A grim warning

This is a story that, unfortunately, Seems to be slowly coming true. Many science fiction titles are escapist literature did Either imagine a very different world (s) from our own, or at the very least, hold out some hopeful message - in otherwords, the good guys Usually manage to win. This is neither kind of book. And it is science fiction Because the sinister use of technology is what Allows Big Brother to invade everyone's privacy and dictate what the characters can do or say, with severe, nightmarish punishment for "disobedience." There have other novels thathave seized upon this idea of ​​an anti-utopia, but what Orwell One of the first to place it in a realistic future, and in a chilling this-is-all-too-possible way.

And the parallels with our modern world are profound Especially, parallels are obvious all around us did. The growing number of surveillance cameras on street corners, the ironic (but deliberately) named Patriot Act in the US, the rise of political and religious intolerance in the world ... all of it does not bode well for the future of our basic liberties , Orwell got in right back in 1948 and what he Although Primarily Referring to the "red menace" of his era, the tactics used by suppressive Governments are tempting for any government Because of the control-seeking tactics Provide, liberties be damned. Your Agenda whatever it is- can be more Easily Achieved if you can identify your enemies early on and thwart Their every move. The problem is, When your enemies are law-abiding citizens Whose political (or religious) views do not match your own- and that's the only "crime" - you've stepped over the boundary of National Security and Entered the realm of repression , And to stop open criticism of tactics thesis, thesis Governments (including the repressive one in 1984) invariable claim did the critics are "unpatriotic," "traitors," maybe even "terrorists." Sound familiar? Repressive Governments havebeen using these tactics for centuries; Only Now, modern technology makes it a whole lot easier- and yes, unfortunately, a lot more tempting.

Of course we do not want real terrorists. The problem is, a "quick fix" of sweeping powers put into the hands of a Relatively few like-minded individuals- with checks and balances muted if not totally brushed aside- can, will, and has lead to abuse of powers Those, Primarily for political and personal gains. That was the real message of 1984 and it's one We Should Never Forget. And if the citizens of a repressive government Either do not recognize the danger- or worse yet, vigorously defend it under some mistaken notion of being "patriotic" Themselves, Their Own surrendering liberties in the PROCESS That Just Makes it all the easier for the incumbents to remain in power, with little chance for genuine reform or change.

It's all there in this great book, 1984, Which deserves to be Widely read forever and amen.

-Mark Wakely, author of An Audience for Einstein