1984, akin to Animal Farm, were anti-communist fiction. The latter a great satire for children, however cautionary tale of the Three Pigs (Communist). But, now we can view it the other way around.
Having come to ‘Homage To Catalonia’ before ‘1984’, I never imagined ‘1984’ to be about anything other than the despots who populate our political landscape.
Fascism only thrives under capitalism, as the weapons doled out to them during the Spanish Civil War proves, (and probably every other conflict).
I've always thought he took the worst of both, the lies of fascism and the mass disappearances and altering of history under stalinism.
Criticism was piled on Orwell from all sides of left for attacking stalinism our allies at the time and a essay he wrote about the magnetism of Hitler.
Perhaps now modern state capitalism and particularly the Chinese version with human credit scores and massive servellance and state control of information are closest to Orwells dystopian future, a system the American futurist like Musk and Bill Gates aspire too. H G Wells books on futurism where he argues for a educated elite to run the world a idea which was hijacked by Ford and Rockerfella and made dark has influenced our current global elites, may be part of Orwells vision
Yes I'm sure that's right. I attended the Aspen Ideas Festival a few years ago, a sort of self-indulgent talk fest for rich Americans, very much reflecting their interests (not sure why they invited me!). A hall-full of attendees was asked if they wanted the US to be more like China. Over half the audience put up their hands.
Have you read 7000 Days in Siberia by Karlo Stajner he was a Yugoslavian communist who was arrested around 1931 and Tortured to give up 10 more names but he refused and was down for execution but the thinks they never killed him because the paperwork was incomplete as they didn't have his confession
Fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Carne. So much food for thought. Not least a reminder of why we bother with Shakespeare. Once we can understand him, we realise he understands us! It’s also made me want to re-read 1984.
A most insightful read. I’m of the opinion that 1984, the trial,the Castle, and Brave new world between them just about predicted every element of the dilemma we find ourselves in with astounding accuracy
Well put Carne a solid inference necessary for the somewhat oblique interpretations of the Orwell classic. Indeed he had a much greater understanding of the systems in place on behalf of totalitarianism which encompassed the USSR but interconnected the whole power, profit, and control enigma to elucidate embedded capitalist, colonial imperialist dreams of a strategy they think is foolproof. Only a fool believes that but who am I to negate the majority?
1984, akin to Animal Farm, were anti-communist fiction. The latter a great satire for children, however cautionary tale of the Three Pigs (Communist). But, now we can view it the other way around.
Having come to ‘Homage To Catalonia’ before ‘1984’, I never imagined ‘1984’ to be about anything other than the despots who populate our political landscape.
Fascism only thrives under capitalism, as the weapons doled out to them during the Spanish Civil War proves, (and probably every other conflict).
Yes, good point. Thanks for commenting. I wish I had seen it sooner.
Wish I had seen that interpretation of Orwell earlier, not seeing your comment sooner!
I've always thought he took the worst of both, the lies of fascism and the mass disappearances and altering of history under stalinism.
Criticism was piled on Orwell from all sides of left for attacking stalinism our allies at the time and a essay he wrote about the magnetism of Hitler.
Perhaps now modern state capitalism and particularly the Chinese version with human credit scores and massive servellance and state control of information are closest to Orwells dystopian future, a system the American futurist like Musk and Bill Gates aspire too. H G Wells books on futurism where he argues for a educated elite to run the world a idea which was hijacked by Ford and Rockerfella and made dark has influenced our current global elites, may be part of Orwells vision
Yes I'm sure that's right. I attended the Aspen Ideas Festival a few years ago, a sort of self-indulgent talk fest for rich Americans, very much reflecting their interests (not sure why they invited me!). A hall-full of attendees was asked if they wanted the US to be more like China. Over half the audience put up their hands.
Have you read 7000 Days in Siberia by Karlo Stajner he was a Yugoslavian communist who was arrested around 1931 and Tortured to give up 10 more names but he refused and was down for execution but the thinks they never killed him because the paperwork was incomplete as they didn't have his confession
His book was when I realised that Russia's economic miracle was based on slavery not a planned economy
Good tip Nigel, thank you. I will check it out.
Fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Carne. So much food for thought. Not least a reminder of why we bother with Shakespeare. Once we can understand him, we realise he understands us! It’s also made me want to re-read 1984.
I'm loving your stack by the way
Thanks so much Emma. Lovely to hear from you.
Thank you.
A most insightful read. I’m of the opinion that 1984, the trial,the Castle, and Brave new world between them just about predicted every element of the dilemma we find ourselves in with astounding accuracy
Yes I agree. I also think Kafka writes much the better novels.
Well put Carne a solid inference necessary for the somewhat oblique interpretations of the Orwell classic. Indeed he had a much greater understanding of the systems in place on behalf of totalitarianism which encompassed the USSR but interconnected the whole power, profit, and control enigma to elucidate embedded capitalist, colonial imperialist dreams of a strategy they think is foolproof. Only a fool believes that but who am I to negate the majority?
Ha. Thanks Robin. Indeed, who are we to question the majority? But we must follow where the breadcrumbs lead us.