1984’s Relevance to Today’s Society
In 1984, by George Orwell, a future was predicted where the government would be in total power and control. As predicted, technology is an addiction to many people in this century that consumes American lives on a daily basis. In addition to the prediction of technology, Orwell was also correct about the government’s use of censorship and control war acts. Although America is perceived to be a democracy with the right to vote in elections and in decisions made by the government, society is blindly controlled and manipulated by the government and this is happening everywhere without society even realizing.
Americans privacy can and is being invaded all the time. In chapter 1 Part 1 of 1984 Orwell describes the telescreen.“The instrument (the telescreen, it called) could be dimmed, but there was no way of shutting it off completely.” Orwell describes the telescreen that monitors everyone’s move. It is a way to see everyone easier and to help the government know who is where to keep track of their every move. Telescreens are full of confessions from “thought criminals.” They confessed to hatred of the government, crimes of all kinds, perversions of all kinds. On the other hand in America daytime talk shows are full of dumb people who enjoy sharing tales of their pathetic existence with the whole world. The telescreens as well as our televisions are a way of control that the government has over us. Although televisions are not yet made so the government is able to hear or see you, much of society’s privacy is being invaded already. “Telescreens” as Orwell called them in the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, were everywhere in every room. This constant surveillance was what the citizens of Oceania had to go through every second and moment of time. As Orwell mentions on Chapter 9 Part 2 in this novel, “A party member lives from birth to death under the eye of the thought police. Even when he is alone he can never be sure that he is alone. Wherever he may be, asleep or awake, working or resting, in his bath or in bed, he can be inspected without warning and without knowing that he is being inspected.” Orwell’s prediction is true in a way, because many city busses have cameras and trolley stops too. Surveillance cameras are located in most buildings (operated by businesses) and in some public streets (operated by police) to prevent crime. Although most of these cameras are operated by private businesses instead of our intrusive government, the end result is the same. Americans are still being watched over on the internet, buses and even in schools by the government.
In 1984 war was similar to the world and war now, but also had its differences. There are wars going on in the United States and Afghanistan, as well as other countries fighting each other. The United States changed the war from fighting Hussein in Iraq at first and then changing it to fighting Bin Laden in Afghanistan. As Orwell says in his novel on Chapter 9 Part 2, "Oceania was at war with Eastasia: Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia." This manipulation occurs a lot in modern times. There is much that the government keeps from Americans such as the F.B.I and undercover investigations. American society has come to be very distracted with our developments in technology that citizens don’t realize how much it is blinding people in a negative way. Big Brother is similar to the Patriot act. The US has always been at war, once a war is declared, it is like peace never existed. The failing economy, the mass poor…the similarities are endless. the Patriot Act (USA PATRIOT Act) which gives the government more investigative power in order to prevent further acts of terrorism. Many people are opposed to the bill and refer to it as "Big Brother" because it gives the government so much power over our privacy. In this article, the writer lets society know that the Patriot Act is a very sticky agreement. This act gives the government a lot of power and control over what measures to take to protect society and keep everyone safe.
In George Orwell’s novel 1984, Winston Smith worked for The Ministry of Truth with Big Brother watching over him at all times. Now, he was a censor. He deleted details and “corrected” news articles to rewrite history and change facts. In his job for the Ministry, Winston even altered photographs and documents to fit the party line. Moderators today don’t share Winston Smith’s motivations. People defend clients’ rights. The right to freedom of speech is subject to limitations, as with libel, slander, obscenity and incitement to commit a crime. When using a business or organization’s website, one enters into an agreement to follow the guidelines of their web hosts.
1984 helps others expand the way they view the government and how much power and control citizens lack. After reading this novel, It is clear that many of Orwell’s predictions have come true. Our technology is advancing and things are happening around us everyday that citizens may or may not be aware of at the time. The government plays a big role in this novel because they can write and rewrite history. In Nineteen Eighty-Four Winston mentions this quote, “He who controls the future controls the past.” This novel can be a big eye opener in society and change the way Americans view things, to see the changes the government make and use to manipulate society.