left wing politics. Strange, I tell ya...

[The_Rorschach]

"If you have read the amazingly entertaining (yet wholly depressing) novel 1984 by George Orwell, then you know what I am talking about."

Isn't this still required reading in High School? I found it more amusing than anything else, even when I read it initially. People seem to think politicians are either the ultimate agents of unrelenting evil, or bumbling beaurocrats incapable of effecting change.

[bluedisc]

ive never read 1984 but my friends that read books have told me all about it. its the rave! its not required reading, though animal farm is. anyway i just wanna agree with the guy who started this thread. im afriad that "homeland security" (which is a lame name might i add) could be a threat cause it's new and was created by a terrible administration, the bush admin. also, does the nsa even exist? and if so how strong are they? and are they run by benevolant (good) people? protect the constitution! apathy is suicide!

[Big McLargehuge]

I have a shirt that has Uncle Sam in the "I want you" pose with the words "war is peace freedom is slavery ignorance is strength"



Yeah and fuck the person above me.

[Perndog]

American high schools don't have standard literature curriculums - either the local school board chooses what will be read, or it's the teacher's choice. At least in my high school, we were split into Honors and basic English from 9-12 grades and we only read about two of the same books (Huckleberry Finn and something I can't even remember).

[bluedisc]

dudes right, teachers choice in il. also huck finn was funny! and i was the only one who laughed. america's full of dummies! or kids these days have no sense of humor. which brings me back to 1984. be smart, don't be that damn donkey from animal farm. if you see something funny happening, dont be afraid to blow the whistle. ill be there to back you up!

[El Blanco]

Go back and beat your English teachers. Seriously.

Is there ever a time a big group with autority isn't refered to as "Big Brother"?

Honestly, I see us moving towards Brave New World myself.