Nineteen Eighty Twenty Twenty Four

The following contains a massive spoiler for Nineteen Eighty Four, and I would much rather you read that than this post. 

 

If you haven't read the book, go read it. 

 

Like, now. 

 

Go ahead. 

 

This will still be here when you're done. 

 

 

   =   =   =   =

 

 

In fact, I believe there should be a law requiring people to read the entire book, and not just short extracts added to memes, before referencing it. It would do them well to read some of Orwell's essays on socialism, fascism, and democracy as well.

In the book, the world has been merged/absorbed into three superstates; Oceania, where the book is set, Eurasia and Eastasia.

 

We are regularly told that Oceania is at war with Eurasia. Oceania has always been at war with Eurasia. Eastasia is our ally.

 

But then, without any warning or explanation, it flips: Oceania is at war with Eastasia. Oceania has always been at war with Eastasia. Eurasia is our ally.

 

And I can't help but think of this when I see American so-called conservatives getting a massive despot-crush on Vladimir Putin, via Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson. 

 

Do you even remember when that guy was the enemy? Even Sarah Palin thought he was the bad guy as recently as 2008.

 

And look, I know you think the cold war is over but guess what: Putin doesn't!

And that's the whole ever-lovin' point!

 

Khrushchev must be kicking himself that an ambitious mid-level KGB drone used flattery and spambots to achieve what he couldn't with nuclear missiles.

 

I'm no body-language expert but which of these people looks like he got exactly what he wanted and which one looks like he's just been taken to the woodshed?