[_b8r0]

> If you haven't read 1984...

I'd also recommend that you read Aldous Huxley's Brave New World for a counterpoint. The sad part is that the way the world is going appears to be a mix of the worst elements of the two.

Of course, the perpetual war in 1984 was a big part of the story, but because we only ever see the world from characters living in Airstrip One, for all we know the war could've been over years ago.

[zokier]

Brave New World definately is a good pair for 1984.

http://www.totalitariers.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Brave...

(yes, the message of that image is debatable, but i found it intresting anyways)

[nik_0_0]

I've read these types of posts hundreds of times, and they never seem truthful, but here is mine: I just want to say thank you for that image. I would like to hear your thoughts on your note, why do you find the message is debatable, and if you know where the image is from? It says the text is from "Amusing Ourselves to Death" which has just made it to #1 on my to-read list.

I found the apt summary of Huxley's points (plus the jarring images) resonated strongly with my current views on my life, which prompted me to really do some self-reflecting and organize myself. In addition, it vibes very strongly with the "create, not consume" mantra found here on HN.

[zokier]

I'm sorry but I don't know the original source of the image, it is one of those which just circulate on the internet. It has a web address at the bottom though, maybe it would give hints of its origin.

I feel that that image dismisses Orwells vision too easily, and attempts to make the situation seem more black&white than it actually is. As iuguy noted, the real world seems to be a blend of both, a viewpoint that the image ignores.

[ctchocula]

I really agree with your point. It reminds me of an article written by The Atlantic some time ago with the provocative title "Is Google making us dumber?". It talked about how easy it is to find information using Google, but albeit that we're being bombarded by so much information that nothing really sticks. Sometimes I find myself spending hours and hours on Wikipedia and articles on the web that seem to only leave a faint impression in my mind.

The "create, not consume" mantra seems like a good way out of this endless cycle of "Amusing Ourselves to Death".

[acheron]

_Amusing Ourselves to Death_ is very good. It was written in the early 1980s I believe, but if anything it feels more relevant now than ever. (Or it did when I read it in college 10 years ago.)

[fennecfoxen]

As long as we're throwing out reading recommendations, if you're into the dystopian-future sci-fi genre I'll point out C. S. Lewis's That Hideous Strength as an early prototype of that genre. It documents the fall of a nation into dystopia, specifically; George Orwell himself was fascinated by this, as evidenced by the book review he published. (However, his praise was qualified, it was apparently a bit too much C. S. Lewis for his style in the end. He went on to address the very objections he raised when he wrote 1984 not too very long afterward.)

It's the end of a trilogy but you can operate it as a standalone book (and if you must start with the other books, Out of the Silent Planet is a cute little homage, but don't let the dense and somewhat-dull Christian allegory in Perelandra get you down and make you skip Hideous.)

[pooriaazimi]

I haven't read anything in this thread yet, but my eye caught 1984 and wanted to second your recommendation. Brave New World is without a doubt, one of the best books I've ever read. Hard to believe it was written 80 years ago.

I like to listen to audiobooks (when commuting), and BNW's audiobook (produced by BBC) was also great: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012QED5Y

[pacaro]

In the same vein, "This Perfect Day" by Ira Levin should be mentioned in the same breath...

http://www.amazon.com/This-Perfect-Day-A-Novel/dp/160598129X...

[pooriaazimi]

Looks perfect, thank you. I got its audio-book and will listen to it!

And I noticed she (Ira Levin) had written "Rosemary's Baby" - I had no idea the movie was an adaption! http://www.amazon.com/Rosemarys-Baby-Ira-Levin/dp/1605981109

[pacaro]

Every single Ira Levin novel [1] except This Perfect Day has been made into a movie...

IIRC this instance of an Ira is a "he" not a "she"

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ira_Levin#Novels