how can we relate the book 1984 by George Orwell to today's world
212146
A lot of what's in the book is happening right now...but the fictional leadership characters in 1984 actually had more smarts and control than their real-world counterparts of today. lol.
278217
That's a good one, reminds me of that story "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov.  You should read it, everyone should read it.
169255
Read 1984 by George Orwell. Then you will understand. Also read On Liberty, By John Stewart Mill, especially the section on the tyranny of the majority. You might also check up on John Simpsons description of pre revolutionary Romainia. In short, if you agree with absolutely all the Government does, Big Brother is your friend, but if you agree with everything the Goverment does, then you wouldn't have that many friends anyway.
478924
That's why British have become so paranoiac!!! I could not first understand George Orwell in his first book "animals farm" but he made himself clear in "1984". \nIt's really sad how  technology becomes satanic in the hands of insane greedy politicians. Between us: we don't have a better situation in Iran! I guess this disease is contagious.
525379
Ever read 1984?  There you go!
54881
sparknotes.com is the best website ever for free cliff notes, it helped me in college enormously.. \n\nhere is the section on Fahrenheit 451 http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/451/\n\n..and it is an amazing book, you really should read it.. it might take a bit to grasp the higher level concepts, but spark notes will help with that, skim through it and then when you really read the book you'll understand more of the 'big picture' . it's one of those books where the main idea is one that will shake you to the core, once you understand the political and social implications. 1984 is better though, read 1984 if you haven't already. similar to 451 but.. better.. \n\nof course, there is also the movie, but as i recall from high school it really really sucked. :)
540358
Hi Chris, given the restrictions I'm not sure if this will be of help, anyway have a look and see what you think.\n\nFahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury\n\nI have found  9 summaries for you to look at, via the links below. \n\nhttp://www.antistudy.com/search.php?title=Fahrenheit+451\n\nhttp://www.freebooknotes.com/results.php3?title=F\n\nhttp://www.sparknotes.com/lit/451/\n\nThese links will give you a summary of the book, character analysis, plot and much more, so that you will be able to answer literary questions. A short extract is included as an example of what you can expect from the summary\n\nIn the last two years, however, a growing discontent has grown in Montag, a “fireman turned sour” who cannot yet name the cause of his emptiness and disaffection. He characterizes his restless mind as “full of bits and pieces,” and he requires sedatives to sleep.  …..\n\nhttp://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/LitNote/id-106,pageNum-31.html\n\n1984 by George Orwell\n\nI have found 18 summaries for you to look at, click a link below. I have included a short extract to give you a taste of what the reviews have to offer and they’re FREE..!!!\n\nhttp://litsum.com/1984/\n\nhttp://www.freebooknotes.com/book.php3?id=1\n\nhttp://www.antistudy.com/free_book_notes/1984_.php\n\nPlot Overview\n\nWinston Smith is a low-ranking member of the ruling Party in London, in the nation of Oceania. Everywhere Winston goes, even his own home, the Party watches him through telescreens; everywhere he looks he sees the face of the Party’s seemingly omniscient leader, a figure known only as Big Brother. The Party controls everything in Oceania, even the people’s history and language. Currently, the Party is forcing the implementation of an invented language called Newspeak, which attempts to prevent political rebellion by eliminating all words related to it. Even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such thoughtcrime is, in fact, the worst of all crimes.  More…..\n\nhttp://www.freebooknotes.com/page.php?link=http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/&book=1\n\nAdditional Resources\n\nWelcome to Charles' George Orwell Links\n\nOn this site you'll find the best of Orwell's essays and books as well as reviews, news articles and images. In addition, there are hundreds of links to other Orwell web sites.\n\nhttp://www.netcharles.com/orwell/\n\nBiographies and Bibliographical Information on George Orwell\n\nhttp://www.netcharles.com/orwell/bio.htm\n\nGeorge Orwell Biography\n\nhttp://www.netcharles.com/orwell/articles/george-orwell-biography.htm\n\nEssays on George Orwell\n\nhttp://www.netcharles.com/orwell/ctc/essays.htm\n\nTIME MAGAZINE\n\nGeorge Orwell\n\nhttp://www.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,1101831128,00.html\n\nOrwell Up Close\nOn the 100th anniversary of his birth, a clutch of new biographies explores the wintry genius of George Orwell — a hero claimed by left and right\n\nhttp://www.time.com/time/europe/magazine/article/0,13005,901030630-460190,00.html\n\nGood luck.\n\nKevin, Liverpool, England.
265075
www.millenniumpromise.org\n\nAlso, I highly recommend reading "The End of Poverty," by Jeffrey Sachs.  He's an economist and a big wheel at the UN and also a professor at Columbia University.  I got the book out of the library just to have something to read.  I wasn't expecting much.  I stayed up until 4:00 a.m. reading, got a little sleep and finished the book at midnight.
212686
No! If you get used to having them around then you wont protest enough when the govt wants to put one in your yard, then your living room and so on. read (if you haven't) these 2 books. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury and 1984 by Gorge Orwell. They are fictional accounts of where the camera in the hall mentality ends up if we let it. Whats amazing to me is how these two books (written many years ago) tell of us.
306963
NICE question. Because we're LITERALLY 'dumbed down\nyou read 1984? the book isn't just idle speculation; has FAAR more parallels than you'd believe.\nthe reason people are kept dumb? easier to rule.\n\n--and for those who wanna know how america came to be rich; it's because of slavery.
331607
www.cheathouse.com/essay/ essay_view.php?p_essay_id=12167\n\nAlthough you should read it yourself rather than relying on the work of others. I usually recommend www.sparknotes.com but this particular selection was not available there. Good luck.
55341
I like this one!! I read Orwell's epic a long time ago,as time went on I couldn't see it.Now as a man of 58 years, my feelings have changed.I consider myself of above average intelligence,I've lived a pretty good life,I've particapated in two wars,been around the world twice.My views of George's work has also changed.The man had a sight akin to Nostradamas,some of the things he wrote of are showing signs of coming to fruition,these are just my views of course,but as time goes on the things he penned can linked to the way our future is progressing.Just a thought.
94039
Thanks for the link. Although I have so much to read already, I may have to get that book. I also don't need anyone to tell me that Communism is run by thugs, all power structures have the same problem, e.g. the GOP in this country albeit in a different way.
547515
pretty interesting to know so much info about myself its like the book 1984
219711
You are so hot AND you think about this stuff.\nAnything is possible.\nThe whole country changed from the actions of a handful of people.\nHave you seen some of the quarantine plans to deal with Bird Flu?\nThere are theories that the very top of the power pyramid want population control.\nThat really means a reduction in world population by 80%\nNever allow implanted tracking chips.\nOh sure in 50 years (or less) it may be called money.
574133
Welcome to the Orwellian version of America.\n\nRemember always that "war is peace"
24224
aldous huxley - brave new world\ngeorge orwell - 1984\nanthony burgess - a clockwork orange\njoseph heller - catch-22\nkurt vonnegut -  slaughterhouse-five, or cats cradle\nlois lowry - the giver\nrobert heinlein - stranger in a strange land\n\nnot much for rand's philosophy myself, but i enjoy books that speak to the universal nature of humans.\n\ncheers!\n\nps - a bonus gift - a hard-to-find short story by harlan ellison, titled levendis or the man who rowed christopher columbus ashore.