I've never seen anything as beautiful as this amazing masterpiece. Please continue to do this amazing work. Kudos to you for contributing to the deeper meaning behind Orwell's 1984 and the world of literature. ❤
This video put to words the thoughts I’ve been having for a while! I think it’s incredible how Orwell managed to create a narrative so applicable to today’s society despite how long ago he wrote it. I loved your commentary and connecting Orwell’s themes and concepts from 1984 to present day :)
Thanks for watching! Yes, there's so much in this book and it's so misunderstood by the culture at large. That's really why I wanted to make the video. Cheers!
Thanks for watching! I would argue 1984 is a philosophical and political rather than a literary masterpiece. But you're right---in light of our own times, it almost reads more like a horror novel. I want to tell our leaders: "1984 was a warning NOT a how-to guide!" haha
This is really well said, Jordan. Saw some satire last week, where a comedian said so something along the lines of, ... look how much better things are getting! Way better than 1984.
Glad to see you covering this book, and you’re completely right on the money with most of your points. While I don’t think we’re in Orwell’s future, there are certain things that are awfully reminiscent of what he described. When I see people mobbing up on Twitter, I always think of the Two Minutes Hate. I’m often bothered by how sides of the political spectrum try to use this book for their own ends. I complained about this in my review so I’ll keep it brief. People who say ‘oh, we’re in 1984’ when their political opponents do something they don’t like are missing the point of the book. Orwell isn’t complaining about a particular party, he’s giving us a warning about totalitarianism and how authoritarian governments take control of the people. Great art transcends party politics. Great video Jordan, keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching, Britton. Yes, I certainly don't think that we're fully in Orwell's dystopia, but I do think that our ruling class behaves in a fashion, quite often, that is nakedly and brazenly Orwellian. Our saving grace is likely that our system is so durable and robust. Thank goodness for separated powers, federalism, subsidiarity, and checks and balances. Cheers, my friend!
What a wonderful analysis. I knew the movie, but read the book earlier this year for the first time and your thoughts are very recognizable. Also note how the thou art is actually very much embedded in our society. I believe that ever since the 50s succesful governements (whether they are a so-called democracies or have another form) have been engineering identity rather than behaviour at the level of staying in power and controlling the narrative. And to be clear, I do not mean in order to gain votes within the democratic process. Each government in the end is about controlling a population and power and is serving a significant minority more than the overall population (Hence the rich getting continuously getting richer in western countries). Then again, this is not some conspiracy thing. I'm sincerely unsure there could be any other kind of government, given human nature.
Yes, I agree very much with your comments. I, too, am fairly Hobbesian regarding human nature. Thus the importance of networks of accountability, checks and balances, and proper incentive systems. Thanks for watching. :) Cheers!
I saw an article recently contrasting Orwell’s 1984 erosion of the future with Huxley’s Brave New World (controlling the people by with trivial information dulling their critical thinking … thoughts?
I'm going to make a video at some point this fall---it'll be a comparative analysis of Brave New World and 1984. In other words, who got it right? I can't wait. I think Huxley may have been more prophetic. Not to take anything away from Orwell. Huxley's idea that in the future the State would drown us in pleasure and addiction to control us, rather than relying on brute force, is certainly compelling and rather... evocative, let's say. :)
@@JosephCohen-x4gThanks for your thoughts! I think the whole “fake news” discourse may be closer to Orwell than Huxley, but I love both of those books.
I had a similar thought yesterday. Near where I live is a train station, 2 platforms, and the secone of which is entirely accessed via a steep staircase. Wheelchair users are entirely unable to access half the station without significant man power. Seeing something like that, a material weakness, makes so many of the word games around disability and able bodies etc meaningless. It all feels like a minor distraction. We dont materially deal with the issues in a way thay directly helps one a other, as some would rather talk about the vernacular surrounding the the issues in place of actually resolving solutions. It feels like an elaborate cultural filibuster. And I see this all over. Using language as an obstruction. Sometimes its used to prevent change, sometimes its people who want change being caught up in think thay correcting their syntax is actually a meaningful way to create societal change. And I think that, the idea that people will bicker over what is and is not an issue, through the use of language eventually just leads to little being done and the ability to create such a divisive culture. I think thats almost an element that Orwell hints at, but didn't realise how impactful that aspect of his philosophy would become.
Well said, my friend. We need to focus on the sorts of solutions that help people. Smothering the problem with euphemisms helps no one and just gives us a more dishonest, Orwellian world. Thanks for watching!
The real issue is, probably, that you cant have subtle and nuanced discussions about the limit of inherent characteristics without people automatically thinking it is all or nothing. Both those sharing and those disagreeing. On the other side, certain groups, which would like to claim they are embracing obvious facts about human nature and reality, happen to overlap considerably with absolute nutters. And I wonder a lot about the extent to which we revert to timeless truths or timeless falsehoods. Actually, this is a pretty religious point..
There's one point where I disagree though. I do not think religion is necessarily only a safeguard against totalitarianism. Institutionalized relgion is equally a tool for totalitarianism, even across government systems. Some of the most bigoted an dangerous ideas, behaviours and even many wars are and have been prolifically propagated or caused by religious leaders or leaders bending the meaning of a religion.
I also agree with this. I do think having private loyalties and belief in a transcendent authority can help, but churches themselves are yet another type of human institution and those will always be corrupt.
I've never seen anything as beautiful as this amazing masterpiece. Please continue to do this amazing work. Kudos to you for contributing to the deeper meaning behind Orwell's 1984 and the world of literature. ❤
Thanks very much for the kinds words! :) Glad I could be of service. Cheers!
This video put to words the thoughts I’ve been having for a while! I think it’s incredible how Orwell managed to create a narrative so applicable to today’s society despite how long ago he wrote it. I loved your commentary and connecting Orwell’s themes and concepts from 1984 to present day :)
Thanks for watching! Yes, there's so much in this book and it's so misunderstood by the culture at large. That's really why I wanted to make the video. Cheers!
Just finished this one a few weeks ago. More valid today than ever and it's a bit scary. Awesome video man.
Thanks for watching! I would argue 1984 is a philosophical and political rather than a literary masterpiece. But you're right---in light of our own times, it almost reads more like a horror novel. I want to tell our leaders: "1984 was a warning NOT a how-to guide!" haha
This is really well said, Jordan. Saw some satire last week, where a comedian said so something along the lines of, ... look how much better things are getting! Way better than 1984.
Lol, love the irony there. Thanks for watching, Laura! :)
I personally LOVED 1984 thanks for your insights on the book. Also really agree with what @TheBreadSniffer had to say♥️
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers!
1984 should be mandatory reading for everyone. Crazy world we're living in.
Very true. And you're right. The world has gone crazy. Orwell reminds us that the crazy isn't normal and that the world could be so much better.
Amazing analysis! Watching in loop, I hope Big Brother doesn't hear me...😅
Thank you so much! Big Brother is watching you! :)
Glad to see you covering this book, and you’re completely right on the money with most of your points. While I don’t think we’re in Orwell’s future, there are certain things that are awfully reminiscent of what he described. When I see people mobbing up on Twitter, I always think of the Two Minutes Hate.
I’m often bothered by how sides of the political spectrum try to use this book for their own ends. I complained about this in my review so I’ll keep it brief. People who say ‘oh, we’re in 1984’ when their political opponents do something they don’t like are missing the point of the book. Orwell isn’t complaining about a particular party, he’s giving us a warning about totalitarianism and how authoritarian governments take control of the people. Great art transcends party politics.
Great video Jordan, keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching, Britton. Yes, I certainly don't think that we're fully in Orwell's dystopia, but I do think that our ruling class behaves in a fashion, quite often, that is nakedly and brazenly Orwellian. Our saving grace is likely that our system is so durable and robust. Thank goodness for separated powers, federalism, subsidiarity, and checks and balances. Cheers, my friend!
What a wonderful analysis. I knew the movie, but read the book earlier this year for the first time and your thoughts are very recognizable. Also note how the thou art is actually very much embedded in our society. I believe that ever since the 50s succesful governements (whether they are a so-called democracies or have another form) have been engineering identity rather than behaviour at the level of staying in power and controlling the narrative.
And to be clear, I do not mean in order to gain votes within the democratic process. Each government in the end is about controlling a population and power and is serving a significant minority more than the overall population (Hence the rich getting continuously getting richer in western countries). Then again, this is not some conspiracy thing. I'm sincerely unsure there could be any other kind of government, given human nature.
Yes, I agree very much with your comments. I, too, am fairly Hobbesian regarding human nature. Thus the importance of networks of accountability, checks and balances, and proper incentive systems. Thanks for watching. :) Cheers!
I saw an article recently contrasting Orwell’s 1984 erosion of the future with Huxley’s Brave New World (controlling the people by with trivial information dulling their critical thinking … thoughts?
I'm going to make a video at some point this fall---it'll be a comparative analysis of Brave New World and 1984. In other words, who got it right? I can't wait. I think Huxley may have been more prophetic. Not to take anything away from Orwell. Huxley's idea that in the future the State would drown us in pleasure and addiction to control us, rather than relying on brute force, is certainly compelling and rather... evocative, let's say. :)
Can’t wait to see that. Is ‘fake news’ nearer to Orwell or Huxley? Fantastic discussion of 1984 .. Subscribed after reading it.
@@JosephCohen-x4gThanks for your thoughts! I think the whole “fake news” discourse may be closer to Orwell than Huxley, but I love both of those books.
👏👏👏👏👏
Thanks for tuning in, Penny! :)
Big brother is watching me 😰
Quite possibly. haha
I had a similar thought yesterday. Near where I live is a train station, 2 platforms, and the secone of which is entirely accessed via a steep staircase.
Wheelchair users are entirely unable to access half the station without significant man power. Seeing something like that, a material weakness, makes so many of the word games around disability and able bodies etc meaningless. It all feels like a minor distraction. We dont materially deal with the issues in a way thay directly helps one a other, as some would rather talk about the vernacular surrounding the the issues in place of actually resolving solutions. It feels like an elaborate cultural filibuster.
And I see this all over. Using language as an obstruction. Sometimes its used to prevent change, sometimes its people who want change being caught up in think thay correcting their syntax is actually a meaningful way to create societal change.
And I think that, the idea that people will bicker over what is and is not an issue, through the use of language eventually just leads to little being done and the ability to create such a divisive culture. I think thats almost an element that Orwell hints at, but didn't realise how impactful that aspect of his philosophy would become.
Well said, my friend. We need to focus on the sorts of solutions that help people. Smothering the problem with euphemisms helps no one and just gives us a more dishonest, Orwellian world. Thanks for watching!
The real issue is, probably, that you cant have subtle and nuanced discussions about the limit of inherent characteristics without people automatically thinking it is all or nothing. Both those sharing and those disagreeing.
On the other side, certain groups, which would like to claim they are embracing obvious facts about human nature and reality, happen to overlap considerably with absolute nutters.
And I wonder a lot about the extent to which we revert to timeless truths or timeless falsehoods. Actually, this is a pretty religious point..
I agree. The nuance here is key. Thanks for watching. Cheers! :)
* version not erosion, sorry
There's one point where I disagree though. I do not think religion is necessarily only a safeguard against totalitarianism. Institutionalized relgion is equally a tool for totalitarianism, even across government systems. Some of the most bigoted an dangerous ideas, behaviours and even many wars are and have been prolifically propagated or caused by religious leaders or leaders bending the meaning of a religion.
I also agree with this. I do think having private loyalties and belief in a transcendent authority can help, but churches themselves are yet another type of human institution and those will always be corrupt.