1984: A Possible Future?

[Phoenix]

I've been reading the book 1984 by George Orwell and I've been wondering..In the real world, could Big Brother and Oligarchical Collectivism work? Why or why not?

For those that don't know what 1984 is or what Oligarchical Collectivism is..I could only say this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldstein%27s_book will answer your problems.

In the book, the basic gist of it is to dumb down and make the population struggle in order for the rulers of the country to stay in power, all while controlling the middle class to make sure they don't incite a rebellion against the rulers. Thus, a permanent leadership is sustained. The book also believes that by making the population uncomfortable and limiting their speech, they stay stressed enough to not think for themselves. I could see why this would work in the fictional world, but would it work in our real world? Why or why not, this seems interesting enough a topic for me to post here.

 

[Trek22]

Well when you look at the Iragi war you'd think a system like that was already working pretty successfully.  In earlier generations the majority of the population was on the Government's ass about the war, but with this generation I'd say 8 out of 10 people who hear that another US contractor has died seem to think of construction workers.  Little is known about the new military in our own country let alone what is going on outside of our borders.  The school system is a disaster with just as many dropoouts as graduates in some places.  You heard a big deal about a problem with imigration at one point and the Government was going to do something about it or whatever right?  You remember hearing of something like that maybe a year or few ago?  And then you don't hear anything else about it except for a case here and there where it takes 3 years for the feds to make an immigration bust. 

If you'd like I could site sources for you, but I think the Gov't already done a fantastic job dumbing down the entire population so nobody seems to seriously care about what is going on.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

I see how this could happen in places.
North Vietnam is probably the most likely, in my opinion, true case testament that can eventually come.  If it goes that far.

However I can't see the "Western" world partaking in this.  Liberties can be traded for felt of safety but wherever a comedian, activist, or ultimately pissed of individual resides you'll find it impossible - once given the ability to express, even in the past - to remove said obligations.

The internet will destroy the concept or bring it to new life.

 

[Legendary]

I doubt Big Brother could rise in the Western World now.

Soma, on the other hand, is probably already being mass-produced in some secret facility.

 

[Marcus]

If you'd like I could site sources for you, but I think the Gov't already done a fantastic job dumbing down the entire population so nobody seems to seriously care about what is going on.

The media controls the flow of information in the western world, not the government.  I would even go as far as to say that the American media is MORE POWERFUL than the government itself.  As a person in the military I can tell you that if someone wants to report information then they have the right to.  The government can shut down sources for leaking too much information (such as the blabbermouth reporter kicked out of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom) but with the Internet being a literal infinite resource, it's impossible to control 100% of the media's information.  I can tell you that there were no American deaths in Iraq during the month of October but only one news source reported it.

With that said, developed countries are too self aware to be easily controled by a single person.  America's entire history is made up of revolutions and men/women fighting for their rights.  This entire country was built from oppressed individuals who begat oppressed individuals who fought for their freedom and begat more oppressed individuals.  When the colonies broke free from Britain, they split in half.  When the two halves went to war, the slaves where freed.  When the country was united, the women demanded the right to vote.  With the entire country united, we fought as one during two major wars.  When the wars were over, we fought against segregation.  Then we battled against corrupt politicians and ancient conservative rules of governing.  Now we're battling against homophobic prejudice and immigration laws.  The fight to free ourselves from OURSELVES will never end so long as this country stands.

 

[sixtyandaquarter]

Marcus you just reaffirmed almost every symposium I've wanted to post with that 2nd half.
I could give you a cookie.

 

[Ninjitsu]

The simple fact that we are talking about this now, its counterproductive to that end.
Keep our minds open, and stay questioning and all Dane Cook-y, we'll be fine.

Well, fine, used for THAT scenario.
Not that Al Gore invented weather phenomena.

With that said, developed countries are too self aware to be easily controled by a single person.  America's entire history is made up of revolutions and men/women fighting for their rights.  This entire country was built from oppressed individuals who begat oppressed individuals who fought for their freedom and begat more oppressed individuals.  When the colonies broke free from Britain, they split in half.  When the two halves went to war, the slaves where freed.  When the country was united, the women demanded the right to vote.  With the entire country united, we fought as one during two major wars.  When the wars were over, we fought against segregation.  Then we battled against corrupt politicians and ancient conservative rules of governing.  Now we're battling against homophobic prejudice and immigration laws.  The fight to free ourselves from OURSELVES will never end so long as this country stands.

Hey any mod who reads this:
^ Increase the sig character size to THIS ^

Edit: 919.

 

[Dissonance]

Hey any mod who reads this:
^ Increase the sig character size to THIS ^

What, no.  That quote isn't worth putting in a signature.

Also, sorry Marcus, but immigration laws are a good thing.  We need to fight to keep them around.  :|