1984

So many things about this book are foundational to my belief systems. I originally read it as required reading in 1984 in middle school and have always considered it one of my favorite books. From the concept of constant surveillance to NewSpeak and DoubleThink, this is one heck of a deep read. The illicit affair that centers the story is practically laughable in retrospect.

This book is shockingly prescient. It was intended to be so and specifically targeted the year 1984 as when Orwell thought the things in the book would come to pass. He missed the target by a few years, but certainly hit the bulls-eye regarding outcome. It's truly awe-inspiring that Orwell was able to see this coming in 1948. I remember reading it back in 1984 and thinking, “wow, what a horrible world to live in. I'm so glad America could never end up like that.” What an naive idiot I was. For years, I've been thinking that this will be one of the first books made criminal in various countries as they abandon freedom of speech and implement authoritarian socialism.

I think it should be required reading for everyone in the world, but especially for all members of “Western Civilization.” (I would just leave it every human being, but after reading this, can you even imagine this being allowed in China?) It highlights again and again the truth that no matter which side of the aisle you may consider yourself to sit, the real “us against them” is citizens vs government. No corporation or other entity will ever have the power over you as an individual that government does. And giving any government more power will ONLY end up in ceding more of your liberty to them. And like a glutton, giving it a little power only makes it ravenously hungry for more. And it soon comes to a point that it will take that liberty from you against your will “For Your Own Good.”

This is the world in which we live today. People are Sheeple and they are literally demanding the government be given more power over us all. And both sides of government power are sitting in their offices laughing as they play the citizenry against each other, all the while taking more power for themselves.

Remember this: the farthest person opposite you on the political spectrum has 100% more in common with YOU than ANY professional politician ever has or ever will.