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A Reader posted a review at 2008-02-26 04:25:05.
(Language: English)
This is arguably the most influential book of the 20th century. Even people who have never read it know of big brother and room 101. Various parts of this book have influened everyone from the highest politions to popular culture.It is also scary how true many parts of the book have become. It may be that the book did not predict the levels of technology we have today, but in a society where we are seen on camera dozens of times a day many could argue some of it's main points have come true.It's interesting that the Government thinks that there always needs to be an enemy to keep the population in line, and people quickly forget who the old enemy even was. Think Americas hatred of communism, quickly followed by their hatred of terrorism. The fact that the country is at war is also used as the reason for constant surveilance.It can be even argued that Orwells ideas of Newspeak can be seen today as Governments try to twist our language and make certain words and phrases taboo, if it is something against their own policies.Ok, so I don't think that the totalatarian state that Orwell predicts will become a reality, but certain parts of his nightmare vision have and increasingly will become reality. The book certainly make me think hard about certain Government ideas in ways I may not of thought about if I had not read this book. The good thing about this book is that every time a Government "big brother" policy is thought up, this book is used as a counter argument. I am certain that if this book had not been written that there could be even more Government surveilance around today than there already is.
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