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I read the clearview thread, who is Orwell? (1 Viewer)

Mark Oates

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I'd say the thought-crime implications of the Clearplay device (skipping anything that doesn't suit the "approved thinking" of the Clearplay censors) fulfills the Orwellian side of the argument.
 

D. Scott MacDonald

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The only censor is the consumer who decides which filters to apply. Clearplay doesn't decide what you should or should not watch, but rather categorizes content. Each customer has the option to decide what types of content they want to watch and what types they want to skip. I don't plan on buying one, but please try to understand what it actually does before you bash it (this is especially true for a "columnist" and a "reviewer").
 

Erik.Ha

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I think once the year 1984 came and went without resembling Orwell's 1984, (and the crappy film didn't help matters) "1984" became dated and passe.
 

Garrett Lundy

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"1984" has become symbolic of the loss of freedom/growth of the "Nanny state", and not so much a deadline for totolitarianism. Yes, 1984 semmed a long, far-off date when it was written in 1948, but by the 70's it was clear 1984 wouldn't happen on-schedule :)

The starnge thing, I find, is not what didn't really happen (three nations always at war), but the small things that did happen (even if they were only one-sentance bits of the book).

Examples of an Orwellian Distopia :

1. 1984 explains that the proletariates or "proles" tend to buy one brand of product. This brand is "Victory" and is suggested that it helped with the war. In the real world we may not drink Victory Gin or smoke Victory cigarettes, but we can ride Victory Motorcycles! (www.Victory-usa.com) :D

2. 1984 tells of a day when people will be entertained, observed, and communicated to via a 2-way television that cannot be turned off. The "video-phone" thats been prromised as 'just around the corner' by Ma Bell and others for 15 years still hasn't appeared. But rare is the man who can stare at the 5000 unblinking security cameras in seemingly every building and not be awed by the lack of privacy in everyones lives.

3. The re-writing of history, "doublespeak", "newspeak",and the elimination of vocabulary.. Really, have you looked at a modern American school text-book? The ministry of truth couldn't have written a better (or worse) nineth grade history book.

4. The party manufactures"music" to keep the proles happy. While in America we have the manufactured "music" of the RIAA to keep us content..oh joy! :rolleyes
 

RobertR

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They're not nearly in every building, and certainly not in private homes, which is a crucial distinction.

I would agree with the part about re-writing history and political pressure to revise vocabulary.

There doesn't seem to be a trend towards buying one brand. The ironic thing is that some people claim that there are TOO many brands, TOO many choices (compare, for example, the number of telecommunications and broadcast choices people have now to then), and that this is wasteful.

The biggest anti-1984 factor, though, seems to be the Internet. It's an extremely powerful means of bypassing the mass media and government and allowing individuals to share information directly. It knows no borders, and allows an unprecedented level of freedom from institutional control.
 

Doug:Li

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Wow. I don't know how to respond to that comment...

I think 1984 is more and more important in these uncertain times. With the consolidation of media companies, we are starting to get fewer and fewer 'voices' in the media. You should go back and reread it. And the movie is on a pretty good DVD. Its a good adaptation of the book. Is it bleak and depressing? Sure, but thats the point.

2 + 2 = 5
 

Erik.Ha

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Sorry Doug... Until they put rats on your face for refusing to listen, Im not buying it...
 

Grant B

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When they put rats in your face you know you are not free; no rats in face hence the illusion of freedom is achieved and no struggle.
Illusion of the freedom of press is wonderful....and the internet is for porn and nutcases so why believe that?

Where is Noam Chomsky when you need him?
 

Doug:Li

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Heh. hopefully that day will never come!:) I think its more about the subtlety of the Orewellian expirience. The idea that you dont know until its too late, that things have changed and power is now absolute. The quiet manipulation of society, thru politics or money or the media. The idea that if the lie is repeated enough, it becomes the truth.
 

D. Scott MacDonald

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I agree that politicians (regardless of party) will always try to grab power for themselves, but as long as we still have the right to vote them out, it's not really Orwellian. I won't say much more on this topic, as this is not the right forum for it.

But I still have to ask: "What is it you want to do that you cannot do now, but were allowed to in the past?"
 

Erik.Ha

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Im pretty pissed that on the fourth of July, I can't light off fireworks like I did when I was a kid... Of course I CAN burn my American Flag, so I guess its an even trade?
 

D. Scott MacDonald

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You are right. It seems like nobody is able to express their opinions about current events these days. It's not like there's a million blogs covering them, and it's not like I don't drive past at least one protest every weekend. If you don't like current events, you can vote to change things in a few months - hardly Orwellian.
 

Robert_Gaither

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That's not necessarily true as I think the candidates offered represent special interests instead of constituent's interest. I vote third party as a protest vote since not voting imo leaves a person with no excuse to complain.
 

Adam Barratt

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Just a friendly reminder to participants in this thread not to stray into political territory.

Ironic, no? :)

Adam Barratt
HTF Administrator
 

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