There are 4 choices, 5 votes for EtherealReality's debate

An Orwellian Society

Do you believe a totalitarian government similar to the one in George Orwell's novel 1984 could ever actually occur? If so, do you believe a single government with complete control over every aspect of a persons life could have any positive affects, or be simply a negative thing? *side note: sorry for the multiple post on the same topic. my computer has been infected with a rather malignant virus and its reeking havoc on my ability to do pretty much anything correctly on it*


  • Eh

    I suppose it could, but it's coming about would be difficult. Aspects of it are certainly possible and even likely. Like misdirection and ostracism and contradictions equaling truth. But I don't know if it will get to the point where everyone lives in fear and is either miserable or mindless. Though maybe I'm being too optimistic to human nature?

    I'd say something along the lines of Brave New World is more likely, where it's also a lot of misdirection and an overall totalitarian society with brainwashing, but people LOVE it. Good and safe drugs, awesome entertainment, carefree lives with not too tough work. Heck, if it wasn't for the genetically altered class system and removal of families, I wouldn't mind it myself!

    40%  Voted for by Weydon, antsandmoths.
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  • Probably not, but don't rule it out

    I believe that the world within 1984 is slightly possible. Dystopian novels like Brave New World, 1984 and A Modern Utopia all share a common trait - they all seemed to be a possible reality for the authors in their respective time periods and all shown the same observations of how the society was goingt o turn out if it didn't change for the better. Never underestimate the power of the media in the wrong hands; it only takes a society like Hitler's Germany to realise that. And again, countries like North Korea are so isolationist, you have no idea what could be going on within. Maybe a western country would not be brought into an Orwellian society but certainly a small, impressionable people could be manipulated enough.

    Voted for by janstar.
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  • Nope sorry.

    The concept of this is indeed a scary one. Good thing that it will never happen. As easy as it is to control people, the decaying factor of greed and human entropy will eventually prove impossible to overcome in the pursuit of a "utopian" society. Really good book though.

    Voted for by Latet Artifex.
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  • Doubtful

    A full-blown Orwellian society? No, I don't think so. One of the unique things about the government in 1984 was the way it used language to control thought. I can't imagine any way that a government could LIMIT language the way The Party did. People will continue to talk the way they've talked, despite what Webster or the government say is or is not a word. Given generations, it may be possible, but I still see it as unlikely.

    As for Guantanamo, racial profiling, and other things that seem to hint at the beginnings of such a government: yes but (there's always a but) I think the public reaction to such events must be considered. Guantanamo was certainly NOT received well by the general public, and racial profiling in airports and other places is still a source of heated debate. In 1984 such events were complacently accepted, if not glorified. Before such events can be seen as the beginnings of an Orwellian society, the reaction to them needs to become more accepting. Maybe this is purely my opinion, but I don't think that will be happening any time soon.

    Voted for by hylian90.
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