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Remembering George Orwell: Phrases you need to know living in an Orwellian society

In a world controlled by 'Big Brother' and constantly manipulated by a state-funded programme called 'Two Minutes Hate' whichfeeds hate and propaganda to the masses for two minutes every day, free thought has become the most rebellious act.
On George Orwell's birth anniversary, let's reflect on one of his most significant works, '1984' written in 1949, as the present times mirror the atmosphere in his books. In the dystopian novel '1984', the world is divided into three constantly warring b
On George Orwell's birth anniversary, let's reflect on one of his most significant works, '1984' written in 1949, as the present times mirror the atmosphere in his books. In the dystopian novel '1984', the world is divided into three constantly warring b
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Winston, a man who works at the 'Ministry of Truth' (which spreads state propaganda), one day defies 'Big Brother' and the 'Thought police' (which surveils your thoughts about the system) on April 4, 1984, and starts to write a diary entry in a corner of his room, the only one hidden from surveillance. That begins '1984'. Here are some words from 'Newspeak' , the controlled language, used in the fictional totalitarian state of Oceania in the book, which was designed by the government to limit freedom of thought.
Winston, a man who works at the 'Ministry of Truth' (which spreads state propaganda), one day defies 'Big Brother' and the 'Thought police' (which surveils your thoughts about the system) on April 4, 1984, and starts to write a diary entry in a corner of his room, the only one hidden from surveillance. That begins '1984'. Here are some words from 'Newspeak' , the controlled language, used in the fictional totalitarian state of Oceania in the book, which was designed by the government to limit freedom of thought.
First about Newspeak: The language primarily evolved from the political need of those in power to control the thoughts of the public, by way of the language used for communication. It eliminates critical thought by removing “negative” words and superlatives of the language and replacing it with a neutral-sounding, limited lexicon. Newspeak tricks the reader/user into believing it is objective, whereas it is a euphemistic manner of describing a political or ideological cause, for example, referring to the removal of mass currency from the market as the process of eliminating unaccounted wealth from the system.
First about Newspeak: The language primarily evolved from the political need of those in power to control the thoughts of the public, by way of the language used for communication. It eliminates critical thought by removing “negative” words and superlatives of the language and replacing it with a neutral-sounding, limited lexicon. Newspeak tricks the reader/user into believing it is objective, whereas it is a euphemistic manner of describing a political or ideological cause, for example, referring to the removal of mass currency from the market as the process of eliminating unaccounted wealth from the system.
Doublethink is a word or idea which has two contradictory meanings/interpretations. Orwell explains that Doublethink is the power of holding on to contradictory beliefs simultaneously and to use them for lying but at the same time genuinely believing them, mostly to forget inconvenient facts. Doublethink can be usually associated with a lack of cognitive dissonance (which causes conflict in the mind due to contradictory facts). Doublethink leads to the gradual deterioration of scientific spirit and accelerates the decay of historical facts from the minds, replaced with what the party has supplied.
Doublethink is a word or idea which has two contradictory meanings/interpretations. Orwell explains that Doublethink is the power of holding on to contradictory beliefs simultaneously and to use them for lying but at the same time genuinely believing them, mostly to forget inconvenient facts. Doublethink can be usually associated with a lack of cognitive dissonance (which causes conflict in the mind due to contradictory facts). Doublethink leads to the gradual deterioration of scientific spirit and accelerates the decay of historical facts from the minds, replaced with what the party has supplied.
Thought Police is the section of the party that picks out people who dissent, the ones who search for logic and reasoning, the one who according to the Thought Police commit Thought Crimes. The arm sieves through the public to find individuals who have thoughts against the great state, especially, 'Big Brother', in a society which is slowly slipping into cultural myopia due to fear and cultural  appropriation through violence. The effects are that people are in constant fear due to the fact they are always being watched and listened to. For example, imagine you are getting arrested for cheering for a sports team other than 'yours', because you think they play better, have charisma or for whatever reasons. It actually happens if you live in a totalitarian society.
Thought Police is the section of the party that picks out people who dissent, the ones who search for logic and reasoning, the one who according to the Thought Police commit Thought Crimes. The arm sieves through the public to find individuals who have thoughts against the great state, especially, 'Big Brother', in a society which is slowly slipping into cultural myopia due to fear and cultural  appropriation through violence. The effects are that people are in constant fear due to the fact they are always being watched and listened to. For example, imagine you are getting arrested for cheering for a sports team other than 'yours', because you think they play better, have charisma or for whatever reasons. It actually happens if you live in a totalitarian society.
In Orwellian terminology, this is an organisation made up of youth who rally for Big Brother, advocating complete celibacy for both sexes (note: it is 'both') and encourages artificial insemination or, in terms of the current society, a more 'appropriate' way of procreation.
In Orwellian terminology, this is an organisation made up of youth who rally for Big Brother, advocating complete celibacy for both sexes (note: it is 'both') and encourages artificial insemination or, in terms of the current society, a more 'appropriate' way of procreation.
Orwell says this is the way to throw out the 'dangerous' or dissentful thoughts from the mind. Crimestop is a systematic way to induce discipline to 'not' think of dissentful or dangerous thoughts by administering information to people, including children through textbooks, media and manual persuasion. What results is a society that completely relies on state propaganda media and other state-funded information disseminating outlets to evolve their thinking (or the lack of it). It is also a way to stop people from understanding the effects of a government policy by masking it with similar policies. For example, a highly controversial economic decision is pulled off in a night and while the population is suffering from its after-effects, another economic policy rolls out. The latter tactically gives the state a chance to mask the shortcomings of the previous one.
Orwell says this is the way to throw out the 'dangerous' or dissentful thoughts from the mind. Crimestop is a systematic way to induce discipline to 'not' think of dissentful or dangerous thoughts by administering information to people, including children through textbooks, media and manual persuasion. What results is a society that completely relies on state propaganda media and other state-funded information disseminating outlets to evolve their thinking (or the lack of it). It is also a way to stop people from understanding the effects of a government policy by masking it with similar policies. For example, a highly controversial economic decision is pulled off in a night and while the population is suffering from its after-effects, another economic policy rolls out. The latter tactically gives the state a chance to mask the shortcomings of the previous one.
Those who are loyal to the imaginary boundaries created by man would gather every week to reaffirm their belief in totalitarianism and the 'greater good', the ideal life resulting from total submission to the state. Massive rallies are organised by the 'Ministry of Truth' and are usually centred around 'Big Brother'. (Photo | Associated Press)
Those who are loyal to the imaginary boundaries created by man would gather every week to reaffirm their belief in totalitarianism and the 'greater good', the ideal life resulting from total submission to the state. Massive rallies are organised by the 'Ministry of Truth' and are usually centred around 'Big Brother'. (Photo | Associated Press)
The act of sexual intercourse in Big Brother's 'Oceania' is only for begetting children and strictly, not for pleasure. The idea of sex as a natural and human activity is appropriated by distorting history, cultural symbolism using the Ministry of Truth and Thought Police. For example, imagine a central council pamphlet advising women not to have sex or consume meat or even have lustful thoughts during pregnancy.
The act of sexual intercourse in Big Brother's 'Oceania' is only for begetting children and strictly, not for pleasure. The idea of sex as a natural and human activity is appropriated by distorting history, cultural symbolism using the Ministry of Truth and Thought Police. For example, imagine a central council pamphlet advising women not to have sex or consume meat or even have lustful thoughts during pregnancy.
The ministry is the party's propaganda machine and feeds the public with all the party news, education, entertainment and fine arts. Basically, they appropriate and scrutinise everything according to the ideology of 'Big Brother'. For example A biometric system for recording every individual's information is made to look mandatory by the state, thereby snatching your anonymity as a citizen, making you a potential target for anyone who has superior technical knowledge. The idea slowly disseminates that it is mandatory and the thought police as well as the party take it up, distorts it so that anyone who dissents become a criminal. (Photo | Associated Press)
The ministry is the party's propaganda machine and feeds the public with all the party news, education, entertainment and fine arts. Basically, they appropriate and scrutinise everything according to the ideology of 'Big Brother'. For example A biometric system for recording every individual's information is made to look mandatory by the state, thereby snatching your anonymity as a citizen, making you a potential target for anyone who has superior technical knowledge. The idea slowly disseminates that it is mandatory and the thought police as well as the party take it up, distorts it so that anyone who dissents become a criminal. (Photo | Associated Press)
In Orwell's dystopian society, if the party says that two and two equals five, you would be forced to believe it. If you are told that this land is yours and it's not 'theirs', you are supposed to believe it. The heresy of heresies become gospels of truth. History is changed according to the ruling party to suit their beliefs. Reality becomes something very objective, as you come to believe that everyone sees things the same way as you do, when it is not the case. For example, the journal of an official body of the government claims that the statue unearthed from an ancient civilization is a goddess from a religion. The official journal gives the claim validation even if it doesn't have any concrete proof or logical reason for it to be so. The thought clings on to the public, only to become reference points for infringement on scientific or historic studies.
In Orwell's dystopian society, if the party says that two and two equals five, you would be forced to believe it. If you are told that this land is yours and it's not 'theirs', you are supposed to believe it. The heresy of heresies become gospels of truth. History is changed according to the ruling party to suit their beliefs. Reality becomes something very objective, as you come to believe that everyone sees things the same way as you do, when it is not the case. For example, the journal of an official body of the government claims that the statue unearthed from an ancient civilization is a goddess from a religion. The official journal gives the claim validation even if it doesn't have any concrete proof or logical reason for it to be so. The thought clings on to the public, only to become reference points for infringement on scientific or historic studies.
Dissent
George Orwell
Novel
Big Brother
Oceania
1984
Orwellian
dystopian
Thought Police
Ministry of Truth
Goodsex
Thoughtcrime
Crimestop
Reality Control
Newspea

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