Considering avoiding, or rather living and thriving in this, the latest edition of 1984 surrounding us, the words of the French philosopher (of the absurd), Albert Camus comes to mind; "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."
Interestingly, I stumbled upon a similar one in Boethius's "Cosolation of Philosophy" earlier today.
"The only way one man can exercise power over another is over his body and what is inferior to it, his possessions. You cannot impose anything on a free mind, and you cannot move from its state of inner tranquility a mind at peace with itself and firmly founded on reason."
It's crazy. This was written in the year 524, and he's essentially saying the same thing.
When I write about this stuff it feels like the problem is so 'new,' yet people have been dealing with despotic leaders and virtually every other 'modern' problem for millennia.
Anyway, geek-out over—I think this stuff is really cool.
Camus nailed it with the myth of Sisyphus 'find joy in the struggle', now is the time to flex that muscle. Becoming free is not for the weak of will. I have way too many days where I fail to push that rock up the hill.
Melissa, you have given me a new perspective of 1984. Like most people, I always read the book as a prophetic and dire warning. Framing it as political satire will probably result in a very different reading of the book. Last time I read the book was in the early 2000's and I decided to highlight all of the things that had basically come to fruition - needless to say, many of the pages were very yellow. 😏
Now you have given me a reason to visit it yet again with an eye to see the satire.
I'd also like to commend you on the idea of 'building in public' with your book. I have been of the same mind with a book I am working on - it is one of those projects that I have been dabbling with for years and I need to put it in order, I figure no better way than to post selections from it as articles and get feedback from actual readers. See what is working and what is not.
That's awesome! Glad this article worked as intended, haha :)
The 'satirical' aspect of the book didn't become clear to me until I read a lot of Orwell's nonfiction, but now, I have trouble looking at the book as anything else. As you'll see if you follow along with this project(which I really hope you do), virtually everything he writes about in the book can be traced back to his nonfiction.
However, someone on here pointed out that he was working with British intelligence (possibly against his will) so it's possible that he did have some inside knowledge of the future that wasn't readily available during his time.
I hope you decide to publish your book the same way! These sprawling, years-long projects can be so hard to piece together; it seems like this will be a great way to do it.
Melissa, I think you nailed it in your assessment of Orwell writing satire “on steroids” as it were. Looking forward to more installments of this work which is really needed now more than ever.
"Satire 'on steroids'"—I like that!! Thanks for reading. I hope the project becomes a conversation; everyone's perspective on this stuff is a little different. And you're right; the topics Orwell took on have only gotten more relevant as time goes on.
This project is a long time coming. I’m proud to be a part of this publication and look forward to reading what you’ve put so much work into.
Considering avoiding, or rather living and thriving in this, the latest edition of 1984 surrounding us, the words of the French philosopher (of the absurd), Albert Camus comes to mind; "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion."
I love it! That's a quote to live by.
Interestingly, I stumbled upon a similar one in Boethius's "Cosolation of Philosophy" earlier today.
"The only way one man can exercise power over another is over his body and what is inferior to it, his possessions. You cannot impose anything on a free mind, and you cannot move from its state of inner tranquility a mind at peace with itself and firmly founded on reason."
It's crazy. This was written in the year 524, and he's essentially saying the same thing.
When I write about this stuff it feels like the problem is so 'new,' yet people have been dealing with despotic leaders and virtually every other 'modern' problem for millennia.
Anyway, geek-out over—I think this stuff is really cool.
Camus nailed it with the myth of Sisyphus 'find joy in the struggle', now is the time to flex that muscle. Becoming free is not for the weak of will. I have way too many days where I fail to push that rock up the hill.
Right on, Bro James!
Melissa, you have given me a new perspective of 1984. Like most people, I always read the book as a prophetic and dire warning. Framing it as political satire will probably result in a very different reading of the book. Last time I read the book was in the early 2000's and I decided to highlight all of the things that had basically come to fruition - needless to say, many of the pages were very yellow. 😏
Now you have given me a reason to visit it yet again with an eye to see the satire.
I'd also like to commend you on the idea of 'building in public' with your book. I have been of the same mind with a book I am working on - it is one of those projects that I have been dabbling with for years and I need to put it in order, I figure no better way than to post selections from it as articles and get feedback from actual readers. See what is working and what is not.
That's awesome! Glad this article worked as intended, haha :)
The 'satirical' aspect of the book didn't become clear to me until I read a lot of Orwell's nonfiction, but now, I have trouble looking at the book as anything else. As you'll see if you follow along with this project(which I really hope you do), virtually everything he writes about in the book can be traced back to his nonfiction.
However, someone on here pointed out that he was working with British intelligence (possibly against his will) so it's possible that he did have some inside knowledge of the future that wasn't readily available during his time.
I hope you decide to publish your book the same way! These sprawling, years-long projects can be so hard to piece together; it seems like this will be a great way to do it.
Melissa, I think you nailed it in your assessment of Orwell writing satire “on steroids” as it were. Looking forward to more installments of this work which is really needed now more than ever.
"Satire 'on steroids'"—I like that!! Thanks for reading. I hope the project becomes a conversation; everyone's perspective on this stuff is a little different. And you're right; the topics Orwell took on have only gotten more relevant as time goes on.
Some great distinctions already…